As Hollywood-based Nigerian actors like David Oyelowo, Yvonne Orji, John Boyega and more continue to make strides in the world of film and television, Nollywood actors are increasingly showing that they can pull their weight in the same space. Thanks to Atlanta-based talent outfit People Store Agency and cast agent Chase Paris, Joseph Benjamin is the latest actor to land a role on American television.

It’s worth mentioning that the show is Greenleaf, one of the properties on Oprah Winfrey’s eponymous channel Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN) created in 2011. Created by award-winning writer/producer Craig Wright (Lost, Brothers and Sisters) and with Lionsgate and Winfrey as executive producers, Greenleaf debuted on OWN in 2016 and now in its third season, the show revolves around the Greenleaf family and their sprawling Memphis megachurch, where scandalous secrets and lies are as numerous as the faithful. Born of the church, the Greenleaf family love and care for each other, but beneath the surface lies sibling rivalry, adultery, greed and conflicting values that threatens to tear apart the very core of the faith that holds them together.

 

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This right here was a humbling moment for me. Only God can make such things happen. As long as you maintain a positive mental attitude. Nothing is impossible. You just keep going. It might not happen immediately, but it sure will. This was a proud moment for Nigeria and Africa at large to see us well represented. This is just the beginning. Greatness awaits those who will rise in the morning and soar with the winds of beauty that God adorns each new day with. He said he makes all things beautiful in His own time. All Glory to Him, for every good and perfect gift comes from Him. Thank you @owntv @greenleafown @lionsgatetv for putting me on this . Thank you for the opportunity to represent Nigeria. Thank you @oprah like my friend @dani_deette said I can proudly call you my boss now thank you @peoplestoreagency for taking me this far thank you @tarafeldsteinbennett @chase68 for casting me on this I am still coming to your office one of these days thank you @lammanruckerofficial @thekimhawthorne for creating an enabling environment. How can I forget. Thank you my friend @mikesenior for taping me on this one and helping me push through it.

A post shared by Joseph Benjamin (@iamjosephbenjamin) on Nov 1, 2018 at 5:20am PDT

Benjamin made an appearance in Wednesday’s episode as Joseph Obi, the new church accountant and in a scene with Kerissa Greenleaf (Kim Hawthorne), Joseph informs her that there’s something shady going on with the account books, a transfer of $200,000 worth of church offering into an external account by Bishop James Greenleaf (Keith David). While it’s easy to get carried away by the presence of Hawthorne and her acting, Benjamin rises to the occasion. The actor also joins Greenleaf cast members like Merle Dandridge and Lynn Whitfield, and we hope he gets more screen time on the show.

Bernard Dayo

When Bernard Dayo isn’t writing about pop culture, he’s watching horror movies and reading comics and trying to pretend his addiction to Netflix isn’t a serious condition.