Showmax is set to bring a new crime drama series, Pepeta to the streaming platform. Now you will have a new series to binge amidst the ongoing World Cup which is also available on 4K on Showmax.
The streamer held an exclusive premiere of the eight-part series at Nairobi Street Kitchen in Westlands hosted by Amina Abdi Rabar. The event had the cast in attendance including Brahim Ouma, Malik Lemmy, Avril Nyambura, Lwanda Jawar, and Dedan J. Onyango, as well as director Vincent Mbaya, crew members and the press.
Pepeta is based on the life of former footballer, Harun ‘Rio’ Wathari who’s from Kibera. He was among the attendees and spoke about how he got onto the project. Vincent Mbaya, the show’s director praised Rio for his bravery in sharing his story with the world.
“The first thing that attracted me to this story is that it’s based on real life events. I was sold the moment I heard about it. Shoutout to Rio because it’s not easy to tell your life story and allow people to come in and show it to the world,” Vincent shared.
“It’s a very brave thing, and it’s an important story and I think what we’ve done on this show is going to shake the industry,” he continued.
“The most important thing for me was that this whole cast really embraced the script and gave it 100 percent,” he concluded.
Dedan Juma, one of the lead actors playing as Zeze shared a heartfelt story of how he got the role a day after he had lost his mother, and how his mother got him involved in theatre to save him from a life of crime.
In the series, Zeze is a gang leader who’s grown up in the streets, and who knows only one life – how to be a gangster.
“It’s like I’ve lived Zeze’s life and I always knew that if I ever get a role like this, I would do justice to it,” said Juma.
What The Series About
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.
Pepeta features a predominantly young cast, including some who have never been seen on screen before, Pepeta stars Brahim Ouma (Famous) in his first-ever lead role as Junior. The cast also includes Malik Lemuel, who makes a major comeback since Machachari, Dedan J. Onyango (The Real Househelps of Kawangware), Lwanda Jawar (Sense8), Avril Nyambura (MTV Shuga), George Mo (Borderline), Wycliffe Eravuna (Selina), Marrianne Nungo (Supa Modo), Brian Ngaira (Baba Twins), and newcomers Eric Aswani, Fridah Mumbe and Suzanne Karani.
The crime series is produced by CJ3 Entertainment and directed by Vincent Mbaya (Country Queen, Chaguo), with Damaris Irungu (Crime and Justice), Charles Ouda (Waiting Room, Makutano Junction) and Abigail Arunga (How to Find a Husband) as writers.
Pepeta joins other Showmax Originals like the political thriller series County 49, the thriller series Igiza, the police procedural and legal drama Crime and Justice S1 and S2, the drama series Single Kiasi and the coming-of-age film Baba Twins.
Pepeta replaces County 49, which concluded its final season last week on Thursday and is now available to binge.
Catch Pepeta on Showmax from 24 November with new episodes released every Thursday.
