Kenyan director Likarion Wainaina, renowned for his groundbreaking work on the award-winning film Supa Modo, is pushing creative boundaries again with his latest project.
Likarion is back with Kenya’s first-ever sci-fi series, Subterranea which is set to premiere on Showmax on 26 September 2024.
Subterranea is an ambitious eight-part series produced by Kibanda Pictures. The story follows eight participants in a psychological experiment, confined to an underground bunker to study the effects of isolation and close-quarter relationships. However, as the outside world unexpectedly collapses, the participants are trapped underground with no hope of escape.
The series boasts a stellar cast of Kenya’s finest actors, including Kalasha Award winners Foi Wambui (Crime and Justice), Peter Kawa (County 49), and Nice Githinji (The Caller). Joining them are Kalasha nominees Melvin Alusa and Melissa Kiplagat, both known for their roles in Country Queen, as well as Philippa Ndisi-Herrmann, the acclaimed filmmaker behind the award-winning documentary New Moon, who makes her acting debut in the series. The ensemble cast is rounded out by Makena Kahuha (Kina), Biko Nyongesa (Sense8), Pauline Komu (Groove Theory), theatre talent Dadson Gakenga (Subira), and newcomer Chintu Chudasama.
Likarion, who co-produces the series alongside creator and head writer Brian Munene, explained his vision: “In 2018, we made Kenya’s first superhero film with Supa Modo. Six years later, we’re presenting Kenya’s first-ever sci-fi series. There’s a misconception that sci-fi is always about futuristic settings or laser battles, but it can also explore the psychological impact of science on human behaviour. That’s what Subterranea is all about. It’s not about the future—it’s about how science challenges our characters in the present.”
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After earning over 50 international accolades for Supa Modo—including Best European Film for Children by the European Children’s Film Association in 2019, a Special Mention at the Generation 14Plus Berlin Awards in 2018, and the Artistic Bravery Prize at the 2018 Durban International Film Festival.
Subterranea promises to be a thought-provoking and culturally resonant series, marking another milestone in Kenyan filmmaking.
