Mo Abudu Is Working On A New African Drama With 50 Cent And Starz 

‘Queen Nzinga’ is the drama that Abudu will co-executive produce.

By Omotayo Olutekunbi

Starz has announced that it will produce a new drama project alongside 50 Cent’s G-Unit Films and Television and Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Studio.

The film, named ‘Queen Nzinga,’ will be set in 17th-century Angola and will tell the narrative of fierce warrior queen Nzinga as she grows up.

Nzinga, the kingdom’s first female monarch, fought a 40-year guerilla struggle against the kingdom’s powerful foes and the terrible captivity of her people by Portuguese slavers, according to history.

Yetide Badaki (‘America Gods’) stars as Nzinga and also serves as the show’s co-executive producer alongside 50 Cent, Abudu, and Steven A. DeKnight.

“If you liked the movie 300 your gonna love this,” said 50 Cent on the series.

Confirming the production, Abudu shared: “The continent of Africa has a treasure trove of stories that are yet to be told. Queen Nzinga is a story that I have wanted to tell for a long time, so when EbonyLife Studios finally found a home for this project at Starz and Lionsgate, it was a dream come true.

“We are happy to be at the forefront of forging these new partnerships with such an incredible team of creatives, because it is truly about sharing our local stories with a global audience — stories that are historical, authentic and progressive.”

“It has been a long held dream of mine to bring the story of Nzinga to the screen. Her courage, determination and passion resonated from the moment I laid eyes on historical depictions of the legendary queen,” Badaki revealed.

“I am thrilled by Starz’s continued commitment to much needed stories about and by historically excluded voices and the deeply talented team being built to share this epic narrative with the world”

Abudu’s new international contract follows a slew of others announced this year, including the BBC and EbonyLife collaboration.