by Thinus Ferreira
MultiChoice's video streaming service has commissioned its first Showmax Original series from Ghana, with Shirley Frimpong-Manso's Sparrow Studios producing ENO as a 13-part drama series that will debut on Showmax in March.
ENO, set in Accra, follows Abena Baafi (Gloria Osei-Sarfo) as a single mother determined to meddle in her
three daughters' lives by steering them towards the path of rich suitors.
Unfortunately for her, her daughters - played by Mariam Owusu-Poku, Esi Hammond and Emelia Asiedu - have minds of their own.
John Dumelo, Godwin Namboh, Peter Ritchie, Brian Angels, Michael Katahena, Kabutey
Ocansey and Kelvin Sarpong Jr have supporting roles in ENO and is helmed by filmmakers Shirley Frimpong-Manso and Ken Attoh as director and
producer respectively under their Sparrow Studios banner.
Sparrow Studios is behind the Ghanaian telenovela Dede, the romantic drama The Perfect Picture and its sequel The Perfect Picture: Ten Years Later, as well as the romantic comedy film Potato Potahto.
"I was immediately drawn to ENO because
of its female-driven narrative," says Shirley Frimpong-Manso.
"In spite of the fact that the main character,
Abena Baafi, is described as a woman who is cunning and even greedy, I love her
zeal to succeed against all the odds."
"The fact that she is
determined to see her daughters make better choices than she has, shows me a
mother's honest attempt to right her past wrongs through the children she so
dearly loves, even if she doesn't get it right every single time."
"The success of this series will set the stage for much more original Ghanaian-produced content on Showmax. I am convinced this will happen and help accelerate the growth of the Ghanaian film and TV industry," she says.
Ken Attoh says ENO is fitting as a first Ghanaian
Showmax Original. "It is visually
entertaining, drama-filled and a completely relatable African story with Ghanaian
nuances".
"It highlights some of the
pressures we all experienced at one point growing up and even as adults, either
from our parents or family members."
“The success of this series will set the stage for much more original Ghanaian-produced content on Showmax. I am convinced this will happen and help accelerate the growth of the Ghanaian film and TV industry,” Shirley says.
