12 things Charles Novia said about telenovela

Check out 12 things the "Alan Poza" filmmaker said about the TV series which premiered on April 4, 2016, on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv channel 151).

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1. By the time the assassin pulled the trigger and the viewers heard a shot as the screen went blank in a defining episode ofAfrica Magic’s daily serial, ‘’, what came to my mind was a possibility of the writers and Production team being too hooked on the twists and turns template of ‘ ’ and other popular American series which gleefully knock off popular characters for ratings or for the shock value.

2. I feel the Producers underrated the immense value to the serial Arinola had and in a random creative Russian Roulette, just decided to take her out. (I’m hatching a personal conspiracy theory here and you may have to forgive my conjecture if it irks you) But in taking her out, they took away a strong, independent character which had a great appeal to the feminist crowd.

3. My Personal Conspiracy Theory tells me that the Producers of ‘ Hush’ might have felt the plotline of Arinola running for Governor was not plausible and could not be sustained and had to do something.

4. As the serial progressed, I have noticed a bit of improvements as it seems the actors have been getting used to their characters and maybe the writing team found some new mojo too. But it still doesn’t take away from the fact that some actors are not measuring up and need Acting Coaches.

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5. The guy who plays Tes, the drug-addicted son of Bem Tsenugo (Mawuli Gavor) , is trying hard to convince us he can play a rabid addict. There is an over- exaggeration in his body scratches and internalisation. He’s good but he could be better.

6. I actually think every actor in ‘Hush’ sort of woke up after Arinola’s death, as if afraid that they would be killed off too by the whims of perhaps nerdy and bespectacled writers!

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7. One of the bright young sparks to watch out for in the future of Nollywood is Baaj Adebule, who plays Adze Tsenugo, the other son of Bem. I think he has promise and elicits the right facial reactions and plays the switch from being bewildered to listless very well.

8. I don’t expect the Producers of ‘Hush’ to do a Jon Snow on her character and somewhere along the line bring her back alive. That would be stretching our abilities to suspend our disbelief and encouraging our scorn factor.

9. The Writing Department have a long list of names in the end credits and there are a couple of very experienced writers among the lot.

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10. I have to commend the Production Team of ‘Hush’ thus far. At least, they have me and many others watching and keep us guessing or amused or just plain indifferent. Whatever it is they are doing amongst these mix of reactions mentioned, they must be doing it right.

11. However, when one realises that two other well produced serials from South Africa and Angola air immediately after ‘Hush’, talking about ‘Isibaya’ and ‘Jikulumesu’, one can’t help but wonder if willy nilly, the guys at Africa Magic are not succinctly asking the viewers to compare the production values of all three! Because that is what I subconsciously do each time.

12. And though the difference may be clear, I still have to say that ‘Hush’, shortcomings and promise and all, would have to speak out louder than we presently hear.

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A tale of fashion, politics and ambition which follows different members of high society as they collide, the story of "Hush" revolves around Bem and Arinola, power-players in fashion and politics respectively.

Bem, played by Richard Mofe-Damijo, is one of Africa’s biggest designers based in Lagos State, Nigeria.

The intrigue kicked off when Bem proposes marriage to Arinola, an action that sets in motion a chain of events propelled by the secrets in their respective lives, secrets that run through the backrooms of secret societies, the corridors of the judiciary and on social media.

Recently, the show's lead character Arinola Cardoso-Tsenogu was murdered. Arinola, played by Thelma Okoduwa, was one of the state’s fastest rising politicians on show.

The telenovella airs weeknights at 9pm CAT on Africa Magic Showcase.