Lenana Kariba, a Kenyan actor known for his roles in “Auntie Boss”, “Single Kiasi”, “Selina”, among other films, can now add a new achievement to his portfolio: catching the attention of Shonda Rhimes, one of America’s most-influential TV producers and screenwriters.
Kariba, who recently acted in “Bridgerton”, one of Netflix’s most-watched romance television series, whose season 4 debuted with close to 40 million views in just four days, was thrilled when Shonda liked his post, sending his social media into overdrive.
He is not a main character in “Bridgerton”, but it is a big deal. Speaking to Nation Lifestyle recently, while on vacation with his family in Kenya, Kariba described the moment as surreal. “I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “To have someone whose work I admire so much notice my post, it’s honestly a dream.”
Your fans were surprised, but also thrilled when you revealed that you’d been cast in “Bridgerton”. Can you take us back to that moment you first found out you got the role?
It was pretty funny. When I auditioned, I didn’t even know it was for “Bridgerton”. I just knew I was auditioning for some royal footman role. They were keeping everything under wraps. Even the name of the show was like a code name, which I can’t even remember now.
So, I did the audition, got a call back, and went in for a fitting. That’s when it hit me: “Oh, this is a royal footman!” You know, like the ones in the UK who serve the king or the queen. I had never watched “Bridgerton” before auditioning, so I had no idea.
They put the wig on me, it was so strange, and they gave me the costume. I remember telling my wife about it and her saying, “That’s 'Bridgerton! Now you have to do it.” I knew it was a big show, but until that moment, I didn’t really connect the dots.
What was your reaction when it finally became public after keeping it under wraps for nearly a year?
The hardest part, I have to say, was keeping it under wraps. I had wanted to post it [on social media] for so long. I’d mentioned it to close friends and my family, but they couldn’t spill the secret.
Part of me really wanted to talk about it, but another part thought it’s not a big deal. I thought, I’m just a background actor. You barely see me on screen. I didn’t want to blow it out of proportion. I just wanted to share that I had a small role in a huge show like “Bridgerton.”
When I finally posted, I didn’t expect it to go as far as it did. I thought people might just say, ‘Oh, good job,’ and that would be it. I didn’t imagine I’d be doing interviews or having it featured in stories.
An agency that represents you [an actor/actress] sends out an email whenever there’s a shoot. The email includes details about the show they’re casting for, the type of talent they’re looking for, and specific requirements like height or other attributes. If you’re interested, you respond, confirming your interest. Once you respond, the agency reviews your profile and may ask you to send photos or attend a fitting, and the process continues from there. Agencies have thousands, sometimes millions, of people, so the process is extremely competitive. I was very lucky to get through.
Lenana Kariba is an actor and film producer
Photo credit: Pool
When you arrived on set, what immediately struck you about the scale and professionalism of the production?
I felt like, wow, this is actually happening. They give you the location, a studio that’s basically a massive warehouse, like a hangar, filled with all kinds of sets. There are indoor and outdoor setups, roads, and buildings, everything you see in “Bridgerton”. The scale of it was insane. I was shocked. Everything was meticulous.
I’ve worked in productions in Nairobi, but this was on a grand scale. It wasn’t just the size or professionalism; it was the type of show. Because it’s a period piece, every set had to be built from scratch to match the time period. They didn’t rely on real locations; they constructed everything to create that world. It was incredible.
Yes, what it takes is belief and funding. Producing giant-scale sets and productions requires significant investment. People need to believe in the potential of the film industry for it to flourish. If we get that support, we could make something remarkable. Kenya has the talent and potential to reach that standard.
You’ve described it as an “epic” experience. Can you share a specific moment that encapsulated that feeling?
Man! There were so many unforgettable moments. I remember the very first day I got on set. The team walked me in through the gate, where they scanned me and collected all my belongings. Phones, anything digital that could take pictures… Its part of the process, but it definitely made the experience feel more intense.
After that, they led me to a holding area. Because it’s a Netflix production, the space was filled with reminders of the company’s other shows, posters, props, and even statues from past productions. I was blown away. And then I saw the huge “N” on the wall, I just couldn’t believe it. It was surreal.
Another moment that stands out was filming a scene with the Queen and the “Bridgerton” families. I was standing among them, and they were all so warm and welcoming. I kept thinking, this is incredible. I can’t believe I’m here. Even now, talking about it, it still feels unreal. It was truly an experience I’ll never forget, crazy, amazing, and completely unforgettable.
I can’t really say, well, not because I don’t want to, but because I honestly don’t know. They don’t shoot in sequence. Every time I’m called to set, I’m just told, ‘Do this. Do that.’ They’ll give me the scene, but not the bigger picture. It’s just a series of moments they’ve pieced together. Watching the finished product, it all clicks. But while I’m filming, it feels completely jumbled.
What was your reaction after watching the first four episodes, and how did your wife, who is a big fan of the show, react?
We binge-watched the first four episodes together. She was really excited, and I have to admit, it was fun seeing her reaction. She actually wanted to fast-forward, but I insisted we watch it all in order. There’s something special about watching it play out, seeing the surprises and twists in real time.
Kenyan actor Lenana Kariba during an interview at Canopy in Nairobi, Gigiri, on February 17, 2026, following his feature in Season 4 of Bridgerton, one of Netflix’s most popular global series.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation
Being the first Kenyan actor in “Bridgerton”, how does that feel?
I don’t even know if I’m the first Kenyan on “Bridgerton”. I mean, maybe I am, but here’s the thing: I really wasn’t expecting this to blow up this much. I thought some people would congratulate me, be nice, but the scale of the response has been beyond anything I imagined. My video even got a like from Shonda Rhimes, and I thought… wow. What made it even more special was that they didn’t know me. I’m just a background actor, someone off the radar. And yet, they took a moment to acknowledge me.
But to feel like I’ve put Kenya “on the map,” even in the tiniest way, in a show as huge as “Bridgeton”, it’s incredible.
You’ve worked extensively in Kenyan TV and film before this role. How does the international environment compare?
I’ve been asked this question before, and I always answer the same way. It’s not different at all, and people are often surprised when I say that. When I was on set, shooting, and working as an actor, I really understood that the experience is universal. Anyone who’s in this industry will recognise it.
Even on big studio productions, everything is the same: the audition process, being on set, the shooting schedule, the scripts, everything. The only difference is scale; it’s just on a grander level.
It’s hard to say right now because I’ve only watched the first four episodes. You know, I’m a background actor, or more accurately, I’m a royal footman. I basically act as a fly on the wall. I stand there and do my part, mostly just standing unless I’m directed to move or perform a small action. There might be more to come, but I can’t say much because I don’t know how they’ll edit the show. The next part comes out on February 26, so not too long from now.
What was it like working with castmates, many of whom are world-renowned actors?
It was surreal. I couldn’t believe it, how friendly and approachable these people are. Obviously, when you’re on set, you can’t just walk up and start chatting. They’ve got trailers and schedules, and you’re all in different situations. But once you’re actually there with them, they’re incredibly warm. They don’t put you down or make you feel small because of your position or where you are in your career. I definitely had a few starstruck moments. I remember thinking, “Okay, don’t say anything stupid. Don’t embarrass yourself. Don’t talk too much.”
Kagwe Mungai, Lenana Kariba and Wanjira Longauer pose for a photo during the launch of Tanqueray Sevilla at Tapas Civechie on March 6, 2021.
Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation
There were a few scenes we shot where I found myself standing next to these incredibly renowned actors. You’re standing behind the door, waiting to go, watching everyone before the director calls “Action.” You suddenly realise that these people are trained. They’ve studied. They’ve come from acting schools, and they’ve honed their craft. And you can see it happen in real time.
It put me in a place where I thought, “I have a lot to learn.” Even the smallest details stood out. The way they spoke was a specific style of English. For example, in “Bridgerton”, the way the characters speak isn’t how people talk today. And for some of the actors, that accent isn’t even their natural one. Yet they deliver it so effortlessly. It’s those subtle things that make you think, “I would love to do that one day.”
You’ve built a career over a decade with roles in “Single Kiasi”, “Selina”, “Plan B”, and an earlier Netflix credit in “Sense8”. Which experiences do you feel prepared you most for this moment on “Bridgeton”?
All. If “Bridgerton” had been my first time on set, I’d have been overwhelmed. But because of all the acting I’ve done, I was able to take it all in.
Looking ahead, does this role change the kinds of jobs you want to pursue, either in Kenya, the UK, or globally?
No. People see me coming from Nairobi and assume I have this “main character” energy because of the things I’ve done. Then I go to the UK, and I’m doing background work, and that genuinely doesn’t matter to me. For me, it’s about the work. I think any actor would feel the same.
So, have you moved to the UK permanently? And how long did it take for you to get your first audition for the first show since you moved to the UK?
When I first moved to the UK, work wasn’t even on my mind. I just wanted to settle in, spend time with my wife, and see what life was like. Once I started actively looking, I signed up with an agency. Within a few months, I got my first job.
Getting work as an actor in the UK isn’t as daunting as it might seem, though there are nuances.
I signed up with an agency, created a profile, and uploaded a small portfolio of previous work. Even if you haven’t done much, it’s not a barrier. Then, you start receiving emails from different productions almost daily. You just sift through them, see what fits, and respond if you’re interested. That part is simple; the challenge is actually getting the work. That first role turned out to be a stroke of luck: a production from Netflix for “Bridgerton.”
Lenana Kariba and Isaac Gabantu of Spielworks Media.
Photo credit: File | Nation
Many young actors in Kenya and Africa see your success as a sign of expanding horizons. What advice would you give them, especially about auditions, resilience, and pursuing international opportunities?
Resilience. Patience. And if you’re truly passionate about it, you won’t give up, because giving up is easy. Every day, you audition. You send out lots of emails and submit lots of tapes and recordings, and sometimes you don't hear back at all. It's easy to start thinking, “Maybe I'm not good enough.” But that’s not the case.
In Nairobi, it’s tough. Can you imagine how much tougher it is in the UK, New York or anywhere else where you want to do this work? The competition is intense. It’s even more challenging there because you need an agent. Agents don't just come to you; you have to convince them to represent you. You have to show them why you’re the one they should invest in and why you deserve this opportunity and this job.
Three and a half years, perhaps? I didn’t always plan to move to the UK, but I met my wife, Hellen, here in Nairobi. A few months later, she was promoted at work, which meant she had to move back to London.
By that point, our relationship had become really strong, so I decided to go with her. I dropped everything and went, leaving behind, including the shooting of “Single Kiasi”, which was an interesting conversation to have with Philip (producer of “Single Kiasi”). He asked if I was coming back, and I said I was. Of course, I came back, as you’ve seen and spent a few months shooting my scenes back-to-back so that I could get back to my family.
