Veteran Nollywood actress Liz Benson is marking her return to the screen after a lengthy hiatus, starring in the upcoming film “A Mother’s Son” from producer Mercy Johnson and director Vincent De Anointed.
Benson, 58, was one of the biggest names in the industry’s boom during the 1990s before stepping away from acting for several years. Her comeback role in “A Mother’s Son” sees her joining a star-studded ensemble that also includes Mike Godson, Evia Simon, Ozioma Maurice, and George Inaibeh.
Footage from the set showed the cast excitedly welcoming Benson back, with the veteran actress expressing surprise at the warm reception, saying: “All the big people in Nollywood are here…It’s nice to see all of you in real life.”
The Akwa Ibom State native’s return has sparked excitement among fans and the industry. Benson rose to fame portraying Mrs. Agnes Johnson on the classic 1993 NTA soap opera “Fortunes” at age 27 after beginning her career as a child actress in 1971.
She went on to star in numerous 90s film hits like “Glamour Girls,” “True Confession,” “Diamond Ring” and “Scores to Settle” before briefly leaving acting in 1996 for faith-based reasons. Benson made a comeback around 2006 before becoming more selective, appearing in acclaimed projects like “Dry,” “Child Not Bride” and “Living Funeral.”
2024 is shaping up as a comeback year for Nollywood veterans, with Benson joining the recently returned Bukky Wright in Akay Mason’s “Red Circle” among the screen icons revisiting their roots.