Just like Will Smith, Serah Teshna plays dual characters in 'Igiza'

ELIZABETH MUSYIMI ENTERTAINMENT JOURNALIST

19 May 2022

• The TV crime thriller is set against the backdrop of Nairobi’s fashion and wash washy industry

Actress Serah Teshna has for the first time taken on a role of a dual character in Showmax's new thriller 'Igiza.'

Serah takes on c ahhleneging role where she plays two twin sisters Linda and Nicole, reminiscent of Will Smith in Gemini Man.

Will Smith faces his younger self in Gemini Man. Smith plays an assassin coming face to face with himself -- a younger version who's out to kill his older self and take his place. The thriller, was directed by Ang Lee.

In Igiza, Sera Teshna's two characters; Linda and Nicole come face to face in the first episode too.

Set against the backdrop of Nairobi’s fashion industry and the infamous wash wash, Igiza is a story of revenge between twin sisters Linda and Nicole.

Twelve years into serving time, Nicole breaks out of prison and takes the place of her identical twin sister Linda, who framed her. Nicole intends to take back everything she is owed. But there is only one obstacle: her sister’s seemingly wonderful life is filled with dark secrets that threaten to destroy her.

Speaking about her role during the panel Q&A session, lead Serah Ndanu described her dual role of twins Linda and Nicole as a very intense process that was quite daunting at first, especially in scenes with both characters together.

“Igiza being a first of its kind and also having this much pressure, I was always dreading those scenes of Linda and Nicole together but I’m so happy that they turned out to be some of the best scenes,” Serah said.

Denise Mwende, Showmax Content Specialist in East Africa, affirmed that Showmax is more invested than ever in local content, with Igiza being the fourth Showmax Original in Kenya in less than a year, with more to come in 2022.

“It’s been a good year for local content at Showmax.As a key player in the entertainment industry, we are proudly Africa’s greatest storyteller. The episode you’re about to watch tonight is one of our proudest yet, not just because we’ve had the chance to collaborate with world-class talent on a local stage but we also get to share these stories with the world, where even Kenyans in the UK and other parts of the diaspora have a taste of home.”

Director Abdi Shuria expressed his appreciation to the cast and to the writers who have worked with him in rigorous workshop sessions to bring to life a story that so many Kenyans will relate to. F

Igiza will officially premier on Showmax on Monday 23 May, with new episodes releasing every Monday.

On Wednesday, Showmax treated guests to an exclusive screening of the first episode of the new thriller at the Nairobi Street Kitchen unanimously hailed as a strong debut by all those present.

The event was hosted by Kiss FM presenter comedian Oga Obinna.