Actress Lilian Afegbai has opened up about the emotional depth and intensity she poured into her character, Idia, in the newly released Netflix crime thriller To Kill A Monkey, created and directed by Kemi Adetiba.
Reacting to an outpouring of praise from fans and industry colleagues, Afegbai took to Instagram to express her heartfelt gratitude, describing the experience as a “whirlwind of love and support.”
“Playing Idia was more than just a role,” she wrote. “It was a journey of becoming one with a character whose strength, vulnerability and spirit I poured my soul into.”
The actress, known for her versatility, credited director Kemi Adetiba for entrusting her with the role and guiding her through the process of embodying the character. She described the opportunity as a deeply transformative experience that pushed her limits and left a lasting impact.
“I gave everything to bring her to life, and seeing your kind words, messages, and encouragement means the world to me and makes it all worth it,” she added.
Afegbai also appreciated the cast, crew and supporters of the film, saying their collaboration and support made the moment unforgettable. She vowed to carry the love and encouragement with her, expressing how honoured she felt to be embraced by viewers and fans.
“To everyone who has watched To Kill a Monkey and shared their overwhelming love for my portrayal of Idia, thank you from the depths of my heart,” she wrote.
To Kill a Monkey, which premiered on Netflix on July 18, is an eight-episode crime thriller series written, directed and produced by Kemi Adetiba under her Kemi Adetiba Visuals banner.
The series explores themes such as cybercrime, betrayal, survival and moral compromise, following the story of a desperate man who is drawn into a dangerous digital underworld.
The ensemble cast includes William Benson, Bucci Franklin, Stella Damasus, Bimbo Akintola, Michael Ejoor, Chidi Mokeme, Lilian Afegbai, Ireti Doyle, Teniola Aladese and Sunshine Rosman.
Afegbai, a former Big Brother Africa contestant turned actress and producer, made her production debut with Bound in 2018 and has gone on to feature in several films, including Double Strings and Merry Men 3. Her role as Idia in To Kill a Monkey adds to her growing list of career milestones.
