Actress Sunshine Rosman has opened up on how she prepared for her role as Amanda “Sparkles” in Kemi Adetiba’s Netflix crime series To Kill a Monkey.
The 29-year-old said she drew inspiration from Lagos nightlife and women popularly known as “runs girls.”
“Sparkles was a blend of my experiences and those of Lagos runs girls. Sometimes I sit in clubs and just observe people. That became the anchor for Sparkles. Above all, God’s grace helped me,” she told Tribune.
Rosman, who grew up in Surulere, Magodo and Ijesha, said her family influenced her love for entertainment. “My sisters and I would put together little plays and songs for my dad, even when he was tired from work. He would clap and cheer. We were all entertainers in the family,” she recalled.
She also spoke about how her admiration for Marilyn Monroe shaped her acting dreams. “I was captivated by her expressions beyond beauty. She had a way of lighting up a room and I wanted the same,” she said.
The actress revealed that her entry into the Netflix series was not straightforward. She was initially rejected but was later recalled at a crucial moment. “It was a tough choice – defer the semester or take the role. I had prophesied that I would one day work with Kemi Adetiba and by God’s grace everything aligned,” she added.
Sunshine described the story as morally layered. “No one was completely innocent. Everyone had flaws and strengths. From Amanda’s perspective, when a man brings you down, don’t stay there, flip the script,” she noted.
To Kill a Monkey premiered on Netflix on July 18, 2025. The series stars William Benson, Bucci Franklin, Stella Damasus, Bimbo Akintola, Chidi Mokeme, Lilian Afegbai, Teniola Aladese and Sunshine Rosman.
Directed and produced by Kemi Adetiba, the show has earned glowing reviews.
The crime thriller has also been applauded for its use of Benin Pidgin, stylish direction and immersive Lagos noir visuals.
