Beyond the Veil’ season 2 seeks to challenge stereotypes about Northern women

It was a night of glitz and glamour as Abuja socialites and celebrities stepped out for the private screening of “Beyond the Veil” season 2.

Co-produced by Nadine Ibrahim and Sifa Asani Gowon, Beyond the Veil is a Nigerian series that seeks to explore the different lives and phases of Northern women other than the stereotyped profiles that are popular in society. It addresses common societal issues such as mental health, domestic violence and conflicts common in polygamous families.

Speaking at the movie screening, Nadine Ibrahim mentioned that while season one of the series was an introduction into the lives of the character and representation of Northern women, season 2 seeks to dive deeper into the narrative and explore the obstacles that the characters face while trying to be their authentic self.

“I will not refer to the series as an advocacy project but rather as challenging the stereotypes that are tied to Nigerian women. For us, it was about showing a fresh narrative and showcasing to the world that northern women come in different faces.” Ibrahim said.

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Nadine further expressed her gratitude for the season 2 launch, saying, “The biggest challenge we faced was getting people to initially believe in the vision and trying to challenge the narrative of changing people’s minds.”

Co-Producer and writer, Sifa Asani Gowon stated that as a writer it was important to tell a story that is authentic and relatable to the audience.

She said, “It was important for Nadine and I to come together to tell a story that wasn’t a gimmick, but very relatable and real for the audience. We wanted viewers to be like, I know someone like this or I can recognise this situation.

“We tried our best to navigate even the difficult issues with as much respect as we could because we touched on issues like inter-tribal and inter-religious relationships, drug use in the north, the question of choosing a career versus a family or doing both.”

“So while the story is centred in the North and on Northern women, we portrayed these issues in such a way that even a South African woman, Middle Eastern woman or even a European woman will be able to connect with the show.”

In the beginning of Season 2 Beyond The Veil, Na’ima starts her healing journey after a car crash with support from friends Baddriyah and Hanifa, while facing societal and familial challenges due to her relationship with Matthew.

Baddriyah, an influencer known as “Baddie,” grapples with an abusive marriage and finds unexpected support from Bilqis, her husband’s first wife. Hanifa, pregnant and financially strained due to her husband’s failed business, pushes herself despite medical warnings, with her sister Afrah’s support.

After Bappa’s death, Zizi resigns as the minister’s aide and seeks a promotion, complicated by her chemistry with new police officer Tarik and pressure from Kassim’s fiancée’s family.

The show portrays how these women face ongoing challenges and make tough choices, offering a touching narrative of womanhood.