ANOTHER STREAMING WEEKEND WITH KEHINDE BANKOLE

It comes as no surprise that Kehinde Bankole won the 'Best Lead Actress Award at the 2024 edition of the AMVCA AWARDS for her role in Adire. Her previous brilliant portrayal of Sista in Biodun Stephen's 2023 heartfelt drama could have fetched her the coveted Award. But if there were any backlash scepticism, her lead role in the critically acclaimed biopic Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, which incidentally was entered for the same Award, has finally proven that the hardworking actress who has been described as 'Nigeria's rarest performing Theatre & Film export', deserves nothing less.

Born in Lagos as a twin but hailing from Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria, Bankole began her journey with informal drama and music training during her school years. Initially, she entered the media world as a model in 2004, participating in the Ms. Commonwealth and Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria contests in 2003 and 2004, respectively, but without the desired outcome. Turning to acting, she got her break auditioning for Superstory through her twin sister, who was already a cast member of the popular TV show Binta & Friends. Her movie debut was in the Yoruba language movie Elerin Eye.

Her acting career gained momentum in the TV series Superstory, and she continued with feature and support roles in The Meeting Room and Two Brides and a Baby. Eventually, she secured a significant support role as 'Teacher Tawa' in Kunle Afolayan's October 1st. This role earned her first AMVCA 'Best Actress' nomination and won in 2015

Bankole's versatility is evident in her diverse roles, from Desperate Housewives of Africa to The Set-Up, Dear Affy, and The Prophetess. She has consistently impressed audiences with her range, including her internationally recognised role in the Netflix drama series Blood Sisters.

In 2022, she played the lead in Biodun Stephen's family drama Sista, alongside Deyemi Okanlawon and Bisola Aiyeola, which premiered in the UK. In 2023, she portrayed a repentant prostitute turned entrepreneur who fled to a small town to start a unique lingerie business. Her nomination and win for the 2024 AMVCA's Best Actress for Adire speaks volumes about her talent.

Bankole's background, discipline, and focus shine through in her outstanding portrayal of Olufunmilayo in Bolanle Austen-Peters’s 2024 critically acclaimed biopic. If FRK is submitted for the 2025 awards, her performance could earn another AMVCA nomination and a possible win.

Regarded as one of Nigeria's finest actors, Bankole is expanding her horizons into all spheres of thespian art. In 2024, she co-produced and starred in the critically acclaimed UK musical MW the Musical and was invited to join the cast of Anna Hibiscus’s Song for a UK tour, playing the pivotal role of Auntie Jolie, the storyteller. Previously, she played various stage roles, including Hermione Oya in Itan Oginintin, The Duchess (Iyalode) in Iyalode Of Eti, Queen Moremi in Queen Moremi Nigeria, and Chronicles of Iya Risi. In Animation, she was a cast member of the 2023 African sci-fi action animated series Kizazi Moto.

ScreenNolly invited you to a Streaming weekend with Ms Bankole in November 2022. We invite you to spend another immersive streaming weekend with Kehinde Bankole, the versatile and dimpled ‘Eleji Oke’ Nollywood screen diva.

- Jimi D Baldheaded Guy

Adire Netflix