Ozolua Uhakheme writes on Destiny Osagiede, who has become a household name in the entertainment industry. Osagiede is known for his remarkable ability to breathe life into diverse and complex characters. He is also a good interpreter of scripts and delivers his lines with professional touch.
When it comes to giving top-notch or premium entertainment as regards acting, Destiny Osagiede comes to mind. I have had the pleasure of witnessing Destiny Osagiede’s trajectory or would I dare say his remarkable journey as an actor, and I must say, his performance has not been short of excellence especially when he starred as Prince Adewale in the TV series “Blood of Enogie” in 2022 which is a testament to his growth and prowess in the craft of acting or rather, his capstone performance in my view.
I recall his other acting features, particularly his role as a ruthless hired assassin, ‘One Touch’ in “Enakhe” in 2020, where he gave what I would call a classic display of stark ruthlessness as an assassin. This has caused him to work with notable directors such as Femi Ogunsanwo, Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, and Victor Aghahowa, to mention but a few. He nailed the role, showcasing his ability to bring complexity and depth to his character. This cannot be compared to when he starred in the psychological thriller “The Therapist” where he took a more demure, reserved, and mentally taxing role as a titular character as opposed to the role he played as the crown prince of Ikire Kingdom in the TV show, Blood of Enogie. He took on a royal demeanour immersed in the tussle for justice and power which was evident in his superb acting performance. In fact, the switch between these triangular characters in different films shows that he’s not an actor that can be labelled, ‘a stereotype.’
Destiny’s role and backstory in Blood of Enogie as an innocent, slave boy whose history was smeared with lack of love and affection, no sense of identity, and one who was devoid of direction, shows his range of characterisation and versatility as an actor when juxtaposed with his role as the dancing masquerade in the movie, The Lost Okoroshi (Directed by Abba Makama in 2019). His dual performances in these films and TV shows were a masterclass in physical theatre. This is proof of his growth in his craft and it’s absolutely laudable. His dancing skills, honed from his theatre background, added a unique layer to his performance on screen. The film’s screening at the Toronto International Film Festival brought his talent to a broader audience. It was worth the hype it received since it premiered on a worldwide streaming platform – Netflix when it was released, and it’s no surprise that director Charles Uwagbai took notice, offering Destiny a lead role in Blood of Enogie. The series revolves around two Dukedoms, Isibor and Ikire, the former being plagued by a curse inherited from the former Enogie (ruler) who committed suicide and they must find a way to undo this, and the latter simply championing a curse to find his lost son (Prince Adewale) and return him home.
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As Prince Adewale, Destiny brings a depth and vulnerability that is captivating. However, he was rather compulsive in his dealings with other characters like his wife, Princess Iziegbe in the narrative arc thereby presenting a rather significant yet relatable character flaw in the story. I could not help but witness the significant twist made to his character in the later part of the series when he became the King of Ikire and the one-time all-loving and wise man, turned out to be arrogant and ill-mannered to his household, even taking on a maiden as a second wife. at this point, it all made sense to say his character was all-inclusive, as one could finally say there are no perfect humans and Prince Adewale finally showed us that we cannot all be too diligent and pure, the intricacies of life make us all-encompassing as imperfect people attaining perfection. Destiny has had a smooth working relationship with directors at home and in the diaspora. This is evident in the way he navigates the complexities and mental pressure his craft brings. I’ve had the pleasure of keenly evaluating Destiny’s artistic works, and I have seen his dedication, work ethic, and willingness to take risks. I believe the acting techniques he employs in his past projects have made notable directors in the industry find him worthy to star in their films.
His artistic versatility is shown in his love for culture and tradition. Therefore, playing the princely role in the series which has an IMDB rating of 8.2, brings to the fore his unique adaptation to the role at hand. The series aired on DStv, showcasing his talent to Africa and the world at large on a daily base, to millions of viewers. The show’s cultural significance, relevance, costume, makeup, iconic settings, and reliability have made it a global phenomenon. His costumes were rather sub-per considering the modern times we are in. I would rather prefer the costumes should have a fashion blend of the old and modern, touching the visual appeal of the exposed audience who have a strong distaste for poor fashion outlook but have a strong liking for a touch of fashion modernity even if showcasing indigenous tradition and culture. As a Prince, some of his costumes were very common and did not elevate him to the status of a Prince, they looked rather common materials and fittings, a better consideration/combination in my opinion should have been made to this effect.
This series has connected with audiences’ binge-watching and dissecting every aspect of the story which birthed its first season through to the grand finale. Despite all these, viewers yet viewers can’t get enough of the unique and exceptional story the cast brings to life. Conversation have been going on recently for a possible sequel to this production, which will have Prince Adewale who is already a king, getting to explore new height to his character. We keep our fingers crossed should there be a rebirth of this iconic series with a fresh story, beloved actors reprising their roles, and their reach, far beyond the tentacles of widespread viewership.
Destiny Osagiede’s performance and growth as an actor are glaring, and his dedication to his craft is inspiring. I personally desire a comeback of this story, but at this point, I can say that the director created a spectacle, and Destiny gave us a show from his artistic ingenuity.