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A13 Films has unveiled Sirrin Amarya (The Bride’s Secret), a 26-episode series, with each episode running 26 minutes, commissioned by MultiChoice Nigeria, a CANAL+ company, for Africa Magic. The title captures the series’ central mystery: a bride who vanishes moments before her marriage, triggering a tense psychological game of betrayal, hidden motives, and family secrets that spans generations.
The story follows the disappearance of the young woman on the day she is due to marry a prominent Northern Nigerian businessman. As scandal engulfs both families, the businessman’s eldest son, a principled man determined to uncover the truth, begins searching for answers. His investigation reveals a decades-old conspiracy built on corruption, forbidden love, betrayal, and carefully planned revenge. Rather than relying on a conventional police procedural structure, the series unfolds as a layered psychological thriller in which every family member is both suspect and victim. Each revelation forces viewers to re-examine what they thought they understood about loyalty, honour, and the past.
Developed as a premium serialised drama, Sirrin Amarya combines cinematic production values with the steady, addictive rhythm of a mystery while remaining deeply rooted in Hausa culture, traditions, and emotional complexity. It stands as one of the more ambitious Hausa-language scripted projects commissioned by Africa Magic, reflecting a shared focus on culturally grounded stories that can travel beyond their immediate setting.
Atinuke Ngozi Babatunde, Executive Head, Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice Nigeria, noted that the series reflects the company’s commitment to hyperlocal language productions. “Sirrin Amarya is a bold, character-driven drama rooted in the culture and traditions of Northern Nigeria, while telling a story with universal emotional appeal. That’s what makes it such a compelling addition to Africa Magic Hausa, and we’re proud to be bringing it to audiences in partnership with A13 Films.”
The series is executive produced and show-run by British-Nigerian filmmaker Chidozie Christian Ahaiwe, founder of A13 Films. Ahaiwe began his career at Vertigo Films, contributing to productions including the BAFTA-nominated Monsters and Bronson, before working with NBCUniversal and Sony Pictures Television. He later executive-produced and co-directed the award-winning documentary EndSARS: Lekki Massacre, which won Best Documentary Feature at the Rome International Movie Awards, and is currently directing and producing the feature documentary G Boyz. Most recently, he has been developing the international romantic comedy My Nigerian Fiancé, which was announced at the Cannes Film Market and highlighted by Variety as a UK–Nigeria–Hong Kong co-production.
Speaking about the project, Ahaiwe said: “I’ve always believed the next globally successful African dramas won’t come from imitating international television; they’ll come from telling our own stories with confidence, authenticity and cinematic ambition. Sirrin Amarya is deeply rooted in Northern Nigeria, but its themes of love, betrayal, family, shame and revenge are universal. Our ambition is to create a series that resonates just as powerfully in Kano as it does in Johannesburg, Paris or London.”
Commissioning Editor Chiamaka Lovelyn Ebochue added that the project aims to elevate local narratives. “We want to show that a distinct story can make a powerful impact, demonstrating how deeply rooted Northern storytelling can engage audiences everywhere as a compelling global cultural practice.”
Head Writer TigerFireRose, who leads the writers’ room, emphasised emotional authenticity as the series’ core strength. “We want audiences to forget they’re reading subtitles and lose themselves in a richly authentic Hausa story. At its heart are universal emotions like love, betrayal, passion, shame and revenge, reminding us that languages may differ, but human emotions are universal.”
Victor Sanchez Aghahowa, Head of Production, West Africa at MultiChoice Nigeria, a CANAL+ company, described the series as a significant addition to the Africa Magic slate. “Sirrin Amarya represents a bold new engaging drama, proudly rooted in Northern Nigerian culture. We believe this has all the ingredients to become one of Africa Magic Hausa’s defining scripted dramas.”
As MultiChoice Nigeria continues to expand its premium scripted offerings under the CANAL+ banner, Sirrin Amarya is positioned as a flagship Africa Magic Original. It brings together cinematic craft, long-form storytelling, and authentic Northern Nigerian voices. Production is scheduled to begin in Northern Nigeria, with the series set to premiere exclusively on Africa Magic.
In Summary
Sirrin Amarya (The Bride’s Secret) offers a carefully constructed psychological thriller that draws its power from Northern Nigerian culture. Through the partnership of A13 Films and MultiChoice Nigeria, the series sets out to expand what audiences expect from Hausa-language drama and to place stories from the region firmly on a wider stage.
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