From the makers of Pepeta comes 4Play, a spicy new drama that follows four men who, despite their chaotic personal lives, find friendship, love and perseverance in Nairobi’s concrete jungle.
Set to premiere on Showmax on 21 November, 4Play stars Daniel Weke (Mali), Elsaphan Njora (Kati Kati, Twende), Maina wa Ndungu (Kina, Volume), and Bilal Wanjau (Faithless) as the four main leads Malik, Allan, Edu, and Michael. Supporting cast includes Patricia Kihoro (Crime and Justice, Rafiki), Habida Moloney (Zari), Neomi Ng’ang’a (Sumu la Penzi), Tracy Macharia (Big Girl Small World) and Suzanne Karani (Pepeta).
Produced by James Kombo through his production company CJ3 Entertainment, 4Play is directed by Mwangi Rurengo, Janet Chumbe and Mkaiwai Mwakaba. Abigail Arunga, known for her work on Junior, Pepeta and Lies that Bind, serves as the head writer, with the late Charles Ouda also contributed as a writer and casting director.
“A lot of TV stories out there today focus on the woman’s perspective, and with 4Play I wanted to show the other side of the story – the man’s story by capturing the challenges we face, and the things men are going through every day in Kenya,” says producer Kombo. “Having grown up in Nairobi, I also wanted to portray an authentic story through its nightlife, flashy lifestyle, love life – which is part of the Nairobi’s culture. The stories of our four leads are highly relatable because we are talking about real things men encounter to survive.”
Wrapped in humour, nightlife and the quintessential grit of Nairobi, 4Play promises viewers a bold and sexy look at the contemporary Kenyan life. “This series is different from any other project I have done before because I felt like I was allowed to express my creative voice, especially in portraying adult relationships and sensuality,” says show co-creator and head writer Arunga.
“It was fun to write something that is about four Kenyan men just being themselves. We conceived the idea with Kombo around the same time as Pepeta. 4Play allowed me to delve into Nairobi’s pulse, exploring taboo themes like sex work and addiction. There was a lot of room for imagination, and that is what makes this show so fresh and exciting.”
Watch the trailer below.
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