Mo’ money, Mo’ money, Mo’ money, Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife TV has signed a co-production deal with Disney to debut the African version of Desperate Housewives in 2014. This lady is making moves and striving to bring quality programing to the African entertainment industry.
The drama/comedy series will be filmed in Lagos Nigeria, starring a pan-African cast. While the main format will remain the same, the version will have a unique cultural format. Desperate Housewives will air in 44 countries across Africa. The American version gathered a huge following in Nigeria as well over the years, and will likely be a success amongst African viewers.
Mo Abudu, CEO of EbonyLife TV said, “We are going to make it relevant, number one, by using local talent — talent that our viewers will know and love; two, we are going to work with local stylists, local fashion designers, local interior designers.”
The series has already has four versions in South America : Argentina, Colombia, Brazil and Turkey.
“We are going to give the stories an African flavour. We will localize it, because there’s nothing the West has that Africa doesn’t have. We love, we fight, we kiss and we make up. We like all the good things in life. There’s good and there’s evil globally. So all those human interests, those things that appeal to you, believe me, appeal to us also.” Mo Abudu added.
The Nigerian series will be filmed at Africa’s very own “Wisteria Lane,” the Adiva Estates. The upscale gated development along the Lekki Expressway is very similar to the American show.
Co-production with Disney likely means production will be on point and of high quality. Disney will surely have a strict quality control over the series and the story line will be similar to the U.S. version.
EbonyLife TV will be working with DO.ii designs and Agatha Interiors on furniture design for the Desperate Housewives sets. On dressing of talent, EbonyLife TV will be partnering with stylist Veronica of Vane-Style and major Nigerian designers to include Bridget Awosika, Ella & Gabby, Jewel By Lisa, Kareema Mak, Lanre Da Silva, Meena, Me-Li, Needle Point, Odio Mimonet, Phunkafrique, Toju Foyeh, etcetera.
Talks are also ongoing with a number of potential sponsors to take advantage of this once in a lifetime opportunity that will undoubtedly deliver increased brand awareness, massive brand building and huge propensity to purchase.
With this exciting news, the question on everyone’s mind is, which actresses from our continent will make up the ensemble of cast in the Nigeria-set Desperate Housewives Africa? We wait to see.
