Genoveva Umeh’s Nollywood to South African Screen Journey

Genoveva Umeh exemplifies sophistication and grace in every performance, establishing herself as one of Nollywood’s most compelling talents. The British-Nigerian actress fell in love with acting while she was in secondary school and then pursued the craft by successfully completing a term at a part-time drama school in the UK. She performed a few plays at the Hammersmith Theatre in London during summer holidays, demonstrating the creative vision that would define her trajectory in the industry.

 

Her breakthrough came with standout roles in Netflix’s “Blood Sisters,” Nigeria’s first original series on the global streamer, and “Far From Home,” the country’s young adult Netflix series. These performances earned her critical acclaim, including a Best Actress nomination at the 2022 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards for her work in “A Tune Away” and an AMVCA win for “Breath of Life.”

 

Umeh has expanded her reach beyond Nollywood’s borders, securing a pivotal role in the South African production “Soccer Season: Playmaker,” where she portrays Coach Ofeimun—a dynamic young soccer coach mentoring an up-and-coming team. Her performance brings infectious energy to the role, showcasing her versatility as the sole Nigerian cast member in the international production.

 

With each role, Umeh continues to build a reputation as a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry, positioning herself for even greater achievements ahead.

 

In this exclusive conversation with The Nollywood Reporter, the actress discusses her recent projects, reflects on her unique experience as the only Nigerian in the South African production, and reveals her current watchlist as both an industry professional and film enthusiast.

 

Thank you so much for this opportunity. What have you been up to lately?

 

I recently spent a few weeks in London with my parents and little brother. It was such a nourishing way to start the year, surrounded by family and a few close friends. On the creative side, I just wrapped a short film that was an absolute joy to work on, one of those sets that reminds you why you love what you do. Now that I’m back in Lagos, I’m focused on creating more meaningful work and showing up where I can add real value.

 

With your recent projects, “Far from Home”, “Blood Sisters”, ”A Tribe Called Judah”, “Baby Farm”, and “Breath of Life” which you won an AMVCA, how was it like transitioning to an international project and how did you prepare for the role, especially while working in a different cultural setting?

 

“It was really affirming to be trusted with work outside of Nigeria. I’ve always believed in following the work wherever it leads, just like when I moved from London to Lagos as a young adult to pursue on-screen roles. Interestingly, stepping into an international project didn’t feel like a drastic shift, it felt like a natural progression. I love traveling for work, and I see every new setting as an opportunity to grow.

 

My African team, Agency 106, made the transition seamless. They handled communications beautifully and gave me space to show up fully as myself. In terms of timeline, we wrapped “Soccer Season” before filming “A Tribe Called Judah” and “Breath of Life,” so I was already in a strong creative flow by the time I stepped into this project.

 

Was there a culture shock when working on an international set compared to Nollywood productions?

 

The core principles of filmmaking: discipline, collaboration, and creative commitment were the same across the board. “Socer Season” felt familiar in that sense. But of course, there were small adjustments. Having lived in humid Lagos for years, I wasn’t quite prepared for 4am call times in the freezing cold! That was definitely a shock to the system, but it’s a fun memory now.

 

What was the most unexpected thing about the working style or set culture abroad?

 

There were two things that really stood out to me. First, the setup for outdoor scenes, especially the football matches—was surprisingly thoughtful. We filmed during peak winter, so production had these large, wedding-style tents on set, with portable heaters to keep us warm between takes. It was freezing at 5am, but there was always freshly grilled breakfast waiting. I’ve never had so many egg and bread sandwiches in my life!

 

The second surprise was lunch, usually South African pap, and a maize porridge with vegetables. It was hearty, comforting, and completely new to me. It’s those kinds of details, the care in how they fed and sheltered us, that really stayed with me. The set culture was incredibly mindful.

 

Has there been a role that pushed you outside your comfort zone in an unexpected way?

 

Playing ‘Ebun in “Baby Farm” really stretched me in ways I didn’t expect. Yes, she’s a Nigerian girl living in Nigeria. While that may sound close to home, the character demanded a deep shift in how I moved, spoke, and carried myself, especially her mastery of pidgin, which I had to lean into fully.

 

Physically, it was intense. I was on a no-carb diet for the role, and we filmed almost every day often with less than six hours of sleep. But it was worth it. I remember a tweet from my friend – filmmaker Fatimah Binta Gimsay, who said, “Actors who remove their skin and wear the skin of their characters. Genoveva Umeh c’est le numéro un mondial.”  That moment meant a lot. It reminded me that transformation is visible and that Ebun resonated beyond the screen.

 

You’ve played very distinct characters in different genres. Do you prefer a particular type of role or genre?

 

I honestly have no preference, it’s been such a gift to step into different worlds through each character I’ve played. I’m excited by roles that challenge me, stretch me, or show something I haven’t seen before. That said, I’d love to play a superhero, a spy, a teacher, or even a Disney princess one day. I’m also really keen to do voice work in animation. There are so many characters I feel aligned with and stories I’d love to help bring to life. I’m excited for what the future holds, it feels wide open.

 

Did working with a multicultural cast influence your own perspective on storytelling or performance?

 

Absolutely. I really admire how South Africans embrace the diversity of their ethnic groups and infuse their stories with local languages and cultural nuance.

 

Being part of a multicultural set like “Soccer Season” gave me a deeper appreciation for how culture can enrich performance, not just visually, but emotionally and spiritually. As Nigerians, we also have an incredibly rich cultural archive, and seeing those differences celebrated on screen creates space for connection. Culture is essential to storytelling, it opens the door for dialogue, empathy, and unity.

 

Can you describe a moment on any set that completely changed how you view acting or filmmaking?

 

One moment that changed everything for me was training with Drikus Volschenk, my acting coach and now Head of School at the Ebonylife Creative Academy. He taught us to trust ourselves, to take ownership of our process, our instincts, our presence. I began practicing that on the set of “Blood Sisters,” where I started sharing character ideas with my directors; the late Biyi Bandele and Kenneth Gyang, that opened up space for imagination and sensitivity. It was the first time I understood that powerful acting doesn’t come from ‘pretending’, it comes from feeling. The body doesn’t know it’s acting. That’s the feeling’s job. Once I let myself truly feel, everything about how I show up to work shifted.

 

What were some of the biggest challenges and memorable moments you faced filming in South Africa?

 

One of the most memorable things was how much fun we had off-camera. The cast got really into karaoke, especially on our rides to and from the set. It became a ritual and helped us bond in the best way. But hands down, the biggest challenge was the cold. It was freezing! We were filming outdoor scenes on a football field in the middle of winter. In between takes, we’d jog around in house coats just to stay warm. The moment the director yelled, “Cut,”  I’d sprint for my robe. I can laugh about it now, but at the time. It was brutal.

 

What’s one performance you gave that you felt particularly proud of — even if it didn’t get as much public attention?

 

This is a really good question. Back in 2019, I wrote and performed a one-woman play called “Home” in Bloemfontein, South Africa, at the University of the Free State. On the night of the performance… not a single guest showed up. But the show still had to go on. I performed it anyway as if the room was full. And I’m incredibly proud of that moment. I chose art over disappointment. It reminded me that I do this because I love it, not just for the applause.

 

What’s a typical day in your life like when you’re not on set? Can you share some of your favorite self-care rituals?

 

When I’m not on set, I really like to take time for myself. Being on set teaches you to give your best when the cameras are rolling—and to help create a positive experience for the whole crew. So when I’m home, I prioritize rest and reconnection. A typical off-day might include catching up with my family on FaceTime, watching a film I’ve been meaning to see, and treating myself to one of my favorite meals—something like amala with ewedu and gbegiri. I also make sure to get to bed early. Rest is a big part of how I reset and stay grounded.

 

As your career grows, has your approach to preparation or collaboration on set changed?

 

As my career grows, I’ve definitely become more intentional about preparation and how I show up on set. I’ve learned that the deeper I understand the character—and the clearer I am in my process—the more present I can be for the other actors, the crew, and the director.

 

I also value collaboration more than ever. It’s not just about delivering my performance, but about contributing to the whole ecosystem of a project. And yes, I’ve also started documenting and sharing more of the behind-the-scenes moments. It’s important to celebrate the people who make these stories come alive.

 

Lastly, can you share five movies you watched recently?

 

“I’ll share six. One; “Soccer Season: Playmaker.” I play Coach Ofeimun, a Nigerian football coach. It’s the first installment in a trilogy of films scheduled for release this year.

 

Two; “Forever.” I really hope this show makes more space for Black love and joy. It felt refreshing.

 

Three; “You (The Finale).” Wild ending! I had to pause and sit with it for a second.

 

Four; “The Residence.” Uzo Aduba was incredible. So layered, so grounded.

 

Five; “The Four Seasons.” Wholesome and genuinely funny. Sometimes you just need comfort TV.

 

Six; “Red Circle.” A Nigerian drama now showing in cinemas. It stars my faves, and I’m looking forward to seeing it soon.