Meet the Nigerian Actors Making History on American Television in a global business Drama

Precious Oginni-Oyeneye in a gold gown as Beula Johnson

Noella Ukpe-Roberts in a mustard jumpsuit behind the camera

Onye “Kachi” Moghalu in a colorful dress as 14-year-old production assistant.

Dr. Evelyn Moghalu in a black gown as Abebi Ibeh

Gabriel Emegha in a gray suit as Ibekwe Ibeh

Colette Chinwoke Sebastian in a vibrant red gown as Blackberry’s legal counsel

The Nigerian actors making history on American television as they lead The Caste of Beula, a groundbreaking global business drama redefining representation.

Nigerian Actors and American Television

In the intricate dance of power, ambition, and legacy, few arenas are as captivating as the world behind the scenes of entertainment representation. The Caste of Beula draws inspiration from these very corridors of influence, weaving a narrative that mirrors the high-stakes battles of real-life talent agencies such as Creative Artists Agency (CAA), United Talent Agency (UTA), William Morris Endeavor (WME), The Gersh Agency, to name a few.

Art Imitates Life: The Genesis of Beula's Blackberry Talent Agency

The intricate relationships, strategic alliances, and personal vendettas portrayed in the series are drawn from the very fabric of Hollywood's history, making The Caste of Beula not just a fictional tale but a reflection of these real-world dynamics. The character arcs—especially the intense rivalries and unexpected alliances—mirror the complexities seen in the industry's most talked-about power plays, but with a twist that highlights the silent pain of success that Black American professionals experience daily: colorism, isolation, identity politics, unhealed family trauma, and inter-ethnic battles that often keep us from truly reveling in our accomplishments as we climb the ladder of success.

A New Narrative: Centering Nigerian-American Excellence and Black Female Pain

While the backdrop is inspired by Hollywood's inner workings, the heart of The Caste of Beula lies in its celebration of Black female excellence and silent pain. The series brings to the forefront stories long underrepresented, showcasing the brilliance, resilience, and cultural richness of Black people in general, with a particular focus on Black women. More than that, it is impossible to highlight African American success without placing Africans—especially Nigerians from the diaspora—at the forefront.

Nigerian Americans have always been a central part of African American success. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, they are the most educated ethnic group in America and are woven into every aspect of American commerce and culture. Yet, they've remained mostly sidelined in American television shows and are only now beginning to be acknowledged on a grand scale in music, fashion, and sports. While shows like Bob Hearts Abishola opened the door for Nigerian stories in U.S. media, The Caste of Beula kicks it wide open.

In the evolving landscape of American television, few shows have dared to authentically portray the Nigerian-American experience. While Bob Hearts Abishola broke ground by introducing Nigerian culture to mainstream audiences, The Caste of Beula seeks to delve deeper, offering a nuanced narrative that intertwines African and African-American identities in ways not previously explored.

Bob Hearts Abishola: Pioneering Representation

Premiering in 2019, Bob Hearts Abishola was a trailblazer, being the first American sitcom to center on a Nigerian immigrant family. Co-created by Chuck Lorre and British-Nigerian comedian Gina Yashere, the show introduced audiences to Abishola, a Nigerian nurse navigating life and love in Detroit. The series was lauded for its inclusion of Yoruba language and cultural references, providing a refreshing departure from stereotypical portrayals of Africans in Western media.

However, despite its groundbreaking premise, the show faced criticism for its comedic approach to cultural differences. Some viewers felt that the series leaned into humor that, while entertaining, occasionally oversimplified complex cultural dynamics. Additionally, the focus on a romantic storyline between a white American man and a Nigerian woman, though heartwarming, sometimes overshadowed deeper explorations of Nigerian-American identity and experience.

This series doesn’t lean on comedic tropes or cultural misunderstandings for laughs. Instead, it dives deep into the complexities of African and African-American identity, womanhood, power, and ambition. Think Succession meets Insecure, layered with West African sophistication and Southern Black resilience.

Inspired by real-world agency wars like CAA vs. UTA and the private equity shakeups that disrupted Hollywood’s top talent firms, the show channels those corporate rivalries into fierce on-screen power plays between Beula, her estranged wife Ari, and billionaire tech goddess Abebi Ibeh. It’s sexy. It’s smart. It’s ruthless. And at its core, it’s Black women—African and African-American—battling it out in the boardroom, the bedroom, and the media.

By intertwining these narratives with the high-stakes world of talent management, the series offers a fresh perspective that challenges conventional storytelling.

Nigerian Excellence Leads the Cast

Created by writer and director Dionne Roberts-Emegha, an African-American filmmaker married to Nigerian-born technology consultant Gabriel Emegha, The Caste of Beula blends high-stakes drama with cultural authenticity. Their daughter, Noella Ukpe-Roberts, makes her acting and directorial debut as Ndebele, one of Blackberry Talent Agency’s rising stars. Together, this family-led production is doing what few have dared—building a premium television universe rooted in global Black excellence.

The cast is led by Precious Oginni, the 25-year-old Nigerian actress who unexpectedly landed the lead role of Beula Johnson, a powerhouse CEO navigating betrayal, legacy, and love. Originally envisioned as a 40-something African-American woman from Georgia, Beula’s character was reimagined the moment Precious walked into the audition. Her quiet confidence and regal bearing demanded a rewrite of the script—and the industry’s expectations. "To be honest," Dionne states, "I wasn't sure what to do after she auditioned, because I knew in that moment that our show had just changed." She turned to her mother, Sharon Gray, and said, "She's Beula."

Joining her is Gabriel Emegha as Ibekwe Ibeh, a Nigerian telecommunications leader; Dr. Evelyn Moghalu as his revolutionary, no-nonsense billionaire wife, Abebi Ibeh, portrayed with cunning brilliance; and Colette 'Chinweoke' Sebastian, Blackberry’s sharp legal mind. The best part to Roberts-Emegha, however, was 14-year-old Onye “Kachi” Moghalu, who got in on the action as production assistant, proving the next generation already has an eye for greatness.

The Caste of Beula stands as a testament to the intricate interplay of power, ambition, and identity. Drawing from real-life industry dramas, it crafts a narrative that is both compelling and reflective. As viewers delve into Beula's world, they are invited to explore the nuanced realities of influence, legacy, and the ever-evolving dynamics of the entertainment industry.