5 Kenyan stars shining bright in Hollywood – SHOWMAX
It might have taken a while but more and more African actors are finally getting their chance in the spotlight in Hollywood.
It’s a lot easier these days to spot African actors taking on memorable and important roles that continue to shape the world of television and cinema, such as Nigeria’s Yvonne Orji (Insecure) and Dayo Okeniyi (The Hunger Games), Uganda’s Florence Kasumba (Emerald City, Wonder Woman and Black Panther) and South Africa’s Pearl Thusi (Quantico).
Let’s find out who they are and where to find them on Showmax.
1. Edi Gathegi
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgKforiD06W/?hl=en&taken-by=iamedigathegi
Edi Gathegi is known for his onscreen charisma, whether he is playing the slick villain Mr Solomon in The Blacklist and its spin-off The Blacklist Redemption or the nomadic vampire Laurent in The Twilight Saga series.
In iGathegi plays Dr Jeffrey Cole, a Mormon doctor who is constantly getting picked on by Dr House for his faith. At one point he stands up to Dr House and defends his religion … using his fists.
House (S1-8) is available to binge-watch on Showmax.
2. Benjamin A Onyango
Benjamin Onyango is known for playing Reverend Jude in God’s Not Dead, but he got his first big gig in Hollywood playing the role of the President’s son’s bodyguard Colonel Emanuel Okeze in Tears of the Sun.
Featuring Bruce Willis and Monica Bellucci, Tears of The Sun tells the story of a Special Ops team sent to extract a doctor from a war-torn Nigeria following a coup d’état.
Tears of the Sun is now available to stream on Showmax.
3. Lupita Nyong’o
A post shared by Lupita Nyong’o (@lupitanyongo) on Mar 15, 2018 at 8:26am PDT
With her fearless portrayal of Nakia in Black Panther, and her upcoming roles as Trevor Noah’s mother in the Born a Crime film adaptation and as Viola Davis’ daughter in The Woman King, Lupita Nyongo’s Hollywood star just keeps shining brighter.
But before she ever won her first Academy Award or became a red carpet favourite and style icon, Lupita was the headstrong femme fatale Ayira in the first season of MTV’s Shuga, now available to stream on Showmax.
4. Owiso Odera
Before his sudden demise in November 2016, Owiso Odera was famously known for his brief but iconic role as Papa Tunde in The Originals.
Owiso Odera also joined Elizabeth McCord (Téa Leoni) to solve conflict in a West African nation in the first season of Madam Secretary playing the role of Ambassador Odilon Bokassa. You can also spot Owisa playing Demetrius Rowe in The Good Wife, Season 5.
5. Kiran Shah
Born in Nairobi, Kenya, Kiran Shah has featured in numerous movies as an actor and a stuntman, including his stint as Elijah Wood’s (Frodo Baggins) scale double in The Lord of the Rings movies and as Teedo in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
In The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Shah plays Goblin Scribe, a miniature goblin who records events in Goblin town and works as a messenger for the Great Goblin.
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