The second season of Netflix’s Blood Sisters is out, and one of the most talked-about actors from the show is Gabriel Afolayan, who plays Femi Ademola. It’s no surprise as he is one of the most versatile actors in Nollywood.
Whether he’s in villain mode, playing a hopeless romantic, or fighting zombies in a Lagos slum, Gabriel Afolayan always understands the assignment. Here are his top ten acting performances across film and television.
10. Femi in Blood Sisters (2022 – Present)
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 8
Director: Several
Genre: Crime, Drama
Here, Gabriel Afolayan shines as Femi, the overlooked and insecure older brother who feels sidelined by his mother in the family’s affairs. Gabriel captures the “laid-back man pushed into wickedness by a toxic wife” trope. Alongside his calculating wife, Yinka (Kehinde Bankole), Femi literally plots to kill his brother for the CEO seat.
Watch Blood Sisters on Netflix.
9. Tavier in Hoodrush (2012)
Running time: 2h 26m
Director: Dimeji Ajibola
Genre: Drama
He plays Tavier Jabari, a hustling singer navigating the harsh realities of the Nigerian music industry along with a toxic romance. He delivered a powerful portrayal of a struggling artist navigating ambition and betrayal.
Hoodrush isn’t streaming anywhere at the moment.
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8. Wale in Gold Statue (2019)
Running time: 2h 25
Director: Trade Ogidan
Genre: Adventure, Comedy
He shines as Wale Esho, a young man who voluntarily gets himself locked up in a maximum-security prison just to find a hidden golden deity statue. In this movie, Gabriel gives an adventurous and thrilling performance.
Gold Statue is streaming on Netflix but is unavailable in Nigeria.
7. Afolabi in For Maria (Ebun Pataki) (2020)
Running time: 1h 16m
Director: Damilola Orimogunje
Genre: Drama
Gabriel plays Afolabi, the traditional and clueless husband who doesn’t understand his wife’s severe postpartum depression. His performance makes you deeply frustrated with him, but you also realise he isn’t a monster. He’s just painfully ignorant and overwhelmed.
For Maria (Ebun Pataki) is streaming on Netflix but is unavailable in Nigeria.
6. Ade in Inside Life (2024)
Season: 1
Episodes: 6
Director: Clarence Peters
Genre: Drama
Gabriel plays Ade, a man caught up in the dark, survival-of-the-fittest underbelly of the streets. Gabriel shines here because of his ability to portray desperation and the extreme, chilling lengths people will go to when pushed to the wall. It’s dark and intense. He delivered.
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5. Koyejo in Citation (2020)
Running time: 2h 31m
Director: Kunle Afolayan
Genre: Drama
He plays Koyejo, Moremi’s (Temi Otedola) boyfriend, who stands by her during her fight against a predatory university professor. He’s a romantic partner who would do anything for his babe.
4. Akin in Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre (2024 – Present)
Seasons: 2
Episodes: 12
Director: Kunle Afolayan
Genre: Fantasy, Drama
We see Gabriel play the compassionate and level-headed partner to Arolake (Bimbo Ademoye) as they chase survival outside the drama of Oyo. Amidst all the mystical drama, warlords and scheming, his gentle character commands attention even though the whole drama isn’t about him.
Watch Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre on Netflix.
3. Ayomide in Ayomi (2015)
Running time: 2h 29m
Director:
Genre: Drama, Romance
In this movie, Gabriel Afolayan is Ayomide, a childhood best friend and love interest of Rantimi (Bukunmi Oluwasina), a visually impaired woman. He brings so much warmth and vulnerability, showing us the beautiful, painful realities of navigating love, long-distance relationships, and heartbreak.
2. Kossi in Coming From Insanity (2019)
Running time: 1h 40m
Director: Akinyemi Sebastian Akinropo
Genre: Crime
Gabriel is Kossi, a Togolese child who goes from being a houseboy in Lagos to a genius, big-time counterfeit money printer. His performance is a mind-blowing “fake it till you make it” act. Viewers find themselves rooting for a whole criminal just because of how smoothly Gabriel played him.
Watch Coming From Insanity on Prime Video.
1. Romero in Ojuju (2014)
Running time: 1h 35m
Director: C.J. Obasi
Genre: Horror, Thriller
He plays Romero, a young man trying to survive and provide for his pregnant girlfriend, when a contaminated water supply turns his slum neighbours into flesh-eating zombies. His acting sells the horror of the dreadful situation.
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