Mirror in the Sun is a Nigerian

soap opera A soap opera, or ''soap'' for short, is a typically long-running radio or television serial, frequently characterized by melodrama, ensemble casts, and sentimentality. The term "soap opera" originated from radio dramas originally being sponsored ...

written and produced by

Lola Fani-Kayode Lola Fani-Kayode is a Nigerian television producer known for the creation of '' Mirror in the Sun'' and ''Mind-Bending'', an educative and information television program about the dangers of drug addiction starring Joke Silva and Akin Lewis. She ...

in collaboration with the production company, Cine kraft Ltd. The show aired on the

Nigerian Television Authority The Nigerian Television Authority or NTA is a Nigerian government-owned and partly commercial broadcast station. Originally known as Nigerian Television (NTV), it was inaugurated in 1977 with a monopoly on national television broadcasting, after ...

network service every Sunday from January 1984 to January 1986. During its run, a total of 52 episodes were aired. The show was popular and successful in Nigeria where it attracted a large TV audience during its run.

Production

The plot of Mirror in the Sun was written by

who was also the show's producer and who sometimes directed episodes. Fani-Kayode and the firm Cine Kraft Ltd independently developed the concept of the soap in 1983 with the intention of seeking sponsorship from manufacturers of child care products. However, economic challenges faced by manufacturers made the show a tough sell to sponsors. The firm then approached the management of NTA which liked the script and approved its debut for January 1984. Fani-Kayode was involved with the writing and production of the first 39 episodes that aired before production was taken over by NTA which oversaw the production of the remaining 13 episodes. As the producer of the show, she became one of the country's high profile independent TV producers The plot of the show mirrors the lives of a group of middle and upper class Nigerian families living in a block of flats in the city of

Lagos Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the List of cities in Africa by population, second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national ca ...

. The show was a pioneer Nigerian television program that was located in an urban setting with upper and middle class characters while also satirizing the foibles of the rich in the city. This concept influenced other soap operas such as

Checkmate Checkmate (often shortened to mate) is any game position in chess and other chess-like games in which a player's king is in check (threatened with ) and there is no possible escape. Checkmating the opponent wins the game. In chess, the king is ...

Cast

* Lari Williams as Ladipo, head of the Ladipo family *Florence Edo as Ladipo's mother *Ameze Giwa-Osagie as Ebiere *

Barbara Soky Barbara Soky (born Bara Sokoroma) is a Nigerian actress and former singer who rose to fame in the TV soap '' Mirror in the Sun''. Following a hiatus after various roles in the 1980s and 1990s, Soky revived her acting career, appearing in Nollyw ...

is Yinka Fowole, a beautiful lady dating two people. She is in love with Tosan her age mate but was also dating a sugar daddy. *Omawumi Efueye as Tosan *

Clarion Chukwura Chief Clarion Chukwura (born Clara Nneka Oluwatoyin Folashade Chukwurah; 24 July 1964) is a Nigerian actress and humanitarian. Career She had her nursery and primary school in Lagos and later pursued her secondary education at the Queen of the ...

is Tinu, a university graduate in a relationship with two men. *

Enebeli Elebuwa Enebeli Elebuwa (1946–2012) was a Nigerian actor. Early life Elebuwa was born in the northern part of Delta State. He is an Ukwuani by origin from Isumpe quarters of Utagba-Uno in Ndokwa-West Local Government Area of Delta State. Death El ...

as Chike *Dupe Adetuwo is Ranti Tokunbo, a busy businesswoman but also an irresponsible mother. *Tuoyo Olley as Jimi Ajayi *Vera Adesanya as Boma *

Dolly unachukwu Dolly Unachukwu (born 1 November 1969) is a Nigerian actress, producer, writer, and director. She came to national prominence as Fadake Akin-Thomas in the TV series ''Fortunes''. Life and career Born in 1969 to a family of seven, Unachukwu st ...

References

{{reflist Nigerian television soap operas Television shows set in Lagos 1980s Nigerian television series Nigerian Television Authority original programming