Learning Yoruba Was My Hardest Role Yet – Fella Makafui on Netflix’s Anikulapo

Ghanaian actress Fella Makafui has opened up about the intense preparation behind her role in Netflix’s historical fantasy film ANIKULAPO: A Ghoul Awakens, revealing that learning the Yoruba language from scratch was the most demanding challenge of her acting career.

The film, which premiered globally on January 30, 2026, is available to audiences in more than 191 countries, marking a major international milestone for the Ghanaian star.

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Fella plays Abena, a key character in the expanding Anikulapo franchise, directed by acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker Kunle Afolayan.

Fella Makafui: “I Had Never Spoken a Word of Yoruba”

According to the actress, she was initially overwhelmed when she learned that the role required fluent Yoruba.

“My heart skipped for a second because I had never even said a word in Yoruba before,” Fella shared in a recent social media post. “But I told him, ‘Yes sir, I can do it.’”

Determined to rise to the challenge, she began an intensive language-learning process with a personal coach, often starting her lessons before sunrise.

“I woke up at dawn asking for voice notes, listening to them everywhere I went,” she said. “It was the hardest role I’ve ever taken on — and exactly the challenge I wanted.”

Supportive Set Helped Ease the Pressure

Fella Makafui credited Kunle Afolayan and the cast for creating a welcoming and supportive atmosphere on set, which helped her overcome both linguistic and performance pressures.

“They made me feel completely at home. I didn’t even want to leave after shooting,” she added.

Working with Afolayan, she said, was the fulfilment of a long-held professional dream. The actress revealed that years ago, she had unsuccessfully tried to reach the director via social media.

“I even sent him a DM years ago, which he obviously didn’t see,” Fella Makafui joked.

How the Role Came About

The opportunity came through Juliet Asante, Chief Executive Officer of Ghana’s National Film Authority (NFA), who facilitated the collaboration between Ghanaian talent and the Nigerian production.

“She told me, ‘I’m pushing for Ghana to be part of Anikulapo, and I believe you can absolutely kill this role,’” Fella recalled. “At first, I thought I was dreaming.”

Fella later became the first Ghanaian actress to join the Anikulapo franchise as a main character, a move hailed by the NFA as a major win for Ghana’s film industry.

Expanding the Anikulapo Universe

ANIKULAPO: A Ghoul Awakens continues the story introduced in Netflix’s 2022 hit Anikulapo, which follows Saro, a cloth weaver mysteriously resurrected after death, setting off a chain of events shaped by power, love and the supernatural.

The new instalment expands the narrative beyond its original setting, deepening themes of loyalty, ambition, survival and power.

Returning cast members include Sola Sobowale, Bimbo Ademoye, Aisha Lawal and Eyiyemi Afolayan, alongside new faces such as Saga, KieKie, Antar Laniyan, Saidi Balogun and Teniola Aladese.

Ghana–Nigeria Film Collaboration

Kunle Afolayan announced in June 2024 that parts of the production would be filmed in Ghana, aligning with the NFA’s Shoot in Ghana initiative. The announcement was made at the Nigeria International Film and Television Summit (NIFS) in Cannes, France.

Juliet Asante described the collaboration as a significant step toward strengthening ties between Africa’s two largest English-speaking film industries.

“Both countries stand to gain greatly from deeper collaboration and shared creative opportunities,” she said.

A Career-Defining Moment

The NFA praised Fella’s dedication, particularly her commitment to mastering Yoruba for authenticity in a story set in pre-colonial times.

“What dedication to the craft,” the authority noted in its announcement.

For Fella Makafui, the role represents a turning point in her career.

“This is just the beginning,” she said. “It is truly an honour to be part of this masterpiece.”

Early audience reactions have praised the film’s production quality, performances and cultural authenticity, reinforcing Anikulapo’s position as one of Netflix’s most successful African franchises.