Lizz Njagah

Lizz Njagah
Born Elizabeth Anne Achieng' Njagah
26 December
Nairobi, Kenya
Occupation
  • Actress
  • director
  • film producer
Years active 1998–present
Known for House of Lungula
Makutano Junction
Spouse(s) Alexandros Konstantaras
Children 1

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.

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.

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–present Tinsel Tere Duke
2014-present Jane & Abel Jane Main role
2014 Drift Beyond Conscious Television film
Live or Die Rose Television film
2015-present 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

  1. ↑ "Lizz njagah and woos". afrinolly.com. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Early life and struggles". allafrica.com. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  3. ↑ "Lizz and Alex wedding". bellanaija.com. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Tinsel actress marries". ladunliadinews.com. Retrieved October 11, 2015.
  5. ↑ Jesaro, May (11 February 2016). "Actress Lizz Njagah and hubby Alex Konstantaras welcome baby boy". Standard Digital Entertainment. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  6. ↑ Chelagat, Joey (16 February 2016). "Actress Lizz Njagah reveals face of her newborn son". Citizen Digital. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Eve. "Life beyond the screen". www.standardmedia.co.ke. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Tinsel". africamagic.dstv.com. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Lizz Njagah in Return of Lazarus". creativesgarage.wordpress.com. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  10. ↑ Ameya W Debrah (September 15, 2013). "House of Lungula starring, Lizz Njagah,Ian Mbugua and Sarah Hassan". ameyawdebrah.com. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Full preview of new hit series". indiewire.com. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Preview of dramedy series". indiewire.com. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  13. ↑ "Fundamentals a new mental sex comedy by historia films". nairobinow.wordpress.com. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  14. ↑ Capital Lifestyle (11 September 2011). "Vote for your 3rd edition Kalasha Awards winners". 98.4 Capital FM. Retrieved 7 January 2016.
  15. ↑ "Lizz Njagah wins best actress award in London-Greek film festival". ameyawdebrah.com. Retrieved October 17, 2015.

External links

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