Nigerian social media users are expressing concern over the casting of British actor Idris Elba as Okonkwo in the upcoming TV series adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel, “Things Fall Apart,” developed by American entertainment company A24.
According to Variety, Elba will not only portray the protagonist but also serve as an executive producer alongside Gina Carter under their 22Summers production banner. Nigerian filmmakers David Oyelowo and Amanda N’Duka are also attached as executive producers.
The series is described as “the story of Okonkwo (Elba), one of literature’s most iconic characters—a fearless African warrior and leader who is resolute about preserving his people and culture. As British colonizers disrupt his world, Okonkwo’s struggle to maintain power and tradition spirals into a heart-wrenching confrontation. His fierce resolve, a fatal flaw in the face of unstoppable change, makes him an unforgettable character, embodying the tension between strength, vulnerability, and adaptability.”
However, many Nigerian netizens are unhappy with the casting choice, believing that a Nigerian actor, such as Pete Edochie—who originally played Okonkwo in the 1987 miniseries adaptation—would be more suitable. They question Elba’s ability to authentically portray the Igbo character, including the use of Igbo language and proverbs that are integral to Okonkwo’s identity.
Others have pointed out concerns about Elba’s previous attempts at African accents, citing them as inauthentic or stereotypical.
Here are some of the reactions from social media:
@IfeanyiA “I know there’s a need to sell the product to a wider audience, but Idris Elba should not be Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart. Not when, at the very least, Chiwetel Ejiofor could easily play the role better as an Igbo man.”
@AdaObi “Casting Idris Elba as Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart is all shades of wrong. It’s so wrong, there’s nothing right about it. This is a story of pre-colonial Igbo land. Is he going to speak Igbo or will he condition his tongue to imitate the accent?”
@KemiWrites “I hate how foreign actors have Wakanda-rised our accents. There is nothing like ‘African accent.’ We speak English with impressions from our native dialects. Meaning, every tribe has a distinctive accent. Every country too.”
@ChukwudiU “The first film adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart was done by the Nigerian Television Authority in the 1980s, with Pete Edochie in the lead role. I know we are quick to jump on the ‘we don’t tell our stories’ bandwagon, but as usual, Nigerians don’t ask questions.”
@ChetannaB “Idris Elba to cast as Okonkwo in the new TV series adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. I don’t seem to understand it when an actor like Chiwetel Ejiofor is still well and alive. Make una think am well na!”
@TheCriticBlog “It’s no surprise that Idris Elba is set to feature as Okonkwo in the adaptation of Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. The mediocrity and substandard nature of Nollywood is nothing any reasonable person in Hollywood will want to be associated with.”
@PaulEchidi “Chiwetel Ejiofor or Uzor Arukwe for Okonkwo in this new movie of Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart over Idris Elba.”
@NnekaO said “Even if it’s about numbers, I still don’t like the idea of Idris Elba as Okonkwo in Things Fall Apart. Ahn ahn! Don’t we have good, talented Nollywood actors that can kill that role? Except it’s not the original Things Fall Apart they want to do sha. Why do they want to remake it sef?”
The casting of Idris Elba has ignited a debate on the importance of cultural authenticity and representation in film adaptations, especially of seminal African literature. Many Nigerians feel that local actors would bring a more genuine portrayal to the character of Okonkwo, preserving the cultural nuances that are pivotal to the story.