The casting of British actor Idris Elba as the lead in an upcoming TV adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel “Things Fall Apart” has sparked discussions among Nigerians, raising concerns over international studios’ involvement in African storytelling.
The series, which is being developed by A24 alongside Elba’s production company 22Summers and David Oyelowo’s Yoruba Saxon Productions, will feature Elba as Okonkwo, the novel’s central character. The project, currently in its early stages, does not yet have a writer or confirmed streaming platform.
However, the announcement has led to mixed reactions from Nigerians, particularly on social media.
Some users questioned whether African stories, like “Things Fall Apart”, are being adequately represented by international productions. One X (formerly Twitter) user commented, “They did this to “Half of a Yellow Sun”, and now “Things Fall Apart”. Haven’t they done enough?”
Nigerian producer Oge Obasi also weighed in on the debate, stating, “If you don’t tell your stories, others will tell them for you.” Obasi’s remarks highlight concerns within Nigeria’s creative industry about the need for more local collaboration on African narratives.
“Things Fall Apart”, regarded as one of the greatest works in African literature, has been translated into over 60 languages and has won several awards, including the Nigerian National Merit Award. The novel’s exploration of colonialism and traditional African culture makes its adaptation a sensitive issue for many Nigerian audiences.
While Idris Elba is an internationally recognized actor, celebrated for roles in “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” and “Beasts of No Nation”, critics argue that African stories should have more involvement from local filmmakers. Some have expressed a desire for greater collaboration between African and international filmmakers to ensure these stories remain authentic to their roots.
As the project moves forward, discussions continue around the representation of African culture in global media, with many Nigerians calling for more indigenous voices in the retelling of the continent’s most important stories.
Whether this adaptation will live up to the expectations of Achebe’s fans or not, for many Nigerians, the issue of who gets to tell Africa’s stories is as important as the story itself.