“Why Idris Elba’s Casting as Okonkwo in ‘Things Fall Apart’ Divides Nigerians?”

On September 26, Variety exclusively reported that English actor Idris Elba will portray the lead character, Okonkwo, in the forthcoming television adaptation of Nigerian author Chinua Achebe’s 1958 novel Things Fall Apart. Elba is also set to executive produce the series alongside Gina Carter, utilizing their newly established production company, 22Summers.

Following the casting announcement, diverse reactions surfaced on the internet. For those unfamiliar, Idris Elba is a British-born actor, rapper, singer, and DJ with heritage from Ghana (through his mother) and Sierra Leone (from his father). Okonkwo, a character created by Chinua Achebe, is depicted as a leader in the Igbo village of Umuofia, located in colonial Southeastern Nigeria.

This casting choice has sparked a mix of praise and criticism. Detractors argue that Idris Elba’s accent and performance may not authentically represent the character, suggesting that a native Nigerian actor should have been cast for the role of Okonkwo.

For example, user X @A_Abby_Abi expressed dissatisfaction on X, criticizing the choice of Idris Elba.

“Hollywood is funny. Instead of casting actual Nigerians? Shiii,” the user wrote.

Numerous users joined the discussion on X, voicing similar sentiments.

“If they ain’t gon cast Nigerians then they shouldn’t make it. I hate when I hear stupid accents,” one user wrote.

“Whatever you want to do, use indigenous actors. Specifically, try and use actors that speak Igbo or have studied the language and culture. If not, it will just be a white movie with black actors. And that’s ewww,” another user added.

“‘Things Fall Apart’ without core Igbo Actors that have the right accent will never make sense. To h*ll with this nonsense,” commented another.

“Achebe would never permit this, if he was still alive. Imagine foreigners telling our stories. Why not use our own Nollywood actors like Enyinna Nwigwe, Stan Nze, or other good Nollywood actors to feature as the young Okonkwo, while Pete Edochie as the old Okonkwo,” another user remarked.

Conversely, many users praised the announcement, expressing eagerness for the adaptation of Things Fall Apart.

“It is good news, now I will be able to watch the life of Okonkwo, a proud and influential Igbo warrior, unfold on screen. A TV series adaptation of the literary classic Chinua Achebe’s ‘Things Fall Apart,’ with such a powerful story and a stellar cast will be worth watching,” wrote one netizen.

“That’s awesome news about the TV series adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s ‘THINGS FALL APART’! Having Idris Elba attached to star and David Oyelowo as a producer sounds like a fantastic combination. It’s always exciting to see such talented actors and creators coming together for a project,” wrote another.

“This is nice, love the choice of casting!” an individual commented.

“This will be interesting to watch. The series needs a global audience to retell the story of where the rain started beating Africans. I can understand the sentiment for an Igbo actor interpreting the role of Okonkwo, but to market this film globally they need an A-list actor,” wrote another individual.

As of now, Idris Elba has not publicly addressed the controversy surrounding his casting.

The television series, based on Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, is currently in development by the independent entertainment firm A24. Idris Elba and Gina Carter’s 22Summers will executive produce the project, alongside David Oyelowo, Amanda N’Duka, Ben Forkner, Dayo Ogunyemi, and Achebe Masterworks. The name of the screenplay writer has not yet been disclosed.

A24 originally reported on this project late last month, providing an official description stating,

“story of Okonkwo (Idris Elba), one of literature’s most iconic characters—a fearless African warrior and leader who is resolute about preserving his people and culture.”

It continues,

“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.”

This is not the first cinematic adaptation of Things Fall Apart. Previously, in 1987, David Orere directed a miniseries released by the Nigerian Television Authority, starring Nigerian actor Pete Edochie in the lead role. Prior to that, in the 1970s, an adaptation was produced by Francis Oladele and Wolf Schmidt which featured Princess Elizabeth of Toro, Johnny Sekka (as Okonkwo), and Orlando Martins, directed by Jason Pohland.

Things Fall Apart was Chinua Achebe’s debut novel and the first in the African Trilogy, followed by No Longer At Ease (1960) and Arrow of God (1964). Widely regarded as a seminal modern African novel, it has been translated into over 60 languages and has received the Man Booker International Prize and the Margaret Wong Memorial Prize, among other distinguished awards.

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