Actress Modesinuola Ogundiwin has joined the cast of Clarissa, a film adaptation of English writer Virginia Woolf’s Mrs Dalloway.
The film also stars Sophie Okonedo, David Oyelowo, Ayo Edebiri, India Amarteifio, Joke Silva and Toheeb Jimoh.
It is directed by Nigerian twin filmmakers Arie and Chuko Esiri and was shot on 35mm film in late 2025.
Writing in a recent Instagram post, Modesinuola said, “I don’t even have words to qualify how I feel to be part of something so grand and beautiful and defining!! If nothing at all, it is a CONFIDENCE BOOSTER!! See the lineup of MY Co-stars nowww!!!
“And the Casting Director @sunkanmiadebayo thank you soooooo much!!!!!! Ooohhhh
“Y’all can now call me INTERNATIONAL SUPERSTAR!!!
“And to Chuko and Arie, I was in safe hands so thank you so much and @fortunenwa4 my guy for real for real!”
Clarissa follows a society woman in Lagos, played by Sophie Okonedo, as she prepares to host a party and unexpectedly reunites with people from her past over the course of a single night. The story explores memories, relationships and personal history in a modern Nigerian context.
The screenplay was written by Chuko Esiri, and the movie was produced by Arie and Chuko with partners including Theresa Park for Per Capita Productions and Nicholas Weinstock for Invention Studios. Executive producers include Sophie Okonedo, Dolly Omodolapo Kola‑Balogun, Osahon Okunbo and Jason Reif.
Funding for the film came from Africa‑based sources, including Afreximbank’s Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme and Lagos‑based MBO Capital.
Clarissa has been acquired by US distributor Neon, with Neon International handling international sales. The company is known for bringing global and independent cinema to theatres in the United States and other markets.
At the time of writing, a firm release date has not been announced, but Neon is reported to be planning a US cinema release later in 2026.
Modesinuola first came to public attention after winning the 12th edition of the reality television talent show The Next Movie Star in 2016.
She has appeared in Showmax telenovela Wura, where she played Kanyinsola Adeleke, a role that brought her wider recognition on Nigerian screens.
She has also appeared in TV dramas such as Rumour Has It and Refuge, and in films including Iwa Eda, Romoke’s Demon, My Fake Celebrity Boyfriend, and A Night in 2005.
