Maria is a Kenyan prime-time romantic television drama directed by Julian S. Mwanzele. It stars Yasmin Said[1] depicting the eponymous character, alongside Brian Ogana and Bridget Shighadi, in their first television series. It premiered on 10 October 2019, and the last episode aired on 18 March 2021 after 374 episodes.[2] The series aired weekdays on Citizen TV in its 7:30 PM time slot EAT (UTC +03:00) and on Viusasa.

Maria
GenreTV drama series
Created byLulu Hassan
Written by
  • Ahmed Musa
  • Ibrahim Chitayi
  • Alex Ndavi
  • Abubakar Mwenda
Directed byJulian S. Mwanzele
Starring
Theme music composerIbrahim Chitayi
Opening themeBinti Kichaa
Country of originKenya
Original languages
No. of episodes374
Production
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time25 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkViusasa
Release10 October 2019 (2019-10-10) –
18 March 2021 (2021-03-18)
Related
Zora

The romantic drama camps around three characters— Maria, a prepossessing adopted ghetto girl; Luwi, the firstborn son of the wealthy Hausa family and Sofia, his wife whose motive is acquiring her connubial family fortune.

Plot

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The fictional story ensues about the life of Maria (Yasmin Said). Without the fortune to meet her parents, she is left under the care of her foster mother, Naomi, who also dies shortly after. She gets adopted by William Hausa, an affluent man from the city's wealthy suburbs, meeting Luwi, the family's eldest son. He plunges in love with her, notwithstanding his licit betrothal to Sofia. Maria learns of his love for her and reciprocates. After divorcing Sofia, Luwi proposes to Maria. Nonethel

less, the much-adored lomomentarilyoveers aroundrss sour when Mardiscoversrns that William, Luwi's dad, had a hand in the killing of her father and the acquisition of his wealth. When it is revealed that Victor isn't William's biological son, he banishes the entihouseholdily from their house and does all sorts indulgencesnce but later gets deranged. Victor is both Sofia's paternal and Luwi's maternal half-brother, divulgedled while the story gets a new twist. Willisurvivesersa pernicioushal accident that leaves him l. Also, er his conspiratorial plot with Meja, his house manager, gets Sandra locked behind bars. Betrayed by love, Sandra, who has always beenchantedted asmittensed with William, promises to retaliate. Maria, who had once planned to sue William for his past mistakes, sympathizes with him alastly resorts to forgivingves him. Maria agrees to Luwi's second-time proposal, and they both plan their wedding day. Coincidentally, Sofia is fortuitously shot and killed on the wedding day by Brenda, whose target is Maria. Silas proposes to Vanessa, much to Maggie's dismay, because she loves him, while William gets apprehended and later incarcerated, having been convicted for his crime. A few months have passed, and the newlywed couple is expecting a child. Luwi and Maria are touring Maasai Mara as they express their love and anticipate a lucid future.

Love interests in Maria

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  • Luwi and Maria
  • Silas and Vanessa
  • Victor and Sonia
  • Victor and Delilah

Cast and characters

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Sources:[3][4]

Main cast

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  • Yasmin Said as Maria Tino
  • Bridget Shighadi as Sofia
  • Brian Martins Ogana as Luwi Hausa
  • Ronald Ndubi as Victor
  • Dennis Musyoka as Boss William Hausa
  • Sheila Ndanu as Madam Victoria Hausa (aka Vickie)
  • Wanjiku Stephens as Vanessa Hausa

Supporting cast

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  • Linda Alexette as Tobi
  • Teddy Brown as Fali
  • Belinda Joana as Kobi
  • Aisha Hussein as Gloria
  • Umar Hussein as Pupa
  • Abdalla Ali as Jayden
  • Botul Abdalla as Marianne
  • Beatrice Dorea as Maggie
  • Blessing Lung'aho as Meja
  • Carol Kipsuto as Sandra
  • Periz Wambui as Salome
  • Terry Ombaka as Naomi
  • Robert Budi as Trevor
  • Grace Obuya as Sister Teresa
  • Tina Njambi as Lorna
  • Christopher Kamau as Daniel
  • Maureen Wangare as Brenda
  • Edna Nguka as Delilah
  • Musa Ore as Father Ezekiel
  • Nyakundi Isaboke as Silas
  • Timothy Musyoka as Ben
  • Tindo Mwanzele as Mwambe
  • Suzie Malaki as Rufina
  • Quincy Ando as Thomas
  • Edwin Buni as Koros
  • Sarah Malaki as Mama Chapo
  • Alice Mari as Kanini
  • Jane Mulanda as Dogo
  • Joseph Kiplabatt as Collo
  • Anthony Ashioya as Tekno
  • Brian Kibochi as Bondi

Cameo

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  • Aseem Sharma as Sonia

Reception

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Source:[5]

Pilot episode Finale episode Average
Air date Rating Air date Rating
10 October 2019 31.8% 18 March 2021 36.8% 29%

Reruns

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The reruns of weekday episodes of the show aired every Saturday at 4 PM EAT (UTC +03:00) until 20 March 2021.

See also

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Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2020 Kalasha Film & TV Awards Best Lead Actress in TV Drama Yasmin Said Won [6]
Best TV Drama Maria (TV series) [6]
Best Lead Actor in TV Drama Brian Ogana Nominated [6]

References

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  1. ^ "Meet the Beautiful "Maria" Yasmin Said and All Maria Show Cast Members with Pictures". Archived from the original on 29 November 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2021.
  2. ^ Otengo, Victor (18 March 2021). "Brian Ogana emotionally says goodbye to fans after conclusion of Maria TV show". Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. Retrieved 18 March 2021.
  3. ^ Ongaya, Victor (1 May 2020). "Citizen TV Maria cast: Actors and actresses full names and photos". Tuko.co.ke – Kenya news. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  4. ^ "Maria Citizen TV Full Cast & their Real Names, Age, Synopsis, Producers and Writers | Jambo News". 2 May 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  5. ^ Gitonga, Samuel (13 March 2020). "Citizen TV Dominates Entertainment Time Slots in Latest Rankings". Business Today Kenya. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  6. ^ a b c Victor Otengo (13 December 2020). "Yasmin Said and Sarah Hassan among big winners at Kalasha Awards". Tuko.co.ke. Retrieved 13 March 2021.