Things Fall Apart is an upcoming television series based on Chinua AchebeâÂÂs 1958 novel of the same name. The series is set to star Idris Elba as the protagonist, Okonkwo.
The adaptation was announced in September 2024, with A24 acquiring the rights to Achebe's novel. Idris Elba and David Oyelowo joined as executive producers, with Elba also taking on the lead role of Okonkwo. Elba's production company, 22 Summers, and Oyelowo's Yoruba Saxon Productions are collaborating on the series.
The announcement of Idris Elba portraying Okonkwo sparked intense debate on the importance of cultural authenticity. On the other hand, a more liberal group supported ElbaâÂÂs casting, emphasizing the universal appeal of Things Fall Apart as global literature rather than an exclusively Igbo land narrative.