The Showmax Original TV series Big Girl Small World has introduced a new star, Daina Njuguna, who is also a fresh face in Kenya’s film and TV industry.
Daina plays Aisha, a wild card whose free-spirited nature and carefree outlook on life often lands her in trouble.
After years of self-exile, Aisha returns to Nairobi seeking a new purpose and redemption for her past mistakes.
The thirteen episodes, directed by Nick Mutuma, will be available to binge on Showmax starting Wednesday, July 24.
Njuguna is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where she walked the same halls as Hollywood royalty Grace Kelly and legends like Jennifer Coolidge (The White Lotus), Anne Hathaway (The Devil Wears Prada), and Paul Rudd (Ant-Man).
“It’s awe-inspiring,” she says. “It’s a really old school and they have all these class photos from the 20s. It’s wild to think Grace Kelly walked down those same halls.”
Daina Relocates to Kenya
After graduation, Daina had a year to work in America but ultimately decided to return home.
She described her stay at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts as the best two years of her life, attributing her time there to finding a different version of herself.
“It was incredible, the best two years of my life. The program was like art therapy in a lot of ways, and I left it having found the most honest version of myself. And I got to do it in New York City. Magic!” she said.
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Aisha the Wildcard
Daina recalled earning her first role as Aisha as happening so fast that she didn’t have time to feel nervous until the test shoot.
She recounted panicking after the shoot as she was used to acting on stage rather than in front of a camera.
“It all happened so fast; I didn’t actually have time to feel nervous. It wasn’t until the test shoot that I started to panic. Most of my acting experience is on stage, so being in front of the camera had me shaking in my boots!”
She was drawn to the role of Aisha because she could relate to the character.
“I could see a lot of myself in Aisha. But she didn’t fully come into focus until I saw her wardrobe. I realized she’s like me, without brakes on. Her center is much like mine; she moves through this earth feeling her way around. Also, the fact that she had just moved back home. I know the feeling of starting over somewhere familiar. It’s a strange feeling: this is home, but where do I fit in?” Daina stated.
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Female Friendships
Daina expressed her love for female friendships, noting that they become steadier as people get older.
She reflected on how Aisha and Ciku’s efforts to navigate their reconnection despite the challenges of their pasts and time.
“I love female friendships. And as you get older, you realize female friendships are the sturdiest ships, so seeing Ciku and Aisha resolving their past and coming back together is my favorite thing. With all their history and all the time that has passed between them, reconnecting can get so complicated but it’s beautiful to see them navigate it with as much love as they can give, “she noted.
Lessons Learned
Daina also spoke about the lessons she had learned as a newcomer in the industry, noting that people care about what they do and how they do it.
She mentioned that in the Kenyan film industry, networking is the prime directive.
“Creatively, there are always lessons to learn when working with such a dynamic group of people. The one thing that is more of a reminder than a lesson is that people care about what they do and how they do it – it’s so inspiring to be around that consistently. I’ve also learned that in the Kenyan industry, networking is the prime directive,” she said.
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