British actor Idris Elba set to lead ‘Things Fall Apart’ series adaptation

The first book by well-known Nigerian author Chinua Achebe, ‘Things Fall Apart,’ is being adapted into a television series, with British actor Idris Elba slated to play Okonkwo.

Elba will also produce the project under his production business 22Summers, according to entertainment news source Variety, while actor David Oyelowo’s Yoruba Saxon will be the executive producer.

Things Fall Apart will tell the “story of Okonkwo (Elba), a fearless African warrior and leader who is resolute about preserving his people and culture,” according to the official description.

“As British colonizers disrupt his world, Okonkwo’s struggle to maintain power and tradition spirals into a heart-wrenching confrontation. His fierce resolve, a fatal flaw in the face of unstoppable change, makes him an unforgettable character, embodying the tension between strength, vulnerability, and adaptability,” the description read.

“Things Fall Apart,” which was first published in 1958 and has been translated into more than 60 languages, is regarded as one of the best books ever written.

Numerous honours have been bestowed on the book, including the Man Booker International Prize and the Nigerian National Merit Award.

Many people rank Achebe’s Things Fall Apart, the first in her African Trilogy, as one of the greatest books ever written. Arrow of God (1964) and No Longer at Ease (1960) followed.