Tinsel (TV series)

Tinsel is a Nigerian soap opera that began airing in August 2008.^[1] On 23 May 2013, the show's 1000th episode aired.^[2] It has been called "the most successful television drama on Nigerian television in recent times".^[4] On April 23, 2015, the show aired its 1500th episode.On March 23, 2017, the show aired the 2000th episode of the series.On February 21, 2019, the show aired its 2500th episode.On 21 Jan 2021, the show's 3000th episode aired. On December 21, 2022, the show aired a special 3500th documentary. On November 21, 2024 the show hit 4000 episodes.

Tinsel
Genre	Soap opera[1]
Created by	Yinka Ogun[2]
Written by	Yinka Ogun Kemi Adesoye Uju Asika Tunde Babalola
Directed by	Tope Oshin Ogun (2008 - 2013) Alex Mouth (2008 - 2010; 2012 - 2014) Efe Aiyeteni (2008 - 2009 ) John Njamah (2008 - 2009 ) Victor Aghahowa (2010 - 2014 ) Ben Chiadika (2010 - ) George Sunom Kura (2012 - ) Tolu Ajayi (2009 - 2010)
Starring	Victor Olaotan Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi Ireti Doyle Damilola Adegbite Chris Attoh Funmi Holder Udoka Oyeka Osas Ighodaro Gbenro Ajibade Linda Ejiofor Bimbo Manuel Oghenekaro Itene Matilda Obaseki Tomi Odunsi Leonora Okine Kalu Ikeagwu Lizz Njagah Abiola Segun Williams Anne Njemanze Florence Uwaleke Ike Okechukwu Gregory Ojefua Nini Mbonu Yul Edochie Alex Okoroji Samuel Abiola Robinson Fisayo Ajisola Adesewa Josh Chris Okagbue Wale Dizzy Akinjogbin
Country of origin	Nigeria
Original language	English
No. of seasons	17
No. of episodes	4124
Production
Executive producer	Jaiye Ojo[1]
Producers	Rogers Ofime[3] Lemmy Adebule Femi Odugbemi [1]
Production locations	Lagos, Lagos State, Nigeria
Camera setup	Multi-camera[1]
Running time	25 minutes
Original release
Network	M-Net
Release	1 August 2008 (2008-08-01) – present

Series overview

Season	Episodes		Originally released
			First released	Last released
1	65		September 1, 2008 (2008-09-01)	2009 (2009)
2	156		2009 (2009)	2010 (2010)
3	261		May 31, 2010 (2010-05-31)	May 30, 2011 (2011-05-30)
4	261		May 31, 2011 (2011-05-31)	May 29, 2012 (2012-05-29)
5	261		May 30, 2012 (2012-05-30)	May 29, 2013 (2013-05-29)
6	260		May 30, 2013 (2013-05-30)	May 28, 2014 (2014-05-28)
7	260		May 29, 2014 (2014-05-29)	May 27, 2015 (2015-05-27)
8	260		May 28, 2015 (2015-05-28)	May 25, 2016 (2016-05-25)
9	260		May 26, 2016 (2016-05-26)	May 24, 2017 (2017-05-24)
10	260		May 25, 2017 (2017-05-25)	May 23, 2018 (2018-05-23)
11	260		May 24, 2018 (2018-05-24)	May 22, 2019 (2019-05-22)
12	260		May 23, 2019 (2019-05-23)	May 20, 2020 (2020-05-20)
13	260		May 21, 2020 (2020-05-21)	May 19, 2021 (2021-05-19)
14	260		May 20, 2021 (2021-05-20)	May 18, 2022 (2022-05-18)
15	260		May 19, 2022 (2022-05-19)	May 17, 2023 (2023-05-17)
16	260		May 18, 2023 (2023-05-18)	May 15, 2024 (2024-05-15)
17	260		May 16, 2024 (2024-05-16)	May 14, 2025 (2025-05-14)
18	TBA		May 15, 2025 (2025-05-15)	2026 (2026)

Plot summary

Tinsel's plot revolves around two rival film companies: Reel Studios, founded by Fred Ade-Williams (Victor Olaotan), and Odyssey Pictures, headed by Brenda "Nana" Mensah (Funmilola Aofiyebi-Raimi).^[5] Tinsel is a tale of drama, romance, betrayal and triumph. The show returned for its eighth season on 25 May 2015.

Cast

• Victor Olaotan as Fred Ade Williams(2008–13)
• Gideon Okeke as Philip Ade Williams(2008–17,2023)
• Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi as Brenda Nana Mensah (2009 – present)
• Funmi Holder as Amaka Ade Williams(2008–Present)
• Matilda Obaseki as Angela Dede(2008-2016;2019-2022)
• Chris Attoh as Kwame Mensah(2008–13)
• Kunle Coker as Ziggy(2008–12)
• Ireti Doyle as Sheila Ade-Williams(2009–Present)
• Gbenro Ajibade as Soji Bankole(2008–17)
• Damilola Adegbite as Telema Duke(2008–12;2015–17)
• Linda Ejiofor as Bimpe(2008–Present)

Production

Tinsel was in pre-production for over ninety months.^[1] Over 500 actors auditioned for the lead role of Fred Ade-Williams before the decision to cast Victor Olaotan was made.^[6] As of June 2013, the show's production cost per minute was 900 dollars, and total costs exceeded four billion naira.^[2] The show was shot in a studio in Ojota, Lagos until March 2013 when a fire destroyed that location. Since then the show has been shot at a studio and a private residence in Ikeja, Lagos.^[2]

It airs on AM Urban and AM Family.^{[citation needed]}

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Result	Ref
2022	Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards	Longest running TV show in Africa	Won	[7]