Izzy Besta has opened up about her role in Ajosepo 2: The Gathering, the upcoming sequel directed by Kayode Kasum.
The actor and producer, known for Gone and Daughters of Water, plays Jemima, a newly introduced character in the film’s expanding story universe.
In a brief interview with The Nollywood Reporter, Besta described Jemima as “an ambitious baddie,” bold, confident and layered, adding that the character brings new energy to the ensemble-driven story.
Reflecting on the opportunity, she described the role as a defining moment in her career.
“There were so many ‘pinch me’ moments on set. I got to work with stars I grew up admiring and still admire today, and that’s the kind of opportunity so many actors dream and pray for,” she said.
Besta expressed confidence in the sequel’s scale, noting that expectations were high following the success of the first film.
“The story is bigger, the drama is on another level, and the characters feel incredibly real. These are people we see every day, which is what makes the film so relatable. If you’ve ever planned a wedding in a Nigerian family, then you already know ten things can go wrong at the exact same time,” she said.
She also noted that playing Jemima required her to step outside her own personality.
“The hardest part was that Jemima is nothing like me. I had to let go of myself and fully become the character. But that challenge made the experience even more interesting,” she said.
To prepare for the role, Besta said she focused on building a backstory for the character.
“I never want to play a character from a surface level. I drew inspiration from people I’ve encountered in real life, and I also worked with an incredible coach,” she said.
On the state of Nollywood, Besta said the industry is growing but still presents limited breakout opportunities for emerging actors.
She attributed this partly to distribution challenges, noting that audience support often leans toward familiar faces, making producers more cautious about casting lesser-known talent.
However, she added that there is a growing demand for new voices.
“I think audiences are hungry for fresh faces and fresh energy, and hopefully the industry continues creating more room for that,” she said.
Looking ahead, Besta said she hopes to challenge stereotypes around women in the industry.
“There’s this idea that women in entertainment have to sacrifice one thing for another, and I completely reject that. It’s 2026, we’re allowed to be ambitious, feminine, disciplined, successful, and still own our space unapologetically,” she said.
She added that her long-term goal is to be part of stories that resonate deeply with audiences.
“I want my work to make an impact, to reflect African experiences in honest and powerful ways, and ultimately leave a mark,” she said.
