The Phoenix Rises: Nollywood Actors That Reignited Their Careers in 2023

The Nigerian film industry known as Nollywood has grown tremendously over the past decade into a thriving hub of talented actors, directors and producers. And this year, we’ve seen several veteran and otherwise experienced Nollywood stars stage major career comebacks, reminding audiences of their immense skills and versatility.

2023 was a year where these actors reinvented themselves and gained renewed popularity through various projects that showcased their talents in new, exciting ways. From starring in critical darlings to viral internet sensations, these Nollywood veterans proved their mettle for reinvention and longevity at the peak of their careers.

In this article, we highlight six Nollywood established actors who breathed new life into their acting careers this year. These talented performers not only boosted their fame and rankings, but also displayed how artists can evolve their craft over the years. Their career reinventions also underline the growing opportunities in Nollywood for established actors to take on more complex roles.

The performances of these veteran actors this year have enthralled fans and critics alike. Their continued passion for the craft and ability to captivate audiences decades after first appearing on the screens speaks to their dedication and multifaceted talents. We explore how each of these actors grabbed attention in 2023 through their work and discuss the factors that contributed to their career resurgence.

Chidi Mokeme

One veteran actor who has staged a powerful comeback this year is Chidi Mokeme. The seasoned performer captivated audiences again with his brilliant performance in the hit mini-series Shanty Town on Netflix.

Mokeme has been in Nollywood for over 20 years and has been known for playing everything from romantic lead roles to similar styled roles in Nollywood dramas. Over the past decade, we have seen less and less of him on screen.

But this year, Mokeme made an impressive return by starring as Scar in Shanty Town. His thrilling performance as the dark and evil character revealed a side to him that others might otherwise never have guessed.

Mokeme’s impressive performance in Shanty Town underscores his range as a performer. His career reboot this year sets the stage for more compelling roles that build on his dramatic chops. At the peak of his abilities, Mokeme has shown he can captivate new generations of audiences.

Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD)

The veteran actor fondly known as RMD has made an illustrious comeback this year with his role in three hit projects – Shanty Town, The Black Book and Far From Home.

RMD first gained fame in the 90s for his roles in soap operas like Ripples and Out of Bounds. He became one of Nollywood’s biggest stars and a romantic lead icon. But his acting career slowed down in the 2000s as he focused more on politics and advocacy.

This year, RMD powerfully regained his stardom and critical acclaim. In Shanty Town, he played the villainous role of a political head using underground crime rings to get ahead while posturing as a heartfelt community builder. His versatility continued in Far From Home, where he plays a character a bit closer to home as the rich father of one of the secondary school kids in the movie.

RMD’s most talked-about role has been in The Black Book where he portrayed a father who goes seeking revenge on the people who killed his son. He displays a new and different side of him in this role as he takes on an action film unlike any other we have seen him in before.

With three top notch performances showcasing his talents, RMD has shown that his skills have only sharpened with time. His revival this year reminds audiences why he is highly revered. The variety and complexity of his latest roles reflect his range and consistency as a master performer.

Kehinde Bankole

The talented actress Kehinde Bankole has reestablished herself as a powerhouse performer this year taking on three multi-dimensional roles.

Bankole first debuted in the 2000s with roles in television shows like Super Story, however she gained major recognition in the late 2000s for her roles in popular films like October 1. She never really paused acting since then but this year her career gained new life with the roles that she chose and the acclaim the films went on to receive.

In Sista, Bankole played the lead role of a single mother who has suffered to raise her children after being abandoned by their father many years before. Only for the father to resurface and attempt to slide back into the children’s lives despite being absent for most of the struggle. Critics praised her nuanced acting and ability to translate inner turmoil. Her transformative role in Adire as well as Bankole’s portrayal of the activist Funmilayo Ransome Kuti have also truly highlighted her extraordinary talent.

With three phenomenal roles in one year, Bankole has shown she can captivate audiences with her sheer talent and dedication alone. Her career has risen like a phoenix this year as she tackled different genres and challenging roles. Bankole’s brilliance signals even greater heights ahead for the rising star.

Shawn Faqua

Unbeknownst to many, Shawn Faqua has had over a decade of work in the nollywood industry but has often been relegated to supporting roles and characters in easy to miss movies. However, this year Shawn has been involved in certain key projects that allowed him to highlight his skills to an even larger audience.

First among these is The Trade where he plays the role of an eager police officer who seeks to make a name for himself and capture the notorious kidnapper, Eric. Here, Faqua embodies that eagerness and zealousness to a tee and delivers a performance that audiences will remember.

He follows this up with his role in The House of Secrets. In THOS, Faqua truly shines as a passionate officer in love who is also determined to expose the secrets of his higher ups. The real unforgettable moments in this movie are in his scenes with Efe Irele and the undeniable chemistry that both actors are able to bring to life on screen.

Femi Adebayo Salami

The prolific actor Femi Adebayo has further cemented his status as a Nollywood icon this year taking on a diverse slate of roles across multiple hit films.

Adebayo has been a staple face in Yoruba films for over two decades. But this year, he expanded his repertoire into more mainstream movies.

In the epic Jagun Jagun, Adebayo gave a stellar performance as the antagonist, capturing the warlord’s fiery nature and emotion with gravitas. He is equally impressive to watch in Orisa. Adebayo revealed some of his comedic range playing a more modern role in Ololade.

By taking on diverse characters across genres this year, Adebayo has displayed tremendous flexibility and range as a performer. His revival indicates that even after decades in Nollywood, his passion for the craft remains unmatched.

Kelechi Udegbe

The actor Kelechi Udegbe has wowed audiences this year with his versatility through memorable performances in three hit productions.

Udegbe became known for his comedic roles in the early 2010s in Officer Titus. Over the years he has taken on more and more complex and laudable roles. This year, however, really saw him front and center in some acclaimed movies. First of which is The Trade, where Kelechi plays a relatively smaller role in the dark side alongside Blossom Chukwujekwu.

Udegbe also had a devious and villainous role in the Nollywood Netflix hit movie, The Black Book. However, he wins the year for his performance in the Sundance Festival award winning movie, Mami Wata. In Mami Wata, Udegbe portrayal of Jabi earned him continuous praises from audiences and truly opens audiences to the depth and breath of his untapped talents.

The sheer range and depth showcased by these Nollywood veterans in their work this year has compelled audiences and ignited critical acclaim. Their performances have proven that exemplary acting has no expiry date.

While the industry continues bringing in new talent, established actors like Mokeme, RMD, Bankole, Faqua, Udegbe and Adebayo have shown their mettle only becomes finer with time. Their career reinventions demonstrate the rewards of longevity through continuous evolution.

The key factors that enabled these comeback stories include the expanding opportunities in “New Nollywood” for nuanced roles beyond formulaic ones, collaborations with emerging directors and writers, and their drive to upskill and diversify. Most importantly, their undying dedication to the craft of acting has been the bedrock.

As Nollywood continues maturing into its next era, we hope to see more veteran actors challenge themselves with unconventional roles and genres. Their examples in 2023 have set a high bar for captivating performances through resilience, growth and experience. With their lasting star power, we eagerly await the next chapters in their remarkable careers.