Ellah Maina Spills on Showmax Dramedy, Adam to Eve
By Admin
Nairobi, January 19, 2025 – When she burst onto the scene with her Kalasha-winning performance in Nick Mutuma’s Sincerely Daisy at the height of the pandemic, Ellah Maina instantly cemented herself as one of Kenya’s most promising actors.
Over the years, she has worked with renowned filmmakers, including Adam Neutzsky-Wulff on Crime and Justice and Second Family, while also featuring in indie productions such as Why U Hate, The Priest Is Dead, Ubuntu, The Cursed Gown and Into the Sadlands.
She now stars in Showmax’s Adam to Eve, playing Eve, formerly Adam, portrayed by Blessing Lungaho. The sharp, funny, and thought-provoking gender-swap dramedy follows a smooth-talking ladies’ man whose world is turned upside down when a mysterious curse forces him to live life as a woman.
In an exclusive interview, Ellah opens up about her latest project and her journey so far.
Who is Ellah Maina?
I am an actor, a voiceover artist, and an all-round filmmaker. My government name is Stella. Growing up, I was obsessed with Disney’s Cinderella, and somehow people around me just started calling me Ellah. The name stuck, and here we are.
I consider myself a very spiritual person. I am a sister and a first-born daughter, and if you know what that means in an African household, then you understand it is a full-time job. I honestly do not catch breaks from that role.
I also love plants and animals. I feel deeply connected to nature, and I think I am one of the most empathetic people I know. I tend to feel a personal connection with people almost instantly, whether we have known each other for minutes or years. I am naturally drawn to people.
You and your co-star Mathew Ngugi studied Film and Theatre Arts at Kenyatta University. How did you get your first career break?
People always assume I grew up as a drama kid, but that could not be further from the truth. In high school, basketball was my entire life. I was even the team captain. Drama festivals and ball games always clashed, and I was not about to trade a championship for a monologue.
Then Lupita won that Oscar. When she said, “No matter who you are or where you’re from, your dreams are valid,” I felt like she was speaking directly to me. From that moment, something shifted. I wanted to act. I needed to act. So when I joined Kenyatta University, I walked straight into Film and Theatre Arts knowing exactly what I wanted.
By the end of my first year, I walked into a random audition. I was not chasing anything big. I just showed up. A few days later, I got the call. I had landed the lead role on NTV’s The Trap House. If you remember the Kashamba girl, that was me, green as grass but giving it my all.
After that, everything started falling into place.
As for Mathew Ngugi, yes, we both studied film and theatre at KU. Here is the funny part. I honestly do not remember where or how we first met. I know he will roast me for that. But from the moment we connected, we were inseparable.
How has your career evolved working with the likes of Nick Mutuma and Adam Neutzsky-Wulff?
Sincerely Daisy changed everything for me. Working with creatives like Nick and Adam gave me a front-row seat to Kenya’s fast-rising film industry. It also opened doors to international filmmakers. That kind of access is not something I take lightly. It laid the foundation for my career, and I am eternally grateful.
What drew you to Adam to Eve?
At first, I was drawn to the project because the Freaky Friday-style concept sounded fun, and I love a good challenge. It is always a chance to uncover new layers as an artist and find out what I am really made of.
After I booked the role, I realised how real the story actually was. This fictional world told my story and that of most women, if not every woman. Nick Mutuma once told me that it takes a strong female lead to shape the minds of a generation, and that is exactly what I hoped to achieve with Adam to Eve.
How did you prepare to play a woman who was once a man?
It was definitely not average preparation. I went a bit method for this role. I studied everything, how men walk, talk, sit, chew, and even how they shower. It was about observing life through a testosterone-fuelled lens.
I spent time in different bars, from local joints to high-end spots, just watching how men behaved once the drinks kicked in. That is when the masks drop and you see who people really are. It became the perfect case study, raw and unfiltered masculinity in motion.
Which moment in the show changed how you view gender expectations?
There is an episode where Eve gets her period, and it hit me differently. Period shaming is so not cool. It is shocking that even in 2025, we are still dealing with stigma and misinformation around something as natural as female reproductive health. We need to educate ourselves and each other and show a little more empathy.
The series tackles serious themes through humour. How did you find the right emotional balance for Eve?
I honestly loved having Alex as my director. He is silly, fun, and brilliant all at once, which made the entire experience smooth.
That said, I also consume a lot of comedy. Statistics would probably confirm that I do have a solid sense of humour, mostly dad jokes, but hilarious nonetheless.
What do you hope women watching Eve’s journey will take away from the show?
I hope women feel accurately represented through Eve’s struggles. I hope they feel seen, heard, and validated. We know it is not easy, but we thrive anyway. That is how powerful we are. When we fully tap into our feminine energy, we become unstoppable. Stand up, Queen.
What was your experience working opposite Blessing Lungaho in such layered scenes?
It was fun having a twin, even though our physical forms were very different. Blessing is a strong actor, so it was easy to build that brotherly bond, which is exactly what Eve and Makori needed.
If you could spend one day as Eve in real life, what would you do first?
Honestly, I am not sure I would want to be Eve. She is great, but her life was chaotic. She was always crashing out. But if I had to choose, I would probably go out for a wild night in Vegas with the work crew. Mrs Obama and Mr Babu would be invited too. One thing about Eve, just like Adam, she knows how to party.
Who or what inspires you creatively?
I look at Lupita Nyong’o and Thuso Mbedu and see myself. One day, I know I will star in a film with each of them, and that will be a big day for Africa and for girls like me everywhere. Edi Gathegi is also doing incredible work in Hollywood.
Wanuri Kahiu is another huge inspiration. When Rafiki came out and sparked so much controversy, I loved that it got people talking. It shows how far we still have to go as an industry and as a society. We need to be more open-minded and tell the stories happening around us every day.
What’s your go-to comfort snack after a long day on set?
An avocado sandwich with runny eggs and chilli oil.
What is your guilty pleasure show or movie?
The gory universe of The Boys, Gen V and Invincible.
What’s one thing fans would be surprised to learn about you?
I had the craziest tomboy phase as a teenager.
What are you currently listening to on Spotify?
Hiphopera, a fusion of hip hop and opera, and the Mkurugenzi Podcast.
