Reno Omokri Criticizes Casting of Idris Elba in Upcoming “Things Fall Apart” Series
Social commentator and former presidential aide, Reno Omokri, has expressed disappointment over the decision to cast British actor Idris Elba as the lead role of Okonkwo in the upcoming TV series adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Omokri questioned the producers’ choice to overlook Nigerian actors for the iconic role, noting that many talented Nigerian stars could have portrayed Okonkwo more authentically. He suggested actors like Kanayo O. Kanayo, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Yul Edochie, and Ramsey Nouah as better alternatives.
Omokri pointed out that it feels like a stretch to cast Elba, an actor of Sierra Leonean and British origin, and then rely on dialogue coaches to teach him how to sound like Achebe’s Okonkwo. He emphasized that a Nigerian actor would be better suited to represent the character, considering the cultural and linguistic nuances of the role.
He also expressed surprise that David Oyelowo, the producer of the series and someone with Nigerian roots, would approve this casting decision. According to Omokri, Oyelowo, whose mother is of Igbo descent, should have been more familiar with the need to have a Nigerian actor play such a pivotal role in Nigerian literature.
I admire Idris Elba, but it beats me as to why the producers of the soon-to-be TV series based on Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart chose to snub a Nigerian actor to play the lead role of Okonkwo.
If they think Kanayo O Kanayo is too old (he is not), what is wrong with Chiwetel… pic.twitter.com/vSMeBfN6cO
— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) September 28, 2024
