Three years after the end of Machachari Show on Citizen TV, celebrated actor Malik Lemuel, popularly known as Govi, will be returning to the small screen in another major role.
A statement by Showmax on Monday, November 14, indicated that Lemuel was in the line up to star in the upcoming Pepeta show, scheduled to debut on the streaming service on Thursday, November 24.
Govi will join other heavyweights including Brahim Ouma who is in the lead role playing the role of Junior.
Pepeta Show is an eight-part series that captures the dreams and realities of the youth in Kibera, known for churning out top football players in the country.
According to the showrunners, the Showmax Original is loosely based on the real-life story of Harun ‘Rio’ Wathari.
Other stars featured on the show include singer Avril Nyambura (popularly from TV show Shuga), Dedan J. Onyango (The Real Househelps of Kawangware), and Lwanda Jawar (Sense8).
Others are George Mo (Borderline), Wycliffe Eravuna (Selina), Marrianne Nungo (Supa Modo) and Brian Ngaira (Baba Twins) among others.
"Pepeta follows three intertwining stories. Junior is a 17-year-old talented footballer torn between the thrills of crime and the promises of soccer.
"Kepha is an unforgiving cop with a personal vendetta, determined to rid the streets of criminals. And Biki is an ambitious football coach determined to get Junior and his friends scouted before the barrel of the gun cuts short their dreams," read the description in part.
The show's director Vincent Mbaya noted that he had to dig deep and guide the cast - mostly made up young and first time actors.
“I had to dig deep into my experiences, especially working with young first time actors. I really had to go back to my acting days and put myself in their shoes, guiding them through the process, helping them tap into the small things that define their characters. It was a very fulfilling experience.
“I think that we are about to discover some amazing talent. Some of the more known faces also deliver on a level we haven't seen them reach before," stated Mbaya.
On Machachari, Lemuel played Baha's younger brother for the entire 13 years the show maintained its run.
Soon after, he played various roles in local skits before securing a role in the Kina show where he secured the role of Vinnie.
The actor also doubles as a managing director of Cheko Saba productions company- which is owned by his mother, Suzanne Njoki, who plays Karen in the Inooro TV hit series- Ithaga Riene.
