The journey to QWARE has been one of passion, persistence, and purpose.
As a filmmaker, casting director, and actor, I’ve had the privilege of being deeply involved in every layer of this powerful drama series — from shaping its cast, to scouting its locations, to ultimately stepping into the role of Saul Simba, the patriarch of a crumbling empire.
Produced by Naota Media, QWARE is a bold new step for Kenyan television, blending sharp storytelling with cinematic production values.
And now, after months of blood, sweat, and script rewrites, I’m proud to finally say: QWARE premieres *Sunday, 20th July at 7:30PM on DStv Channel 163 – Maisha Magic Plus.
A Story Rooted in Power, Secrets, and Family.
QWARE is a contemporary Kenyan drama set in the high-stakes world of a powerful business family. At the center is Leila Simba, an heiress wrongfully framed for murder, forced to fight back against a corrupt system, broken bloodlines, and the haunting legacy of her father — Saul Simba (yours truly).
The show dives into the underbelly of corporate betrayal, hidden affairs, family politics, and the brutal reality of power struggles in Nairobi’s elite circles. It’s gripping. It’s emotional. And it’s painfully relevant.
Casting QWARE: Searching for Complexity
Casting QWARE was no easy feat. We weren’t just looking for actors — we were building a dynasty.
Every role required not just performance ability, but depth. We needed performers who could tap into grief, greed, rage, love, and loyalty — all at once. From Leila’s quiet resilience, to Sting’s chilling menace, to Melissa’s fiery manipulation, every casting decision was deeply intentional. We held multiple rounds of auditions — both open calls and private invites — and worked closely with the client, directors and producers to balance screen presence, chemistry, and raw emotional truth.
And trust me, it paid off.
The Hustle Behind the Camera
While the story on screen is dramatic, the reality behind it was just as intense. Midway through production, QWARE faced financial constraints that forced us to pause filming. We had to regroup, restrategize, and creatively stretch every coin. But even in those quiet months, the team never stopped pushing. We faced the usual suspects: unpredictable weather, tight location access, noise on set, cast availability aligning to production schedules, and the wild, beautiful chaos that is Kenyan production. But we kept going — because the story mattered and we just had to finish.
A Personal Plot Twist: How I Became Saul Simba
Here’s a little behind-the-scenes secret.
Originally, I wasn’t supposed to act in this one. We had someone else lined up to play Simba Junior, but when he turned down the role, we cast the talented Reinhard Bonke in his place.
While reviewing potential options for Saul Simba, I realized I actually fit the same type as Reinhard and many of the other actors I was shortlisting. Jokingly, I said to the team, “What if I just do it?”
To my surprise, the director and producers said yes.
Because Saul’s character — though central to the plot — wasn’t in every scene, it gave me space to juggle my other responsibilities as casting director and locations manager without compromising performance. A happy accident that turned into one of my favorite roles yet. Stepping into the role of Saul Simba was both an honor and a challenge. He’s a layered character — a man driven by legacy, haunted by his choices, and quietly aware that his empire is built on shaky ground. Portraying that internal conflict — especially as someone who helped shape the character during casting — was creatively fulfilling. It reminded me why I love this industry: when done right, storytelling becomes transformation.
What to Expect
Expect power plays. Expect betrayal. Expect moments that will make you scream at your TV and then rewind.
QWARE is bold and Dark. Unapologetically Kenyan. And designed to keep you hooked every Sunday night. QWARE is proof of what we can build when we believe in our own original stories.
And to the audience: we made this for you. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
