Nollywood icon reflects on her performance in Kemi Adetiba’s crime thriller series after almost missing out on the audition deadline.
Veteran Nollywood actress Stella Damasus has revealed that her role in Kemi Adetiba’s acclaimed Netflix crime thriller series, To Kill a Monkey, reinvigorated her acting career and significantly altered how both international audiences and industry stakeholders perceive her talent.
Speaking in a recent interview, the screen legend disclosed that she almost lost the opportunity to star in the hit production after nearly missing the audition submission deadline.
Near-Miss Audition Led to Character Modification
Reflecting on how she secured the role of Nosa in the series, Damasus shared that she was not the original choice for the character, as the part was initially written for a much younger actress.
After learning about the casting process at the last minute, the veteran performer submitted a self-tape audition less than 24 hours before the production team closed submissions.
Upon reviewing her audition tape, director Kemi Adetiba and the production crew were so impressed by her interpretation that they chose to rewrite and adjust the character’s age profile specifically to fit Damasus.
“This is one of the things that moves my career again. It changed everything,” Damasus stated when discussing the global reception of the series. “Till date, I’m still receiving messages from people… This was such a huge thing, even in America, in Canada, in Dublin, everywhere I traveled to.”
Global Success and Critical Acclaim
The eight-part crime thriller, which features a ensemble cast including William Benson, Bucci Franklin, Bimbo Akintola, Chidi Mokeme, and Ireti Doyle, has earned widespread critical praise for its gripping narrative and high production values.
Damasus noted that playing the formidable character of Nosa re-established her screen presence among younger streaming audiences, generating intense social media engagement across continents.
The actress expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to showcase her artistic range in a modern long-form series, describing the experience as a major career milestone after decades in the Nigerian film industry.
Fans and industry observers continue to celebrate her performance, with many pointing to her portrayal in To Kill a Monkey as a masterclass in screen acting and character delivery.
