The Story⚡
The Party series held the number one spot on Netflix Nigeria for over 10 weeks in 2025. Director Yemi Morafa discusses the production and viewer responses.
Tell Me More
In an interview, Yemi Morafa reflected on the experience of directing “The Party” and its reception among viewers.
When the series reached the top spot on Netflix Nigeria, Morafa admitted he almost couldn’t believe it at first. “But when you consider that we held the number one spot for over 10 weeks and remained in the Top 10 TV shows for a long stretch, it really puts things into perspective,” he said. “I’m thankful that so many people got to experience our work.”
He had anticipated certain reactions to key moments, but viewers responded differently than expected. For the scene where Detective Hassan Bulus realises who the culprit is, Morafa thought audiences would be surprised by the reveal. Instead, the feedback focused on the ending: “I kept hearing, ‘Is this how it’s going to end?’ ‘So who’s the killer?’ ‘Guy, there must be a season two.’ ‘Where’s episode four?’” He added, “And I just thought… well, at least they loved the show.”
When he was asked what he would change if he could remake the series, Morafa said nothing stood out. “I’m just grateful we made number one.”
On the possibility of a second season, he deferred to the producer: “I’ll leave that question to my producer, Judith Audu.”
The most expensive scene to film was the party sequence itself. “The narrative pattern ties back to so many reveals in the show,” Morafa explained. “From the stunt sequence to the party setup, to the rain that made us shoot an extra day after three days straight, to all the foreground and background actors, and the action vehicles. Omo, na the party scene.”
The Technical Setup for Bobo’s Fall
Morafa gave detailed insight into the rig work for Bobo’s fall scene, played by Kunle Remi. The actor was suspended for an extended period while the stunt, VFX, practical effects, and camera teams collaborated closely. “We had to program intermittent lights falling across his face to sell the illusion of motion as he dropped, while KR slowly swayed his body to control the sense of gravity and descent,” Morafa said. Much of the technical effort remains subtle in the final cut, but he believes it delivered the intended emotional and visual impact.
The “Stirring the Hot Soup” Scene
Morafa explained his directorial vision for the interrogation scene between Chief and Chief Mrs. Balogun (Bimbo Manuel and Shaffy Bello). He instructed cinematographer Jonathan Kovel to execute a continuous 360-degree tracking shot that circles the characters. “I wanted the camera to keep circling them, almost like someone slowly stirring a pot of soup,” he said. The movement was designed to heighten tension ahead of a major household revelation. “In my mind, that meant the soup was ready to be served and served hot. And boy, did we serve it.” He noted that Shaffy Bello’s performance in that moment made it the most discussed scene of the series.
Finally, Morafa addressed whether personal experiences shaped the story. After a brief joke, he clarified that the series is based on real events, primarily from the perspective of one of the executive producers. “I just added a little Filmboy to it.”
In Summary
The Party is a gripping Nigerian thriller that blends suspense, family secrets, and twists into a binge-worthy ride that dominated Netflix Nigeria’s Top 10 for months. Inspired by real events, the series leaves viewers desperate for answers and possibly a second season. Stream all episodes now, exclusively on Netflix.
Thanks for Reading.
Shockng.com covers the big creators and players in the African film/TV industry and how they do business.
Let’s be friends on Instagram @Shockafrica
