My Life In Nollywood: Natse Jemide 

Every week, The Culture Custodian grants you an all-access backstage pass into the lives of Nollywood rock stars. You get to learn about their fascinating backgrounds, the behind-the-scenes stories, and more. This episode features actor Natse Jemide.

Natse Jemide was born in Nigeria where he spent his first fourteen years before moving to the United Kingdom. “In the UK my life revolved around school and sports,” he recalls. While pursuing a Law degree at the University of Birmingham, he realized the possibility of exploring his creative potential rather than settling for a mundane corporate career. After school, he embraced music, modelling and was fortunate to get his first acting role as Reggie in Far From Home, Nigeria’s first Netflix Young Adult Original series. “If I had told my father I wanted to be an actor and was just going for auditions without securing anything, he wouldn’t have found the idea welcoming,” Jemide reminisces on his formidable starting point.  He also played the lead role of Ibukun Saka in the 2024 football-themed drama, When Love Strikes. 

A passionate football lover and music artist, Jemide’s Spotify discography contains soulful singles like Broke My Heart, Honda and Call Me When You’re Lonely that hint at a romantic part of him, a tribute to his attitudinal optimism. “I generally believe that you can change a generation of Nigerians with entertainment and sports,” Jemide says. He also attributes the effervescent nature of Lagos to her vibrant entertainment culture and side attractions. Towards the end of every year, the commercial capital blossoms with music concerts and other artistic performances. “Without the music industry, there’s no detty December,” Jemide admits. Back in 2014 and 2015, he always looked forward to the holidays in Lagos. “I would tell my friends in England that going back to Lagos around that time of the year was a vibe,” he recalls. 

In this interview, which is already optimized for clarity, Natse Jemide lets us into his creative landscape and personality and, most importantly, provides insights on his budding Nollywood career. 

What inspired your evolution from modelling into an acting career?

Becoming an actor wasn’t a deliberate career goal for me initially. While I was confident in my acting abilities, my true passion lay in filmmaking, particularly directing. I even ran a production company at one point. However, when the opportunity to act in Nollywood arose, I couldn’t resist. It started with an email inviting me to audition, which ultimately led to my role in Far From Home.

Did your experience as a Law student at the University of Birmingham have any impact on your modelling and acting careers?

I got into modelling after university in 2019. My university experience made me realize that I wasn’t suited for corporate life, as I found academic activities to be unfulfilling. 

Do you have any additional training in acting?

No. It was a hands-on learning experience.  My studio was a hub for young creatives making music videos and films, so I would simply watch and learn from them.

How did you establish chemistry and rapport with your fellow actors on the set of Far From Home, given that it was your first acting role?

If I had gone on the set and was overthinking, it wouldn’t have been easy. I was confident in my ability and just wanted to be a positive contributor. 

How did you land the lead role in the football-themed Prime Video film When Love Strikes?

I didn’t audition for the role. When Love Strikes was made by Inkblot Productions, the same company responsible for Far From Home. So, they knew what I could do and that I could play football. That probably landed me the role. 

What was growing up in Nigeria like? 

I spent my formative years in Nigeria until I was 14. Growing up, I was surrounded by a family of creatives, including painters, singers, sketch artists, filmmakers, fashion designers, and writers. My parents, both writers, encouraged my creative expression. My uncle, Doye Agama, was a pioneering figure in Nigerian television. My earliest experiences instilled in me a talent for communication, both written and verbal. This led to me writing my first fictional stories at ages 4 and 5. By 10, I had begun writing songs, and at 12 or 13, I was already creating content on YouTube. These experiences helped me realize that I could evolve and achieve more as a creative, setting the stage for my future pursuits.

Can you recall specific experiences that helped contribute to your creative and career trajectory?

I feel fortunate to have attended a school that offered a culturally diverse environment, connecting me with people from around the world. One of my friends from Turkey had exceptionally fast WiFi at his home. We’d spend Thursdays and Fridays at his place, watching YouTube tutorials and learning video editing software. After graduation, I took the initiative to launch my own production company, immersing myself in the creative world. This decision proved pivotal, as 2020 brought a flurry of opportunities. Within just six months, I landed the project Far From Home, recorded my debut song, got signed, and even made my runway debut in Lagos. It was an incredible period of growth and exploration.

What challenges have you encountered in your acting career?

For me, the biggest challenge of being an actor is patience. The profession can be tedious, with sudden schedule changes and unforeseen delays. Often, it’s impossible to anticipate all the problems that will arise during production. For instance, two of my forthcoming films were initially slated for release last year but were postponed due to production and distribution issues. As an actor, I had made plans based on the expected release dates, only to have them delayed by an entire year. The acting profession is heavily influenced by factors beyond one’s control, relying on a mix of luck and circumstance. While it’s possible to work consistently, finding projects that advance one’s career, offer fair compensation, and come with reasonable terms and conditions can be difficult. On a personal level, I’ve found the physical demands of playing certain roles to be challenging. For example, portraying Reggie and Ibukun, both football players, required a significant amount of physical exertion. Playing Ibukun was particularly demanding, as I had to spend extended periods under the scorching sun.

Are there any specific roles or genres you are interested in exploring as an actor or filmmaker?

I’m open. I feel like it’s such an interesting time for film, and I’m a young actor. I just want to do things that feel right at the moment. And honestly, I don’t know what that looks like right now.

Do you engage in other sports apart from football?

I  play basketball and have also played table tennis, rugby and volleyball. But football remains my favorite sport. 

Should we expect any projects from you soon?

I’m excited to announce that I have two upcoming films slated for release this year. The only one I can discuss is Afrobeats Superstar, produced and directed by the talented Tola Odunsi. This film tells the story of a young artist navigating the cutthroat music industry in Lagos, all while dealing with family, relationships, and the darker aspects of fame. I met Tola for the first time at Mo Abudu’s birthday party. We set up a follow-up conversation, during which I shared my music with him. It was then that he revealed his interest in casting me in his film. Initially, I was considered for a different role, but after a studio session showcased my musical abilities, I was offered the lead part.