Beyond The Veil (Season 2): Navigating Tradition, Friendship, and Modernity in Northern Nigeria

“Beyond The Veil” follows the daily lives of modern Northern Nigerian women, addressing issues like polygamy, drug abuse, gender-based violence, forbidden relationships, and unstable family dynamics. The series highlights the unique journeys of five Northern women, focusing on the friendship between Nai’ma (portrayed by Jemima Osunde), Badriya, regard as “Baddie” (portrayed by Norah Ego), and Hanifa (portrayed by Maryam Booth). It shows how they navigate their individual lives while maintaining their bond. 

Na’ima appears happy and confident but is secretly struggling with anxiety and depression. Although she has a successful career in beauty care, she hides her true emotions behind a “dummy smile.” Among her friends, she is the wealthiest and most conscious of social class. Na’ima has a history of addiction and she is romantically involved with Mathew (portrayed by Vine Olugu), a Christian from the South, which goes against her cultural and religious beliefs.

Hanifa is a wife and mother who aspires to continue her education and pursue a career. She is the only married woman in the group and has two children with her much older husband, Ahmadu. Hanifa wants to advance her study and build a career, against cultural expectations, she want to have it all. Among her friends, Hanifa is the most mature, poised, and balanced. Despite her sweet demeanor, she is strong-willed and nonconformist.

Badriya is a social media influencer who projects a glamorous life online. However, she endures violence and abuse at home, which is hidden from her followers.

Zainab, portrayed by Ame Aiyejina, is a police officer with a strong bond with her grandfather. She has strained relationships with her parents and struggles to balance her love life and career. She is in love with her boss’s son, Kassim, who is engaged to another woman arranged by his family.

Surrayah, portrayed by Habiba Baba-Ahmed, is an expert in traditional medicine and herbal remedies. She is in love with Kassim and will do anything to make him fall for her. Surrayah is a clever and scheming herbalist trying to rebuild her life after a failed marriage.

The series emphasizes the importance of sisterhood, which ties all the elements together. Each woman strives to balance being true to herself, achieving her goals, and meeting societal expectations. This movie centers on women’s stories and struggles. It also showcases the affluent and educated Northern Muslim community, which I found very enjoyable.

“Beyond The Veil” premiered in 2023, created and directed by Nadine Ibrahim and Sifa Asani Gowon. It currently has two seasons, each with 6 episodes. Season two continues the main characters’ stories, improving production quality and introducing new characters like Tariq (portrayed by Andrew Bunting) to create a love triangle with Kassim (portrayed by Caleb Richards) and Zainab, regard as “Zizi” (portrayed by Ame Aiyejina). Nai’ma meeting Matthew’s family is another new element that adds depth to the series, making it resonate with its authentic and relatable storyline.

However, despite raising the stakes, the creators often play it safe, which prevent full immersion in the characters’ journeys, as they are careful not to cross boundaries. There are no major twists or surprises, making the plot predictable but still enjoyable. The women’s differing yet complementary stories add to the appeal, especially since the series centers on young, beautiful, ambitious, and independent female friendships. Set in Northern Nigeria, it focuses on Muslim characters from the Fulani/Hausa ethnic group, which adds a unique cultural perspective.

The series’ character arcs and storylines from both seasons intertwine significantly. Season two picks up where season one ended, with Nai’ma’s accident. To fully understand the characters’ journeys and their positions in season two, watching season one is essential. By episode three of season two, the story begins to stand on its own, making it accessible even to those unfamiliar with season one. As Na’ima grapples with past trauma during therapy, spiraling into dangerous territory, while Zizi faces personal and professional challenges. Tension rises as Badriya’s abusive marriage takes a perilous turn, prompting Zizi and Bilkis to intervene, leading to a pivotal moment of support from her friends. As secrets unravel and relationships evolve, each character navigates their own path toward healing and self-discovery amid life’s complexities.

Zizi finds a new love interest in her co-worker, Tariq, while still deeply in love with Kassim. Kassim, in turn, struggles to show affection to his arranged fiancée, Maryam. Maryam, a young and successful tech professional, is an intriguing character. Her ambition makes it easier for Kassim not to pursue Zizi wholeheartedly. The creator opts for a safe approach, only touching on the internal and external conflicts superficially. Even the cultural and religious differences affecting Nai’ma and Mathew’s relationship are not deeply explored, and the series does not aim to depict love overcoming these differences.

While the storylines of Nai’ma, Hanifa, and Badriya are familiar and have been explored before, Zizi’s character brings a unique element to the series. As a Northern woman working as a detective, her experiences and struggles provide a fresh perspective. Additionally, Surrayah’s character, deeply involved in traditional African beliefs and love potions, adds another layer of uniqueness. Her efforts to win Kassim’s love using these methods ground the story in African cultural practices.

Audiences who enjoy series centered around female friendships will find “Beyond The Veil” interesting, because the storylines are relatable and authentic, the acting is superb, and the cinematography is excellent. The production value is high, with a pleasing aesthetic and strong visual appeal. The women of “Beyond the Veil” are distinct and bold, portrayed as whole, nuanced, and relatable individuals. The men are equally well-developed, with personalities that are compelling and worthy of screen time. Almost every character is someone you can comfortably invest in.

Despite its merits, viewers accustomed to fast-paced, conflict-laden dramas might find the series less captivating due to its deliberate slow pacing, consistent with season one, and its lack of explosive moments. The creator opts for a more restrained approach. However, the series is good, thanks to its relatable characters.