Nikki May has shared her excitement over the television adaptation of her bestselling novel Wahala, currently in production at BBC Studios.
Speaking in an interview with The Nollywood Reporter, May described the novel as a reflection of the experience of navigating multiple cultures.
“I wanted to see people like me on the page; strong, sassy Nigerian-British women, who mix jollof rice and aso ebi with focaccia and Lululemon,” she said.
Set in contemporary London, Wahala follows the lives of four British-Nigerian women as friendship, identity and class tensions begin to reshape their relationships.
May also explained that she intentionally wanted the story to focus on friendship, ambition and identity rather than trauma-driven narratives often associated with Black storytelling.
“That is part of our stories,” she said, “but stories like Wahala also exist.”
The six-part series stars Adelayo Adedayo, Deborah Ayorinde, Cush Jumbo, Susan Wokoma and Genevieve Nnaji. The adaptation is led by BAFTA-nominated writer and executive producer Theresa Ikoko.
Reacting to the cast, May said: “To see this brought to the screen by the BBC with a powerhouse of Nigerian women I admire is a dream come true. Theresa! Cush! Adelayo! Susan! Deborah! All legends.”
She added: “But when I found out Queen Genevieve was in the mix, my heart stopped. Dreams do come true. Being shortlisted for the Nigeria Prize for Literature in 2025 was huge. This is even bigger. And yes, wahala dey o!”
