''Tinsel'' is a

Nigerian Nigerians or the Nigerian people are citizens of Nigeria or people with ancestry from Nigeria. The name Nigeria was taken from the Niger River running through the country. This name was allegedly coined in the late 19th century by British jour ...

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 ...

that began airing in August 2008. On 23 May 2013, the show's 1000th episode aired. It has been called "the most successful television drama on Nigerian television in recent times". On 21 Jan 2021, the show's 3000th episode aired.

Plot summary

''Tinsels plot revolves around two rival

film companies A film also called a movie, motion picture, moving picture, picture, photoplay or (slang) flick is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, feelings, beauty, or atmosphere ...

: Reel Studios, founded by Fred Ade-Williams (

Victor Olaotan Victor Olaotan (17 February 1952 – 26 August 2021) was a Nigerian actor best known in his leading role of the soap opera ''Tinsel''. Early life and education He was born in Lagos, Nigeria, in 1952. He studied at the University of Ibadan, Ob ...

), and Odyssey Pictures, headed by Brenda "Nana" Mensah ( Funmilola Aofiyebi-Raimi). Tinsel is a tale of drama, romance, betrayal and triumph. The show returned for its eighth season on 25 May 2015.

Cast

* Matilda Obaseki as Angela Dede *

Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, born Abibat Oluwafunmilola Aofiyebi and known informally as FAR, is a Nigerian actress. She has had a long-running radio show. She appeared in the film ''The Figurine'', Tinsel, and MTV Shuga. Life Funlola is the last of ...

as Brenda Nana Mensah (2009 – present) * Ireti Doyle as Sheila Ade-Williams *

Linda Ejiofor Linda Ejiofor (born Linda Ihuoma Ejiofor; 17 July 1986) is a Nigerian actress and model from Abia state known for her role as Bimpe Adekoya in M-Net's TV series ''Tinsel''. She was nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the 9th Af ...

as Bimpe *

Kalu Ikeagwu Kalu Egbui Ikeagwu is a British-Nigerian actor and writer. As an actor, he has received several awards and nominations for his performances on screen. Early life Kalu was born in England but was relocated to Nigeria by his dad at the age of ...

as Masters * Anne Njemanze as Sankey *Ashionye Michelle Raccah as Monica Ade-Williams *Funmi Holder as Amaka Ade-Williams *

Tomi Odunsi Tomi Odunsi Fadina (born 24 May 1987) is a Nigerian television actress, singer, and songwriter best known for playing "Salewa" in the television series, ''Tinsel'', a popular African soap opera. Tomi married Seun Fadina in 2016. The couple's ...

as Salewa *Yewande Lawal as Shoshanna *Dozie Onyiriuka as Freddy *

Abiola Segun-Williams Abiola Segun-Williams is a Nigerian actress, TV presenter, and scriptwriter best known for her role as Titi K in TV soap opera, ''Tinsel''. Early life She was born and raised in Lagos. Abiola finished her secondary education in 1983 and studi ...

as Titi (2008 – present) *Florence Uwaleke as Ene (2008 – present) *Ike Okechukwu as Chuks Obi * Charles Ujomu as Frank (2008 – present) * Oghenekaro Itene as Wedding Planner *Ibrahim Suleiman as Damini * Nini Mbonu as Vicky *Jumoke Bello as Peju *Ifeanyi William as Obiora *Paul Barnaby Ephraim "Jaypaul" as Adu

Day Players

Kunle Remi Kunle Remi, birth name Oyekunle Opeyemi Oluwaremi (born 18 October 1988) is a Nigerian actor, producer, filmmaker, content creator, host, motivational speaker, entrepreneur, and model. He has appeared in '' Falling'', ''Family Forever'', ''Ti ...

as Zane *

Tope Tedela Temitope Christopher Tedela (born 5 June 1990) is a Nigerian actor and producer. He has received several awards for his work including Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award, Nigeria Entertainment Award, Best of Nollywood Award and Nollywood Mov ...

*Kolade Shasi as Gym Coach *Yemisi Fancy as Helen *Christina Okorojie as Yvonne *

Nancy Isime Nancy Isime (born 17 December 1991) is a Nigerian actress, model, and media personality. Early life and background Nancy Isime was born in Edo State, Nigeria to Nigerian parents of Esan descent. After her senior secondary education in Benin, s ...

as Serena * Mena Sodje as Pippa * Cheng Fuller as Barrister Taylor *Sophie Kings-Okoli as Auntie Kemi

Production

''Tinsel'' was in

pre-production Pre-production is the process of planning some of the elements involved in a film, television show, play, or other performance, as distinct from production and post-production. Pre-production ends when the planning ends and the content start ...

for over ninety months. Over 500 actors were auditioned for the lead role of Fred Ade-Williams before the decision to cast Victor Olaotan was made. As of June 2013, the show's production cost per minute is 900 dollars, and total costs have exceeded four billion

naira The naira (sign: ₦; code: NGN) is the currency of Nigeria. One naira is divided into 100 ''kobo''. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is the sole issuer of legal tender money throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It controls the volume ...

. The show was shot in a studio in Ojota,

Lagos Lagos (Nigerian English: ; ) is the largest city in Nigeria and the second most populous city in Africa, with a population of 15.4 million as of 2015 within the city proper. Lagos was the national capital of Nigeria until December 1991 fo ...

until March 2013 when a fire destroyed that location. Since then the show has been shot at a studio and a private residence in

Ikeja Ikeja is the capital city of Lagos State in southwestern Nigeria. Its population, as of the 2006 census, is 313,196. Prior to the emergence of military rule in the early 1980s, Ikeja was a well planned, clean and quiet residential and commercia ...

. It airs on AM Urban and AM Family.

Awards and nominations

References

External links

*{{IMDb title, 2389428, title=Tinsel
Tinsel
o
Demand Africa
2008 Nigerian television series debuts Nigerian television soap operas 2000s Nigerian television series 2010s Nigerian television series Television shows set in Lagos M-Net original programming