Riona

Last updated

Riona
Riona Poster.jpg
Genre Period Drama
Written byIfeanyi Barbara Chidi
Directed byJames Omokwe
StarringFrank Konwea
Elvina Ibru
Mimi Chaka
Country of originNigeria
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes260
Production
Executive producerJames Omokwe
ProducerJemila Akinwale
EditorJessica A.
Running time30 minutes
Production companyFeemo
Original release
Network Africa Magic
Release28 September 2020 (2020-09-28) 
24 September 2021 (2021-09-24)

Riona (Riy-OW-Naa) is an Africa Magic original period drama set in a 12th-century Itsekiri kingdom. [1] It was directed by James Omokwe. It stars Big Brother Naija season 1 housemate, Frank Konwea, Elvina Ibru, Najite Dede and Mimi Chaka. It premiered on September 28, 2020. [2] It airs on DStv channel 151 [1] and streams on Showmax.

Contents

Plot summary

The kingdom of Oyomere is under siege when a prophecy about a child born under the rising of a dark moon is coming to destroy King Ofotonku and bring his reign to an end. This unsettles King Ofotonku and he orders the killing of children born under the dark moon to avert the prophecy, but four of the targeted children survive. Of the four, Tsema and Aghan (Ofotonku's heir) cross paths by chance, for they are children born under the dark moon and destined to bring down Ofotonku's dictatorship. Riona also tells the story of social classes; The highborn Omajaja and the low born Irale and their struggles for freedom.

Cast and characters

Main characters

Source: [3]

Supporting characters

Production and release

Riona is set in pre-colonial times of the Itsekiri Kingdom around the 12th century. The Itsekiri people live in the westernmost part of the Niger Delta bounded by the Bight of Benin on the west. [1]

It was listed as one of the top 5 Nigerian TV series of 2020. [4]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryRecipientResultRef
2022 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards Best Africa Magic Original Drama SeriesJames OmokweNominated [5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "5 Reasons We Are Excited About Africa Magic's New Telenovelas". TNS. 24 September 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  2. "Africa Magic's Riona Casts Spells, Charm & Drama on Its New Audience". TNS. 30 September 2020. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  3. Ceves, James (22 January 2021). "Riona on Africa Magic DSTV: A glimpse into an enticing African-themed series". Briefly. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  4. "5 Top TV/Web series of the year [Pulse picks 2020]". Pulse Nigeria. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
  5. "2022 Africa Magic Awards Nominees don land- See who dey list". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 26 March 2022.