Lizz Njagah

Lizz Njagah
Born
Elizabeth Anne Achieng' Njagah

26 December
Nairobi, Kenya
Occupations
  • Kenyan Actress
  • director
  • film producer
Years active1998–present
Known forHouse of Lungula
Makutano Junction
Spouse
Alexandros Konstantaras
​
​
(m. 2012)​
Children2
AwardsLondon-Greek Festival Awards, 2013

Elizabeth Anne Achieng' Njagah (born 26 December) known as Lizz Njagah, is a Kenyan actress, film director and producer.[1]

Early life

Born and raised in Nairobi, Lizz is 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 the Church of St. Alexander 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 up as the Membership Secretary. She also appeared in a number of TV commercials for different brands including Lux Beauty Soap, Telkom Kenya and 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 the lead actress in the 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 the 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, The Return of Lazarus,[9] for which she won a Best Actress award at the London Greek Film Festival for her portrayal of a Kenyan immigrant.[7][10]

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. She played Lola Taylor, wife of Ian Mbugua's character.[11] 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.[12] 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 The Pearl of Africa that was released in 2016.[14]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2010 Me, My Wife And Her Guru Angela Nominated — Kalasha Awards for Best Lead Actress in a Film[15]
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 Mrs. Juma Also executive producer
2022 Bargain Bride Directed by Alexandros Konstantaras
TBA The Pearl of Africa Tess Post-Production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2007–2015 Makutano Junction Nancy Main role

179 episodes

2011 Noose of Gold Featured
2011 Saints Dr. Salma Suleiman
2012 Tinsel Tare Duke 3 episodes
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

2 episodes

2017 News Just In Lavender TV Series

Awards and nominations

Year Association Award Project Result Ref
2013 London-Greek Festival Awards[16] Best Actress Return of Lazarus Won [17]
2013 Papyrus Magazine Screen Actors Awards (PAMSAA) Best Kenyan Actress Won [18][19]

References

  1. ^ "Lizz njagah and woos". afrinolly.com. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  2. ^ Mukei, Catherine (20 April 2012). "Kenya: I Could See the Actress in My Daughter Lizz From the Time She Was Ten". All Africa. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  3. ^ "BN Celebrity Weddings: Tinsel Star Lizz Njagah weds her filmmaker beau Alexandros Konstantaras in Greece". Bella Naija. 26 June 2012. Archived from the original on 28 January 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  4. ^ Liadi, Ladun (23 June 2012). "Tinsel Star, Actress Lizz Njagah Marries". Ladun Liadi News. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 11 October 2015.
  5. ^ Jesaro, May (11 February 2016). "Actress Lizz Njagah and hubby Alex Konstantaras welcome baby boy". Standard Digital Entertainment. Archived from the original on 12 February 2016. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  6. ^ Chelagat, Joy (16 February 2016). "Actress Lizz Njagah reveals face of her newborn son". Citizen Digital. Archived from the original on 28 November 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  7. ^ a b c d Owino, Anjellah N. (1 November 2014). "Lizz Njagah:My career is beyond the screen". The Standard. Archived from the original on 30 November 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  8. ^ "Tinsel Archives". Africa Magi. Archived from the original on 20 July 2015. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  9. ^ Konstantaras, Alexandros (2012-08-23), The Return of Lazarus (Drama), Dimitris Ainalis, Yota Kallini, Alexandros Koch, retrieved 2024-11-25
  10. ^ "The Gorgeous Film Gladiator, Lizz Njagah". Creatives Garage. 28 February 2015. Archived from the original on 13 March 2016. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  11. ^ Scaro, VJ (15 September 2013). "Trailer: 'House of Lungula' starring Lizz Njagah, Ian Mbugua, Sarah Hassan and more premieres November 21". Ameyaw Debrah. Archived from the original on 11 May 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  12. ^ a b Obenson, Tambay A. (4 May 2015). "Watch Full Preview Episode of New Hit Kenyan Dramedy Series, 'How to Find a Husband' + Hear From the Woman Behind It". Indiewire - Shadow and Act. Archived from the original on 2 April 2016. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  13. ^ "Coming Soon! Fundamentals a New Mental Sex Comedy by Historia Films". Nairobi Now. 29 June 2014. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  14. ^ victorfraga (2016-04-14). "The Pearl of Africa". DMovies. Retrieved 2024-11-18.
  15. ^ "Vote for your 3rd edition Kalasha Awards winners". 98.4 Capital FM. 11 September 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  16. ^ "LONDON GREEK FILM FESTIVAL - Odysseus Awards". www.londongreekfilmfestival.com. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  17. ^ Scaro, VJ (23 October 2013). "The Return of Lazarus wins Kenyan actress, Lizz Njagah wins Best Actress Award in London Greek Film Festival". Ameyaw Debrah. Retrieved 17 October 2015.
  18. ^ Digital, Standard. "Kenyan actors win big in Nigeria". Standard Entertainment. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
  19. ^ Watiri, Sue (2013-12-11). "House Of Lungula Actors Bag Yet Another Big Win". Ghafla!. Retrieved 2024-12-01.
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