When ‘Osamede’ opens in Nigerian cinemas on October 17, audiences will see a sweeping historical epic rooted in Benin’s past. But behind the battle scenes and cultural detail lies another story; the personal journeys of the cast who brought the characters to life. For many, the film is more than a role; it is a career highlight, a test of faith, and in some cases, a dream come full circle.
Ivie Okujaye, who plays the title role of ‘Osamede’, admitted she initially doubted if the time for her to play a superhero had passed. Having built a successful career and become a mother of three, she wondered whether the physical and emotional demands of such a role were still hers to claim. “I’ve always wanted to play a superhero,” she confessed, “But I thought maybe it was past my time.”
Yet on set, with her athleticism and energy, she proved not only capable but commanding. Reflecting later, she described the film simply: “‘Osamede’ is the highlight of my career.”
Her co-star William Benson, who plays Iyase, had his own moment of awe when he saw the film’s costumes and sets. “My first thought was Spartacus,” he said, recalling how the wardrobe reminded him of Rome and Gladiator. But the real challenge wasn’t the armor; it was the language. A blend of Delta and Edo heritage, Benson had to work through fears of performing in Bini. “The language scared me a bit,” he admitted. Support came in the form of dialect coach and cultural consultant Osagie Elegbe, who guided the cast through pronunciation while also appearing in the film.
Benson’s journey with ‘Osamede’ goes even further back. Long before stepping into Iyase’s shoes, he had watched the story unfold as a stage play at Muson Centre, directed by Ayo Ajayi. To return to the narrative years later, this time inside the armor of one of its most commanding figures, felt like a full-circle moment.
Even Elegbe, tasked with balancing language coaching and acting, faced his own hurdles. In one memorable cave scene, where Benson’s Iyase and Okujaye’s Osamede were about to clash, Elegbe was also in character but couldn’t stop glancing at the leads to check if they were getting the words right. Director James Omokwe eventually paused to remind him: “You’re in the scene as an actor, not a coach.” By the second take, Elegbe immersed himself fully into performance. The moment revealed how deeply entwined authenticity and storytelling were on set.
For Lexan Aisosa Peters, who plays Nosa, ‘Osamede’ was life-changing. Originally cast in a smaller role, he was bumped up to a lead, something he describes as “divinely orchestrated.” At the time, Peters had just started getting into shape, preparing for bigger opportunities. Suddenly, he was not only starring in his first feature film but also stepping into a part that would define his career.
The connection to Okujaye made it even more meaningful. As a secondary school student, Peters had watched her win the Amstel Malta Box Office competition and had been inspired to pursue acting. Meeting her years later, he admitted, left him star-struck. “She is beautiful inside out. She held my hand. When Omokwe wasn’t directing, she was my second director,” he said. Their bond wasn’t instant, Okujaye initially dismissed him as “eye candy,” but once the cameras rolled, his dedication proved her wrong. She apologized, and the two developed a dynamic that fueled some of the film’s most memorable scenes.
That spirit of collaboration came to define the production. Tosin Adeyemi, another cast member from Edo State, described how the project brought her closer to home and deepened her connection to her cultural roots. Across the cast, shared vulnerability and trust created a sense of family. Together t hey endured a grueling 14-day shoot in Edo, braved near-danger when the crew was almost kidnapped, and leaned on one another through the intensity of the war scenes.
Despite the pressures, the atmosphere on set became one of shared mission. “Working with James is something I enjoy,” Benson said of director James Omokwe. “We’ve come a long way since our university days. He knows how to pass his message to you. He is intentional and clearheaded.”
That clarity extended to the film’s purpose: to spotlight the resilience of the Edo people and the emergence of a female hero at a pivotal historical moment. But for the actors, the meaning was also deeply personal. Peters spoke of finding his calling, Benson of rediscovering the roots of his craft, and Okujaye of proving to herself that motherhood had not dimmed her fire.
As ‘Osamede’ heads into cinemas on October 17, it carries with it not just the story of a kingdom in crisis, but the stories of the actors who poured themselves into bringing it to life. For them, the journey was not only about reclaiming history, but also about writing new chapters in their own careers.
