Desperate Housewives Africa
African housewives navigate secrets and scandals on Hibiscus Lane.
Desperate Housewives Africa, also known as Desperate HWA, is a Nigerian comedy-drama-mystery series that serves as a Pan-African adaptation of the American television series Desperate Housewives. It premiered on Ebony Life TV on 30 April 2015 and features an ensemble cast including Joseph Benjamin, Kehinde Bankole, Omotu Bissong, Nini Wacera, Michelle Dede, Marcy Dolapo Oni, and Linda Osifo. The show was shot in Lekki and minimally adapted to African themes while retaining the main plot and character roles of the original.
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Mystery
- Comedy drama
- Soap opera
- Creator
- Marc Cherry
- Based on
- Desperate Housewives, Marc Cherry
- Screenplay
- Debo Oluwatunmi
- Director
- Quinty Pillay
- Narrator
- Marcy Dolapo Oni; See full list
- Theme music
- Danny Elfman
- Composer
- Steve Bartek
- Stewart Copeland
- Steve Jablonsky
Facts from the source article.
Plot
The series examines the seemingly normal suburban lives of African women as they pursue their aspirations through family, career, and relationships, set in a middle-class development on Hibiscus Lane on the Lekki Peninsula in Lagos. It opens with the shocking suicide of Rume Bello, a beautiful housewife known for her warmth and generosity. From her elevated perspective, Rume comments on the lives of the friends she left behind. Her intimate circle includes Tari Gambadia, a divorced single mother seeking love; Funke Lawal, a former corporate high-achiever now a stay-at-home mother of four whose children cause a scene at Rume's wake; Ese De Souza, a devout and perfectly groomed housewife whose family rejects her façade; and Kiki Obi, an ex-Nollywood actress and trophy wife whose marriage to movie financier Chuka Obi fails to satisfy her, leading her to an affair with her personal trainer, Tai Etim. Neighbors include Rhetta Moore, a twice-divorced real estate broker with a voracious sexual appetite who competes with Tari for newcomer Larry Izama, who has a hidden agenda. Tensions rise as Kay De Souza asks Ese for a divorce, Chuka treats Kiki like an employee, Shina Lawal remains oblivious to his wife's desperation, and Deji Bello expresses his grief by suspiciously digging up his garden. Rume narrates the series, providing insight into the mysteries and conflicts of these four women.
Production
Auditions for various roles were announced in December 2013. Mo Abudu, the CEO and executive producer, led the production, which was directed by Quinty Pillay. Cast members were mainly from Nigeria, and character names were changed to African names for the new setting. Michelle Dede played Tari Gambadia, Nini Wacera played Ese De Souza, Kehinde Bankole played Kiki Obi, Omotu Bissong played Funke Lawal, Mercy Dolapo Oni played Rume Bello, and Linda Osifo played Rhetta Moore. Joseph Benjamin played Chuka Obi, Jason Dwoga played Larry Izama, Femi Branch played Deji Bello, Ben Touitou played Tai Etim, Ozzy Agu played Shina Lawal, and Samuel Robinson played Akin Bello. On July 30, 2015, the show went on a production break to replenish the remaining nine episodes, resuming on September 3, 2015, from the fifteenth episode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who created Desperate Housewives Africa?
Desperate Housewives Africa was created by Marc Cherry.
Which network aired Desperate Housewives Africa?
Desperate Housewives Africa aired on Ebonylife TV.
How many episodes of Desperate Housewives Africa are there?
Desperate Housewives Africa has 23 episodes across 1 season.
When did Desperate Housewives Africa end?
Desperate Housewives Africa last aired on 29 October 2015.
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