Lizz Njagah
Elizabeth Anne Achieng' Njagah Konstantaras (born 26 December), or simply credited as Lizz Njagah, is a Kenyan actress, film director and producer.[1] She has appeared in a number of television series and films. She is one of Kenya's most celebrated actresses and quite notable for having leading roles in both television and film projects.
Lizz Njagah | |
---|---|
Born | Elizabeth Anne Achieng' Njagah 26 December Nairobi, Kenya |
Occupation |
|
Years active | 1998–present |
Known for | House of Lungula Makutano Junction |
Spouse(s) | Alexandros Konstantaras ( m. 2012) |
Children | 2 |
Early life
Born and raised in Nairobi, Lizz was the seventh born among 10 siblings. Her mother died years later and her aunt took over as their guardian.[2]
Personal life
Lizz married filmmaker and director Alex Konstantaras on 10 June 2012 at St. Alexandros church in Greece.[3][4] On 10 February 2016, the couple welcomed their first son,[5] Georgios Apolo Konstantaras.[6]
Career
1998-early and mid 2000s: Early showbiz career
Lizz's career began in 1998 after she joined the Kenya National Theatre. She played various plays for one year, before she was awarded a two-year internship with Phoenix Players, where she had a number of roles and also doubled as Membership Secretary. She also appeared in a number of TV commercials for different brands including Lux Beauty Soap, Telkom Kenya, EABL's Fungua Fanaka promotion. She toured South Africa, Mozambique and Kenya with Seok Ho Lee's Play "Sara Baartman and the Four Karma's"
2006-10: Makutano Junction and venture in film industry
In 2007, she was cast as lead actress in Kenyan educative soap opera Makutano Junction as Nancy. She played with the likes of Maqbul Mohammed, Peter King Nzioka and Naomi Kamau.[7] In 2010, she produced and played in a movie, Me, My Wife and Her Guru.[7]
2011-12: Saints, Return of Lazarus
In 2011, she played the protagonist in medical drama series Saints. She got a role as a series regular in M-Net's Nigerian drama, Tinsel. She starred in the television series from its fourth season.[7][8] In 2012, she was cast as the lead in Greek/Kenyan road film, Return of Lazarus, for which she won a Best Actress award at the London Greek Film Festival for her portrayal of a Kenyan immigrant.[7][9]
2013-14: House of Lungula, Jane & Abel, Veve
In 2013, she and her husband Alex Konstantaras produced the award-winning movie House of Lungula. The movie received several awards and nominations and mainly got positive reviews from critics. She played Lola Taylor, wife of Ian Mbugua's character.[10] In 2014, she returned to television when she starred in Maisha Magic's television series, Jane and Abel. She played Jane, a loving mother and the central character of the soap opera. She also played in film, Veve. In 2015, she played leading lady in the drama-comedy How to Find a Husband.[11] She played alongside Sarah Hassan, Mumbi Maina, Nana Gichuru and Nice Githinji.[12]
2015-present: Fundi-Mentals, Pearls of Africa
She also had the main role in the erotic comedy film Fundi-Mentals. She played with other notable actors like Gerald Langiri.[13] She has also played in the film Pearls of Africa that is yet to be released.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | Me, My Wife And Her Guru | Angela | Nominated — Kalasha Awards for Best Lead Actress in a Film[14] |
2012 | The Return of Lazarus | King'ora | |
2013 | House of Lungula | Lola Taylor | Also executive producer and writer |
2014 | Deceit | Sheila | |
2014 | Veve | Esther | |
2015 | Fundi-Mentals | Also executive producer | |
TBA | Pearls of Africa | Tess | Post-Production |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2007–present | Makutano Junction | Nancy | Main role |
2011 | Noose of Gold | Featured | |
2011 | Saints | Dr. Salma Suleiman | |
2012 | Tinsel | Tare Duke | |
2014 | Jane & Abel | Jane | Main role |
2014 | Drift Beyond Conscious | Television film | |
Live or Die | Rose | Television film | |
2015 | How to Find a Husband | Abigail | Main role |
Awards and nominations
Year | Association | Award | Project | Result | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | London-Greek Festival Awards | Best Actress | Return of Lazarus | Won | [15] |
References
- "Lizz njagah and woos". afrinolly.com. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
- "Early life and struggles". allafrica.com. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
- "Lizz and Alex wedding". bellanaija.com. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
- "Tinsel actress marries". ladunliadinews.com. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
- Jesaro, May (11 February 2016). "Actress Lizz Njagah and hubby Alex Konstantaras welcome baby boy". Standard Digital Entertainment. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- Chelagat, Joey (16 February 2016). "Actress Lizz Njagah reveals face of her newborn son". Citizen Digital. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
- Eve. "Life beyond the screen". www.standardmedia.co.ke. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- "Tinsel". africamagic.dstv.com. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- "Lizz Njagah in Return of Lazarus". creativesgarage.wordpress.com. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- Ameya W Debrah (September 15, 2013). "House of Lungula starring, Lizz Njagah,Ian Mbugua and Sarah Hassan". ameyawdebrah.com. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- "Full preview of new hit series". indiewire.com. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- "Preview of dramedy series". indiewire.com. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- "Fundamentals a new mental sex comedy by historia films". nairobinow.wordpress.com. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
- Capital Lifestyle (11 September 2011). "Vote for your 3rd edition Kalasha Awards winners". 98.4 Capital FM. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
- "Lizz Njagah wins best actress award in London-Greek film festival". ameyawdebrah.com. Retrieved October 17, 2015.