4 Play
| 4 Play | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Crime Drama |
| Created by | James Kombo and Abigael Arunga |
| Written by | Abigael Arunga |
| Directed by |
|
| Starring |
|
| Country of origin | Kenya |
| Original languages | English Swahili |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Producer | James Kombo |
| Running time | 40-50 minutes |
| Production companies | Showmax CJ3 Entertainment |
| Original release | |
| Network | Showmax |
| Release | 25 November 2024 – 6 February 2025 |
4Play is a 2024 Kenyan crime drama series produced by CJ3 Production for Showmax , and the show stars Daniel Peter Weke, Maina wa Kungu, Bilal Wanjau, Elsaphan Njau, Patricia Kihoro, Habida Maloney, and Tracy Macharia.
Plot
[edit]Malik, Edu, Michael and Allan are four best friends who, despite their chaotic personal lives, find friendship, love and perseverance in Nairobi’s concrete jungle.
Cast
[edit]- Daniel Peter Weke as Malik
- Maina wa Kungu as Edu
- Bilal Wanjau as Michael
- Elsaphan Njau as Allan
- Patricia Kihoro as Candy
- Tracy Macharia as Phiona
- Habida Maloney as Lorna
Production
[edit]Development
[edit]According to the producer James Kombo, the show was conceptualized in 2018 together with writer Abigael Arunga. [1][2]
Casting
[edit]The cast was reported when the show was announced with a line-up of Daniel Peter Weke, Bilal Wanjau, Maina wa Kungu, Elsaphan Njora, Patricia Kihoro, Habida Maloney, and Tracy Macharia.[3]
Release
[edit]On 21 November 2024, Showmax released the first two episodes of the show and the subsequent episodes released on a weekly basis.
Reception
[edit]Critical and audience response
[edit]The show got a mixed reception. Business Daily Africa's Stanlaus Manthi in his mixed review said: " 4Play is a decent series that isn't afraid to tackle uncomfortable topics." [4]
Kelvin Kariuki of Sinema Focus said: "With sex shoehorned into almost every scene to “keep it spicy,” 4Play ends up as a flaccid and often disconcerting attempt at eroticism." [5]
References
[edit]- ^ Wanjala, Kaluka. "James Kombo speaks on developing Showmax's steamy adult drama, 4Play". Tech Arena. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ^ Mundia, Nicholas. "Head writer Abigail Arunga on the steamy Showmax Original 4Play". Showmax Stories. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ^ Serem, Queen. "Stars Align: Habida and Kihoro in Ouda's Final Work". Mpasho. Retrieved 16 November 2024.
- ^ Manthi, Stanlaus. "4Play: A raunchy look at Nairobi middle class men's struggles". Business Daily Africa. Retrieved 26 March 2025.
- ^ Kariuki, Kelvin. "Review: '4Play' is a Flaccid Portrait of Nairobi's Modern Men". Sinema Focus. Retrieved 26 March 2025.