Every so often, a television series resonates with audiences, delivering universal truths through captivating narratives. One such series is Princess on a Hill, a Showmax Original that offers viewers a glimpse into the machination of elites driven by power and ambition. As the curtains close on its first season, reviews are varied, but the consensus is clear: the series is a breath of fresh air. Princess’s growing fanbase appreciates its rich storytelling, multifaceted characters, and layered themes. As such, the writers’ room must be acknowledged for its work, especially the lady at its helm, Bibi Green-Ukpo.
With a career spanning over a decade, Bibi has lent her distinctive voice to some of Nigeria’s most acclaimed shows, including Tinsel, Hotel Majestic, Jemeji, and Ajoche. Now, with Princess on a Hill, she embraces the next step in her writer’s journey. As the head writer, she can be duly recognized as the driving force behind a series that stands as both a cultural exposition and a dramatic triumph.
As Princess on a Hill continues to make an impact, we had the opportunity to ask Bibi about the show’s success, her creative journey, and what it means to lead a project that exemplifies the relevance of African voices in film.
Origin Story: From Bookworm to Head Writer
Bibi’s journey into writing began in her childhood, where the thrill of escaping into the pages of a book sparked her passion. “Being a bookworm inspired me to be a writer,” she shared. Reflecting on her personality, she added, “I’m an introvert, and growing up, even though I enjoyed spending time playing with my siblings and friends, I found the most joy in hiding away in corners, lost in my books.” Her deep love for storytelling drove her desire to create narratives that could bring that same joy to others.
Breaking into the film industry, however, is no easy feat. As Bibi described, “It was a long and convoluted journey.” Talent, she explained, can only take you so far. “The short version is that the longer you work in an industry, the more connections you make, and the more new opportunities open up to you.” Nigeria’s film industry, in particular, presents unique challenges, with countless talented individuals striving to make their mark. Bibi emphasized how crucial networking was to her success, noting that her relationships with producers from past projects ultimately opened doors for her.
Recognizing her potential, some of those producers invited her to lead Princess’s writing room. Though the opportunity felt daunting, she embraced it. “I was nervous, but they had a lot of faith in me. I’m grateful for that.” This pivotal moment launched a new chapter in her career, allowing her to bring her unique perspective and storytelling skills to a wider audience.
Weaving Culture into Every Line
Acknowledging the opportunity and the leverage the new platform provides, Bibi emphasizes the importance of weaving Nigerian culture into the fabric of her narratives. “When I create a story, I draw from my experiences and from the world around me to color it in,” she explained, adding, “that’s how the Nigerian culture is organically incorporated.” For her, storytelling becomes a way to reflect her heritage while connecting with universal human experiences.
In this context, she sees the digital age as a blessing, highlighting how technology has amplified global interest in diverse cultures. “There’s a lot more interest in the ancient and contemporary cultures of places other than the West, and that includes Nigeria,” she noted. This accessibility not only inspires her storytelling but also reinforces her core principle: “As humans, we all have essential experiences in common, and our different cultures are just the variety of ways we handle those experiences.”
The Art of Suspense
When asked about her experience writing suspenseful dramas like Princess, Bibi described it as an exciting and rewarding challenge.”When you commit to creating a drama, especially a suspenseful one, it’s like making a promise to the audience,” she explained. “The challenge is making sure you deliver on that promise.” To meet this challenge, she focuses on three key elements: building plot-driven tension that keeps viewers hooked, guiding them on an engaging scavenger hunt with carefully placed questions and objectives, and wrapping it all up with satisfying resolutions. When she successfully delivers on all three, she knows she has done her job.
Her writing process, however, is far from a solo endeavor. “It starts in the writers’ room, which is like a workshop,” she said. “We take the concept and turn it into a broad season outline—a kind of shopping list of everything we want to happen.” From there, the team breaks the outline into beats—key moments that propel the story forward—and distributes them across episodes.
Collaboration is at the heart of the process. “At each stage, we gather notes and feedback, making adjustments as we go,” she shared. Once the team refines the beats, each writer transforms episode outlines into shooting scripts. As head writer, she plays a critical role in ensuring consistency. “I make sure the final scripts feel cohesive, like they were written by one person.” By doing so, she preserves the show’s voice and vision, ensuring it resonates with the audience from start to finish.
Characters That Resonate
A show may be beautifully shot, yet falls short on substance. Without question, depth and engagement are largely driven by the characters. With Princess, Bibi showcases her talent for crafting compelling, character-driven narratives. “I think our plot and setting are relatable but pretty uncommon in the Nigerian dramascape,” she explained. “It’s like Cinderella making a deal with the Devil, set against a corporate Game of Thrones backdrop.” This fresh take combines timeless themes with high-stakes drama, offering viewers a story that feels both familiar and unique. To connect with the piece.
As such, she credits much of the show’s success to the collaboration behind the scenes. “The cast’s strong performances and the dedication of the production crew have truly brought my vision to life,” she shared. The characters are more than just fictional creations. “Almost every single character on this show has a place in my heart. They each have a rich backstory and extended storyline I’d love to explore more if I ever got the chance.” Through its rich storytelling and powerful performances, Princess reflects Bibi’s dedication to delivering narratives that resonate deeply with audiences.
Engaging with the Audience
Audience feedback is incredibly important. “I’m a little obsessed with audience feedback,” she admitted. “I know that it’s commonly held that a piece of art is complete when its creator is done with it. For my work, however, I’ve always felt that it’s not complete until someone has experienced it and it has become its own thing in their mind.” This perspective extends beyond the audience; she believes engagement is vital even within the writers’ room. Viewing writers as audience members themselves, she encourages critiques of each other’s visions to refine ideas and enhance storytelling.
Her dedication to audience engagement shapes her creative process. In her previous projects, such as Tinsel, Hotel Majestic, and Jemeji—shows written while episodes aired—she sought viewer feedback to adjust plots and dynamics based on what resonated most. She built up the dynamics viewers cared about, refined plotlines, and even addressed plot holes, some of which were unknowingly pointed out by the audience.
This practice continues with her online novel, Sango Is My Roommate. By sharing chapters on social media and engaging directly with readers, Bibi incorporates their input into the story’s development. For her, the interplay between creator and audience enriches her work, transforming it into something more meaningful and resonant.
Challenging Misconceptions
Despite the richness of Nigerian storytelling, Bibi acknowledges existing misconceptions. “One of the biggest misconceptions about Nigerian TV writing is that it’s formulaic or lacks the depth and creativity of global counterparts,” she explained, noting that people often underestimate the complexity of their stories and assume they are limited to certain tropes or genres. With her series, she aims to shatter that stereotype, showcasing that Nigerian narratives can be “both universally appealing and authentically local,” crossing borders while staying true to their roots. Through her work, she strives to elevate Nigerian storytelling and highlight its unique contributions to the global narrative landscape.
Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Writers
For those dreaming of making their mark in the industry, Bibi offers heartfelt advice: “You are what you eat. To become a writer, I consumed the works of good writers. You have to read and watch their work continuously just to get the basics. Read, dream, write. Relentlessly. Your work will have no choice but to develop to a point where it will start to open doors for you.”
As the conversation came to a close, she expressed her deepest desire to write Nigerian fantasy: “I grew up in an era when Sunday evenings were spent glued to the family TV, captivated by every word from the Aunty on Tales by Moonlight. I’ve always dreamed of seeing our folklore receive the same depth of treatment, exploration, and celebration that the traditions and myths of other cultures enjoy.”
In her hands, the future of Nigerian drama is not just bright—it’s bursting with potential, ready to engage and inspire audiences around the globe. We can’t wait to see where her storytelling journey takes her next!
We at Mobanle would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Bibi Green-Ukpo for taking the time out of her busy schedule to collaborate with us on this interview.
