<<Print>>

The MTV Staying Alive Foundation and MTV Base have revealed the key cast members for the upcoming production of Shuga � Lagos, the award-winning TV drama, which starts filming on location in and around Lagos this week. Hand-picked by director Biyi Bandele, the cast for the hotly anticipated series includes a mixture of well-known faces and some exciting newcomers. Beat FM DJ and Morning Rush host Maria Okanrende plays the key part of Foye � an ambitious radio and club DJ with a domineering mother. Singer-songwriter Tiwa Savage will also make her TV debut in Shuga in the role of Sade � glamorous owner of Badoo Tree nightclub, a favourite hangout of the key characters. �Oliva Tweest� star Dorcas Fapson takes on the role of Sophie � a failing student who�s not averse to using her body to get what she wants. The pivotal male role of Ekene � a young music promoter with a steady girlfriend but a roving eye � will be played by Okezie Morro , while �Tinsel� soap star Chris Attoh plays the role of Kofi, a domineering husband. Other key cast members include: Adeyemi Okanlawon (David) � a handsome medical student; �Dear Mother� child star Sharon Chisom Ezeamaka (Princess) � Sophie�s na�ve teenage sister; James Timini Egbuson (Tobi) � a conscientious student; Kachi Nnochiri (Osaro) � PA and �Mr Fixit� to a corrupt businessman; Leonora Okine (Malaika) � Sophie�s married friend; and Olumide Oworu (Weki) � Sade�s 16-year old nephew. The Shuga crew is also giving viewers the chance to get involved in the casting process by voting who gets to take two walk-on roles. Chosen from the hundreds who showed up for the public auditions in Lagos on 26 and 27July, six candidate�s auditions will be available for online voting from 14 August. Check out www.shuga.tv for details. The cast will join previously announced Shuga Series 2 stars Emmanuel Ikubese, who returns in the role of music promoter Femi, and Kenyan actor, singer and model Nick Mutuma who plays the role of Leo, a close friend of Femi�s from his Nairobi student days. To register your views on the Shuga cast; please go to www.Shuga.TV, like Shuga on www.facebook.com/MTVShuga; or follow Shuga on Twitter @MTVShuga.