The filmmaker revealed that Portuguese actor Pedro Teixeira and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, have joined the cast of the highly anticipated production. Afolayan made the disclosure via his Instagram page while presenting the thriller-themed trailer for the new season.
The development marks Dabiri-Erewa’s acting debut, while Teixeira brings international experience to the project, having featured in productions such as Festa é Festa, Irregular, and Destinos Cruzados. As of press time, specific details of the roles played by both were yet to be disclosed.
They are part of a robust ensemble of newly introduced cast members, including Bukunmi “KieKie” Adeaga-Ilori, Teniola Aladese, Antar Laniyan, Joke Muyiwa, Saidi Balogun, Adeoluwa “Saga” Okusaga and Tayo Faniran, among others.
Several familiar faces also return from earlier instalments of the franchise. These include Sola Sobowale as Awarun, Bimbo Ademoye as Arolake, Owobo Ogunde as Bashorun, Taiwo Hassan as Alaafin Ademuyiwa, Gabriel Afolayan, Lateef Adedimeji, Ronke Oshodi-Oke, Moji Afolayan, Aisha Lawal, Adebayo Salami, Jide Kosoko and Eyiyemi Afolayan.
Afolayan disclosed that Anikulapo: The Ghoul Awakens was filmed at the KAP Film Village and Resort in Oyo State, Nigeria, as well as in Cape Coast, Ghana. He described the new season as one that deepens the story’s emotional and political tension, spanning both local and foreign landscapes.
According to the filmmaker, the series explores the cost of power, testing love and loyalty as characters battle for survival in an unforgiving world. He noted that the narrative challenges long-held assumptions, positioning survival as the ultimate symbol of power.
The Anikulapo franchise began with the original film, which premiered on Netflix in September 2022. This was followed by the first series, Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre, released in March 2024.
The story centres on Saro, a traveller who returns from the afterlife with a mystical amulet that grants him resurrection powers. His complicated romance with Arolake and his deviation from his destiny set off a chain of betrayal, revenge and political intrigue within the 17th-century Oyo Empire.
In Rise of the Spectre, Saro faces the consequences of his actions, confronting new enemies, including Bashorun, while being forced to reckon with those he previously revived and his enduring bond with death.
Afolayan also expressed appreciation to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde for his support and contribution to the project’s success.
With its expanded cast, international collaboration and deeper exploration of power and consequence, Anikulapo: The Ghoul Awakens is poised to build on the success of its predecessors when it debuts on Netflix later this month.