Showmax, a leading streaming service in Africa, set the stage on fire with the premiere of its latest original series, 'Princess On A Hill', at the ongoing Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in Lagos.
The anticipation was palpable as the audience eagerly awaited the performance of this captivating drama.
The exclusive screening took place on Thursday at Filmhouse Cinemas, Oniru and attracted notable guests including Big Brother Nigeria season 9 stars Nelly, Sooj, Zion and Fairme.
The series stars Onyinye Odokoro, Bimbo Manuel, Efa Iwara and Iretiola Doyle.
Produced and directed by Tolu Ajayi and Abiola Sobo, it explores the dark and high-stakes world of corporate power.
Princess On A Hill delves into themes of power, ambition and the high cost of success. The story follows Zara, who, after winning the reality show Leading Ladies, is thrust into the most powerful boardroom in Nigeria and tasked with saving the company from decline while resisting the influence of its enigmatic and controlling leader.
The series is now streaming on Showmax and new episodes will be released every Thursday throughout November.
Article page with justification for Princess On a Hill financial support promotion
In a post-screening briefing, producer Ajayi, known for his acclaimed feature film 'Over the Bridge (2023)', attributed the concept of 'Princess on a Hill' to the deeply intuitive nature of corporate culture.
The producer said: “Corporate life is like a big theater. I've been in boardroom battles, seen companies rise and fall, and witnessed how people change over time. They start out bright-eyed, but their psychology changes as they rise, with goals and promotions. Those realities are at the heart of Princess On A Hill. “We don’t see many corporate dramas in Nollywood so I have to congratulate the team at Showmax for greenlighting this project.”
Director Sobo, known for the television series 'Inspector K (2017)', also revealed how the series was brought to life.
He said: “Princess on a Hill almost fell into our lap. It started with Chuka Ejorh from Blinks Studios, Tolu Ajayi from Saga City and my partner, Folashayo Oke. We were eager to collaborate on something impactful and Tolu presented the story with an intriguing perspective. It quickly became a passion project as we analyzed the plot and explored the dramatic framework. “We had to make sure the lighting and atmosphere helped elevate the suspense and intensity you feel when watching the series.”
Princess on a Hill Producers and CEOs Speak at Portrayal of Character Screening
Explaining why Onyinye Odokoro was chosen to play 'Zara', filmmaker Ajayi said: “It's Onyinye. Every time we see her, something about her presence resonates, and every time the camera rolls, she delivers exactly what we're trying to communicate.
“Zara's journey from obscurity to the corporate elite is something many could imagine when reading about industry tycoons and tycoons. We deliberated on creating Zara as a true underdog rising from immense difficulties to the top of the corporate ladder in Lagos, someone the audience can really root for.”
Producer Ajayi also commented on the power of today's reality shows, which was portrayed in the series, noting that reality shows are the theater of today.
He said: “People find the person they relate to or vibe with the most, and that becomes their choice. Now, with social media, we are constantly auditioning for attention, acceptance, and connection with others. It was essential to include that aspect of current reality in our story.”
Efa Iwara in Princess on the Hill Review
'Princess on a Hill' follows the story of a young girl, Zara Osara (Onyinye Odokoro), who, after much preparation, wins a prize of 15 million naira in a reality show (Leading Ladies) organized by Lawson Group, a company that he deeply admires. Despite her victory, she is overwhelmed by family responsibilities as the first daughter and little by little she is spending the prize on her mother's weekly dialysis, which exceeds one million.
Zara, a communications manager at the DBX call centre, is also plagued by financial problems, including increasing pressure from her landlord, Mr Osita, to pay back rent. Her mother, Mrs. Osara (Ngozi Ezeonu), a source of emotional support, prays for her daily, underscoring Zara's family-oriented values and responsibilities. Her close friend, Menny, who recently suffered a painful breakup, encourages her to stay true to her values and quit if things become too toxic, adding complexity to her personal life. Still, Zara is determined to persevere and provide for her family.
Iretiola Doyle in the series
One day, he receives a surprise call from the Lawson Group and is offered an internship. Despite her perceived potential and reality show reputation, Zara starts in an entry-level position, where her ideas are overlooked, and quickly realizes that her journey will require work. Surrounded by manipulative colleagues, including Mr. Obiora (Efa Iwara), the womanizing head of communications, and other high-ranking but morally ambiguous figures, Zara finds herself in a high-stakes corporate environment that challenges her ideals, her relationships, and her self-perception. . .
She is surprised by the company's gesture of providing her with a driver, Mr. Saheed, to accompany her home, but soon becomes uncomfortable when Mr. Saheed takes an unexpected detour. As her suspicions grow, she is dropped off at a mysterious location and taken to a strange, frightened room, where she confronts Moyosore Lawson (Bimbo Manuel), the enigmatic CEO and chairman of the Lawson Group, who supposedly died in an accident. air. Moyosore presents Zara with a tempting but morally ambiguous offer: a role of influence in exchange for a “great sacrifice.” He advises her to consider the proposal carefully for a week.
Onyinye Odokoro as Zara Osara in Princess on the Hill
As she struggles to balance her financial burdens and her attractive position, Zara confides in Menny, who advises her to maintain her integrity. After careful thought, Zara finally returns to the bewildered CEO. She accepts his offer to act as a spy to obtain sensitive company information, but insists on whether her role will involve anything unethical. The story builds suspense as Zara finds herself on the brink of a new chapter, ready to face the challenges of a high-stakes corporate world while trying to stay true to her values.
Casts at the screening
Princess on a Hill critiques the corporate culture of performance and shows how ambition can challenge one's own morals. Zara's journey reveals the tension between professional goals and personal values, highlighting the sacrifices and compromises that are often required to succeed in a world where the stakes are high.