Nick Mutuma to be the only Kenyan actor in MTV’s Shuga 4

Kenyan actor, model, musician, radio DJ and “ Mashariki Mix” TV presenter Nick Mutuma is set to return in the long-awaited TV sequel to MTV Shuga, the sizzling sex and relationships drama from the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and MTV Base, in partnership with NACA, PEPFAR, The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and UNICEF.

Speaking at the Global Launch of All in to #EndAdolescentAIDS in Nairobi, Georgia Arnold, Executive Director of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, revealed that Mutuma’s character “Leo” will feature in a major new storyline in the new series – one which will reveal a new and disturbing facet to the character – and a dramatic change from the “Mr Nice Guy” persona he played so memorably in series 1-3. 

Mutuma joins returning cast members Emmanuel Ikubese, Sharon Ezeamaka, Chris Attoh, Timini Egbuson and Olumide Oworu for the fourth series of the electrifying drama, which will be filmed in Lagos, Nigeria this March before hitting our TV screens in June.  Series 3 of MTV Shuga aired to more than 550 million households in Africa, Europe, UK, The Americas, Asia, Australia and Oceania, and The Caribbean via a total of 102 TV broadcasters including 44 African broadcasters.

Commented Georgia Arnold, “We are delighted to maintain a connection to the Kenyan heritage of MTV Shuga by bringing back Nick and “Leo” for series 4 in an important new storyline that will see him explore a darker, more unexpected side of the character.”

Actor, model and musician Ikubese, the reigning “Mr Nigeria”, is to returning in the role of unlucky-in-love music promoter, Femi. After failing to find happiness with long-time crush Foye (played by Maria Okanrende) in series 3, series 4 sees Femi, who has been living with HIV for several years, having more success in affairs of the heart, although somehow the path of true love never seems to run smoothly for Femi.

Troubled teenager Princess, played by Sharon Ezeamaka, is struggling to deal with her pregnancy after discovering that she is HIV+.  But will her older lover Solomon come through and support his child after all, or will Princess be left to face things all alone?

“Tinsel” actor Chris Attoh returns as Nii, a cruel and abusive business executive.  Now that his wife, Malaika, has left him, is Nii looking to replace her with a new model?  And what other dark secrets has he been hiding all this time?

Other returning characters include Tobi (played by Timini Egbuson) and Weki, played by Olumide Oworu.

Fusing sexual and other public health messaging with world class storytelling and relatable characters, the new series of MTV Shuga will focus on a range of themes relevant to young people, including adolescent girls, stigma, prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, HIV testing, counselling and the use of helplines, gender based violence, first sex, and disclosure of HIV status.