One of the best things to come out of 2023 is undoubtedly the entertainment that kept on giving, from one great new release to another, this past Cinematic year was definitely giving class, sass and quality. Don’t get us wrong, there were definitely a few questionable choices that gave us nothing, but this New Year is all about celebrating wins, and these TV shows from last year deserve their flowers.

Blood sisters

Blood Sisters is a no-brainer in our books, this show was the highlight of 2022 after its release in May. The series has been described as the first Nigerian Netflix Original series, and it’s also described as one of the best. The plot will leave you on the very edge of your seat, and the star studded cast will leave you wanting more, and more. Blood Sisters touches on very important subjects such as abuse, domestic violence and death, there’s certainly a lesson or two to be learnt from this show, and while it was entertaining, it was a very necessary evil in enlightening people of the dangers of being in an abusive relationship.

The four-part thriller series had the internet buzzing, from the sisterhood between the two main characters portrayed by Ini Dima-Okojie and Nancy Isime, to the investigative discovery of Kola’s psychotic nature, the show did a great job of telling a story in the most thrilling and gripping ways possible. This limited series was a huge step in the right direction for Nollywood, the series secured massive love from fans, and it also introduced Genoveva Umeh, a fast rising Nollywood actress to the world. 

Far From Home

Far From Home might be the new kid on the Netflix block, but it will definitely go down in history as Netflix’s first Nigerian original High School series. There are so many things the show does right in drawing in a younger audience, and even though some critics were not quite impressed, the show sat at #1 trending shows in Nigeria for a long time after its release at the end of the year. The storyline of Far From Home is showing us what we’ve been missing; Wilmer Academy is a dream come true for fans that need more Nigerian young adult shows in their lives.

The cast of the show was perfect and the character development of each character will leave you loving, obsessing over or hating them. From fan edits of the Far From Home show, to the unhealthily cute amount of swooning over Reggie, played by Natse Jemide, this show definitely gave Nigerians a taste of the Nigerian Highschool experience, and with any luck, the second season would be even better than the first.

Riches

Riches on Prime Video may not be strictly Nigerian or based in Nigeria, but it is definitely Nigerian through and through. This drama series captured and is still capturing the hearts of an international and Nigerian fanbase, it has everything; from beautiful British-Nigerian actors, to a storyline filled with so much drama and excitement. Riches is on the nose in terms of Nigerians in Diaspora, it gives us a look into the life of a British-Nigerian family and it’s safe to say that fans are here for the drama.

Nigerians at home and abroad are loving this show and can’t get enough of it already. So if you’re looking for a show with a stellar cast and plot, this is a series that won’t disappoint, it is easily one of the best shows that infuses Nigerian culture in the international scene. 

Young, Famous & African

Young, Famous & African is an African Reality show, it also happens to be a first for Netflix in the African Reality Television department. Like all reality shows, Young, Famous & African is all shades of messy, and Nigerians love themselves some drama to talk about. The show focused on media personalities from parts of Africa like South Africa, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, and let’s not forget Nigeria! What’s better than living vicariously through a bunch of rich A-list African celebrities? 

Personalities like Diamond Platnumz and his ex-girlfriend/business woman, Zari Hassan will give you the drama you need to get through the day. Let’s not forget about the Nigerian icing on the African cake, the relationship between Annie Macaulay-Idibia and her musician husband 2Baba! Their relationship was put on the spotlight once again, and we couldn’t help ourselves. It was sweet, teary, dramatic, salty, messy, all the ingredients that make up a good reality show. 

Both Netflix Nigeria and Netflix South Africa announced the renewal of the reality show, it is set to make its debut sometime in 2023, and we can only hope for more drama and an even better storyline. 

The Real Housewives of Lagos

The Real Housewives franchise is one of the biggest in Reality Television history, and in 2022, Nigerian housewives became part of the drama-filled franchise. It was first aired in April, and Nigerian twitter had a field day talking about it, every other day. The show follows the lives of six  powerful and glamorous women in Lagos, but you can’t have Glamour without rock solid tension. 

The drama that ensued between some of the women of this reality show made the rounds on the internet. From Iyabo Ojo, to Laura Ikeji, Chioma Ikokwu, Carolyna Hutchings, Toyin Lawani-Adebayo, expect a life of luxury, shopping sprees, vacations, parties and the whole socialite shebang on this Reality TV show.