Showmax Original 'Diiche' Sets A World Layered In Thrilling Discoveries

An Inside Nollywood fellow, Damilola, documents experiencing all of Nollywood at Showmax's premiere of its first Nigerian limited series, Diiche.

The perks of being a film journalist include getting first looks of films and shows, dressing up for film premieres and networking at industry events.

I attended the premiere of Showmax’s first Nigerian limited series courtesy of the Inside Nollywood Fellowship. I knew we'd be in for an adventure when the invitation stated chic with a hint of mystery. And this felt like I was in a cozy environment with a lot to eat and drink instead of the toomuchness I experience at film premieres,

Diiche has a vibrant mix of emerging and established Nollywood acts. Daniel K Daniel, Efa Iwara, Uzoamaka Onuoha, Frank Konwea, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, Kalu Ikeagwu, Chinyere Wilfred and Gloria Anozie-Young feature in the six-part psychological thriller created by Ifeanyi Chidi Barbara and directed by James Omokwe, Tolu Ajayi, Fiyin Gambo and Ifeoma Chukwuogo.

The project follows the story of the eponymous Diiche, an A-list actress who becomes a prime suspect in the murder investigation of her fiance and Nollywood top shot, Nnamdi Nwokechi. She must take it upon herself to find his killer to exonerate herself, but there is more to the case than meets the eye. A Backstory dating back 30 years and known only to her mother reveals a tussle between good and evil.

While conversing with some of the cast and crew, lead actress Onuoha stated that “working on a huge project such as Diiche gave me the opportunity to challenge myself as an actor and I am grateful for such opportunity”.    

Lucky Alex, who played the Dibia, also sounded grateful. “Working on this project is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me,” Alex mentioned.  “Because it allowed me  to showcase my talent in ways I never thought I could, and seeing myself on screen is a validation of hard work.”

The screening began at 8 PM. The opening scene creates a feeling that keeps the audience on their toes. We learn about the lead character Diiche, an emotionally unavailable actress with a history of failed relationships, and her manipulative fiance, Nnamdi ( Daniel K Daniel), whose death sets the plot in motion. As the whodunit it is, we have two police inspectors hunting for Nnamdi’s killers: the careless Samuel Kazeem (Frank Konwea) and the astute Inspector Ijeoma Anene, played by Uzoamaka Aniunoh.

The first episode is suspenseful and thought-provoking, setting the stage for an emotionally gripping series with themes Nigerians will relate to — and the audience's reactions show that Diiche holds some promise.

Diiche joins the list of intentional and daring stories from Nigerian filmmakers this year. Brotherhood blew us away with well-choreographed action scenes. Blood Sisters was a thrilling psychological drama that tastefully focused on family drama. And through For Maria: Ebun Pataki, we got an art-house film telling a thought-provoking story on postpartum depression while also setting a pace for a new kind of Nollywood film.

These projects are daring enough to compliment our increasingly stellar production values to appeal to audiences. Diiche is a great example of this. The story unfolds in a very layered world of thrilling discoveries and I can't wait to see how the story unfolds.