By Christy Anyanwu
Sonia Irabor is an actor, writer and movie producer of repute. Her career started as a classically-trained stage actor in the United Kingdom. She joined the writer’s room for Season Five of the beloved MTV Base series, “Shuga,” penning episodes five and seven of the eight-episode season and appearing as a doctor in one of the episodes.
Sonia also featured in Africa Magic Showcase’s new series, “Slum King,” in which she played Dr Kate Okonkwo.
She is currently in pre-production for her feature film debut, which she wrote, directed and co-produced.
In this interview with Sunday Sun, she spoke about her person as an actor and life generally.
How did your journey into acting start?
I received my first onscreen credit in 2017 as Uju in the hit comedy web series, “Inspector K,” where I served as co-head writer for two of its three seasons. From there, I went on to star as Kari in the hit series, “Man of Her Dreams,” created and directed by Victor Aghahowa, for three seasons. In 2020/2021, I wrote, directed, composed the music and starred in my first short film, “I Am an Easy One to Forget,” which was nominated for an award at the Watch Africa, Wales’s African Film Festival, and is still playing at festivals around the world, with the next one being “Kurzfilmtage,” Switzerland, in November 2023. During the second wave of lockdown, I was hired as an associate producer of the record-breaking Netflix series “King of Boys: Return of the King,” directed by Kemi Adetiba. Galvanised by that experience, I have written, directed and starred in two short films: “Steady Darling, We’re Gaining Balance” and “If I Stop, I May Explode,” the latter of which went on to win Best Experimental Short at the Emberlight Film Festival, Michigan, in 2022. After a few years away, I dipped my toe back in the acting pool in a string of hit films and shows, including “Blood Sisters,” “Castle and Castle,” and “Aki and Paw Paw,” all currently on Netflix.
How was it like leaving the backstage and coming in front of the camera to take on this character, considering that you have spent a lot of time behind the camera?
It was a very exciting challenge. I will admit that I came into it quite scared, but I was surrounded by a very wonderful cast who kind of just lifted me through it. But ultimately, it was incredibly exciting in front of the camera and I really enjoyed the experience.
Did you drop anything, from your time behind the camera and before the camera, to access roles and did you think working in other positions in film-making would make you a better actress?
I actually thought about that. I don’t necessarily think so. I think I worked hard to separate the things, because I didn’t want to come into it with too much of a logical mind or too much of a technical mind. I think I wanted to dive on a more emotional level. So, I worked as much as possible. Which creates quite a chaotic scene. When I did successfully do it, I think I was able to find depth of character. Yeah, I would say I worked to separate the two for this one.
What about the role you played in “Slum King?”
I played the role of Dr Kate Okonkwo. Dr Kate is a product of Orolede, which is a fictional town that Slum King is from. She lived in England for about 15 to 20 years and she returned to help better her community.
How long have you been acting and how has it been?
I have been acting since 2016. I started on stage and I went to screen around 2018. It’s been incredibly challenging, but also very exciting.
What were you doing before acting?
I lived in England. I worked in PR, marketing. I did that for a very long time before I returned to Nigeria.
Why did you come back, when many Nigerians are now leaving in droves for England?
I saw oppourtunity. I’m from here. I lived here, I grew up here. I saw the oppourtunity to find myself in this industry that is growing and expanding in such an exciting way. I am a writer, a director as well. So, it felt right to come back and explore and build this industry.
What are your challenges as an actress?
Let us not go into it (laughs). They are very many. But it makes it all the more rewarding when you see your work.
What has fame done to you?
Well, I think you just have to take each project as it comes. It is an interesting challenge, with time. We’ve built a lot of resilience doing this work. We build a lot creativity doing this work and I’m really proud for all of us.
What’s your advice for upcoming actress?
Know when to say no. That’s incredibly important. Also, keep your shape, which is contradictory, but when it clicks, it clicks. Know when to say “no,” but keep pushing.
How was life growing up?
I grew up in Lagos. I was born and raised in Lagos.
As a star actor, do you still buy boli and groundnut from the street?
Yes, I do.