After years away from the screen, Genevieve Nnaji is making a major return to acting with a role in the BBC’s upcoming drama series Wahala, joining a cast led by Cush Jumbo, Adelayo Adedayo, Susan Wokoma and Deborah Ayorinde.
The six-part BBC drama, which started filming on May 12, 2026, is based on Nigerian-British author Nikki May’s acclaimed debut novel Wahala, a story centered around four Nigerian-British women navigating friendship, identity, love, and class tensions in present-day London. The series reportedly follows a tightly connected friend group whose lives begin to unravel after the arrival of a wealthy and charismatic outsider.
For many viewers, the biggest talking point is Nnaji’s return. The Nollywood icon has largely stayed away from acting since starring in and directing Lionheart in 2018, making Wahala her first major screen role in several years.
The project is being adapted by BAFTA-nominated writer and director Theresa Ikoko, known for her work on Rocks and Get Millie Black. Ikoko also serves as an executive producer on the series, with BBC Studios handling global distribution.
The casting reflects the show’s Nigerian-British focus, bringing together actresses whose personal backgrounds closely mirror the world the story explores. With a cast blending Nollywood royalty and some of British television’s most respected Black actresses, Wahala is already shaping up to be one of the BBC’s most anticipated drama releases.