Citizen TV announced that it will begin airing a series show produced by Kenyan actress and Hollywood superstar Lupita Nyong'o, who won an Academy Award for her film debut in 12 Years a Slave
In a statement on Wednesday, March 24, the broadcaster revealed that an animated series dubbed Super Sema will be featured daily on the network and promoted across all of Citizen TV channels.
Lupita lends her voice on the series and serves as its executive producer.
The show is produced by Kukua, a Nairobi-based multi-disciplinary media and technology startup in which the Queen of Katwe actress is a shareholder.
“We are based in Kenya and have always intended to reach children and families across Africa with Super Sema to both excite them about the world of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) and give them new aspirational role models to look up to and in which they see themselves reflected.
"Our programming will empower children to take what they’ve learned from the series into the real world to make, invent and play with intention," stated Vanessa Ford, COO of Kukua.
Citizen TV is the first of major networks to broadcast the series as the company plans to rollout the programme in Nigeria and South Africa.
“We’re thrilled that Citizen is leading the way with big networks in South Africa and Nigeria soon to follow," she added.
The series was written by four-time BAFTA winner Claudia Lloyd (Charlie & Lola, Mr. Bean, Tinga Tinga Tales) and directed by Lynne Southerland, the first female African-American director for Disney (Mulan II).
Among the cast in the series are Stycie Waweru who plays superhero Sema, Seth Prewitt who voices her twin brother and Elsaphan Njora who plays the heartless villain robot Tobor.
Lupita noted that she was elated to take part in a child programme that centered around Africans.
“The first time I watched Super Sema, it brought tears to my eyes because I realized how much we as Africans yearn for kid programming that centers us.
"I value the opportunity to entertain and educate children around the world while giving them the chance to celebrate an African superhero and viewpoint," stated Lupita.
Lupita won the Oscar Awards for her supporting role in 2 years a slave in 2014.
