Written by Sarah Atuaka
In November 2024, Hollywood Knocked. Nigeria Answered (Sort of).
When the casting call for the film adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone hit in November 2024, it came with a tantalizing promise: male and female actors living in Nigeria were invited to audition. Fast forward to January 22, 2025, and the star-studded cast was unveiled. Cue fan cheers, internet squeals… and some side-eye.
While the announcement of the star-studded cast has sparked joy and excitement in the heart of fans and the internet, it has also aroused heated discussions on representation, authenticity and even aspects of colorism.
But Where Are the Nigerian Stars?

The lead heroine, Zélie Adebola, is set to be played by South African actress Thuso Mbedu. And while she’s undeniably talented, fans can’t help but ask: where are the Nigerian actors living in Nigeria?
For a story rooted in pre-colonial Yoruba culture and set in the fictional kingdom of Orïsha (a not-so-subtle nod to Nigeria), the absence of homegrown stars feels… off. Sure, Hollywood loves to sprinkle some “international spice” into black stories, but when you’re tackling a culture as rich and specific as Nigeria’s, shouldn’t the flavor come straight from the source?
The Plot (and Cast List) Thickens
The book follows Zelie Adebola, the lead female character, as she fights and attempts to restore magic to the fictional kingdom of Orïsha that exists in pre-colonial Nigeria. Other characters are introduced with these cast to play them:
- Thuso Mbedu as Zélie Adebola
- Tosin Cole as Tzain (Zélie’s brother)
- Amandla Stenberg as Princess Amari
- Idris Elba as Lekan
- Viola Davis as Mama Agba
- Damson Idris as Prince Inan
- Cynthia Erivo as Admiral Kara
- Lashana Lynch as Jumoke (Zélie’s mother)
- Regina King as Queen Nehanda
- Chiwetel Ejiofor as King Saran
- Diaana Babnicova as Folake
- Bukky Bakray as Binta

Impressive? Yes. Local? Not quite.
Hollywood’s “Africa Is a Country” Syndrome
This casting decision has fans grumbling—and with good reason. Nigerian culture is rich with subtleties: accents, slang, pronunciation, and those tiny behavioral quirks that only indigenous actors can bring to life. But instead, Hollywood seems to have opted for a pan-African buffet, blending actors from across the diaspora. It’s giving major “Africa is a country” energy, and fans aren’t impressed.
Colorism: The Elephant in the Room
Now, let’s talk about color(ism). One of the book’s core themes is the pride Zélie takes in her dark skin—it’s central to her identity. While Thuso Mbedu is dark-skinned, fans have pointed out that her complexion is lighter than Zélie’s described tone in the book.

This casting choice has sparked debates about Hollywood’s ongoing struggles with colorism in black stories. Why does this keep happening? Is it a matter of “marketability,” or is it just another oversight in the industry’s approach to representation?
Questions That Need Answers
The big questions remain:
- Where are the Nigerian actors?
- If they’re cast, will they be given minor roles or a chance to shine in the spotlight?
- And most importantly, how will Hollywood navigate these recurring representation missteps?
Let’s hear it, Crackko fam—what do you think about the cast? Does it live up to the hype, or does it miss the mark?
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