Ghanaian telenovela Dede and Big Brother Naija S6 were among the top 10 most-watched African titles on Showmax in Ghana in 2021, according to 2021’s viewing statistics from Showmax.
Ever since it premiered in March 2021, Dede, which follows the tortuous romance between a girl from humble beginnings and her rich employer’s son, has been one of the most popular shows among Ghanaian viewers on Showmax.
Now in its 230th episode (and counting), Dede is directed and produced by the award-winning filmmaker Shirley Frimpong-Manso, known for Ghana’s box office hit The Perfect Picture (and its sequel) and the ground-breaking drama series Shampaign.
Speaking about the popularity of Dede, Shirley said, “I had hoped the show would be a home run, but it has certainly exceeded my expectations with the overwhelming support and popularity it has gained.”
Dede is Shirley’s first-ever telenovela project. She says this was a daunting experience at first but she fell in love with the fact that it was a Cinderella story. “That was my favourite childhood story. Plus it was a female-led role, which was the icing on the cake for me.”
Big Brother Naija S6: The Buzz, the Showmax exclusive hosted by Toke Makinwa, also featured in the coveted list of 2021’s most-watched, alongside another Ghanaian title – the drama series To Have and To Hold.
To Have and To Hold, which wrapped up production of season 1 in November 2021, follows three women (played by Lydia Forson, Naa Ashorkor and Zynell Zuh) as they navigate relationships and their careers in Accra.
Naa Ashorkor, who plays To Have and To Hold’s humble housewife Enyonam, said, “It feels good to be part of the winning team. We put in a lot to make this project successful. We worked hard on this project! I am happy Ghanaians love it.”
Ghanaians also loved the Ghanaian-Nigerian star-studded Showmax Original comedy series Ghana Jollof; The Mrs. and the Mistress, starring beloved Ghanaian actress Jackie Apiah; and Cartel: The Genesis, the action thriller starring Adjetey Anang as a dedicated agent who leads an elite unit to take down a powerful drug syndicate.
Other titles that made the list include Ghanaian comedy drama Little Problems, starring Godwin Namboh; the Showmax Original film Rogue, starring Megan Fox as a mercenary leading a team trapped between merciless militants and a killer lioness; and Nollywood film A Thousand Ways to Break a Cheating Man, directed by Kayode Kasum and starring Bimbo Ademoye and Uzor Arukwe.
See below the full list of the top 10 most-watched African TV shows and movies on Showmax in Ghana in 2021 (in alphabetical order)
A Thousand Ways to Break a Cheating Man – Movie
Big Brother Naija S6 – Reality series
Big Brother Naija S6: The Buzz – Reality, Talk show
Cartel: The Genesis – Movie
Dede – Telenovela
Ghana Jollof – Comedy-drama series
Little Problems – Movie
Rogue – Movie
The Mrs. and The Mistress – Movie
To Have and To Hold – Drama series
