Seven Doors series is a Nigerian drama television limited series created by Femi Adebayo for the streaming platform Circuits . Set in Ilara, Ondo State, the series explores 18th- and 19th-century Nigeria and serves as the directorial debut of actor and producer Femi Adebayo.It is produced by Euphoria 360 in collaboration with Circuits and is co-directed by Femi Adebayo, Tope Adebayo, and Adebayo Tijani.
The series follows the story of Adedunjoye (portrayed by Femi Adebayo) in Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, before and after his ascension to the throne as King Adedunjoye. The story delves into his lineage, his challenging reign as king, and his complex marital life with Amaka (portrayed by Chioma Chukwuka) and six additional wives.
The cast features Femi Adebayo, Chioma Akpotha, Oga Bello, Jide Kosoko, Gabriel Afolayan, Hafiz Oyetoro, Ronke Odusanya, Muyiwa Ademola and other cast members. Femi Adebayo has referred to the series as a celebration of Nigeria’s history and culture.
Seven Doors premiered on December 11, 2024, at Filmhouse Cinema IMAX in Lekki, Lagos. The event featured Nollywood actors dressed in traditional attire reflecting the series’ historical setting. The series was released theatrically on December 13, 2024, alongside all six episodes on Circuits . According to Circuits , the series became the most-watched original production in Nigeria upon its release. Critics generally praised the show, particularly highlighting its visual aesthetics and production design.
Seven Doors Synopsis
Seven Doors series tells the story of Adedunjoye, a simple man who loves his wife and children. He was asked to become the King of Ilara Kingdom as the Kingship has gotten to his family lineage. Uninterested in the offer, he vehemently refused. After several persuasions, he obliged and became the King. His ascension to the Kingship was followed by a lot of opposition who sought to make his tenure miserable. Soon after he becomes King, Ilara kingdom begins to experience turmoil and trouble, and after intervention from the chief priest, he was told to open seven doors, representing seven wives to appease for the wrongs of his forefathers. The King refuses and Ilara kingdom and the King’s house continue to be plagued with lot of misfortune including the death of the King’s daughter.
Seven Doors Release Date
The Series was released to Circuits on 13 December 2024, a day after its premiere, the premiere celebrates culture as the film implies. Circuits top leaders also expressed excitement at the project and how much it portrays the Nigerian culture, Circuits further reiterated her commitment to showcasing African stories and culture at large.
Seven Doors Cast Details
- Femi Adebayo as King Adedunjoye
- Chioma Chukwuka as Amaka
- Kolawole Ajeyemi as King Adejuwon
- Adebayo Salami as Otun
- Jide Kosoko as Olukosin
- Hafiz Oyetoro as Agbaakin
- Muyiwa Ademola as Prince Adeoye
- Dele Odule as Agunbiade
- Gabriel Afolayan as Opayemi
- Akeem Adebayo as Subuola
- Aliu Gafar as Esusu
- Olamide Bakare as Fola
- Taiwo Hassan as Oni Rara Akoko
- Adeniyi Johnson as Opabola
- Wumi Toriola as Adejundoye’s Wife
- Ganiu Nofiu as Olojongbodu
- Royal Aziomaku as Tade
- Kunle Omisore as Amaka’s Uncle
- Bidemi Kosoko as Wale’s Sister
Seven Doors Crew Details
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Directed by:
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Femi Adebayo
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Tope Adebayo
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Adebayo Tijani
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Starring:
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Femi Adebayo
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Chioma Chukwuka
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Kolawole Ajeyemi
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Oga Bello
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Jide Kosoko
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Music by: Tolu Obanro
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Producer: Femi Adebay
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Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Release Date | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Door Threshold | Femi Adebayo, Adebayo Tijani, Tope Adebayo | Adebayo Tijani, Yinka Laoye, Oluyombo Soyombo | 13 Dec 2024 | Adedunjoye is chosen as King but resists; his wife Amaka supports him. Corrupt chiefs back Prince Adeoye. |
| 2 | Door Jamb | Same as above | Same as above | 13 Dec 2024 | Adedunjoye becomes King, enforces order, punishes corrupt chiefs. |
| 3 | Door Frame | Same as above | Same as above | 13 Dec 2024 | Misfortunes begin; priest reveals ancestor’s evil deeds and Esuru’s involvement. |
| 4 | Door Lock | Same as above | Same as above | 13 Dec 2024 | King advised to marry 6 more wives; Amaka opposes, regrets kingship. |
| 5 | Door Swivel | Same as above | Same as above | 13 Dec 2024 | King marries 6 wives; they mistreat Amaka and are banished. |
| 6 | Door Peephole | Same as above | Same as above | 13 Dec 2024 | Gods target Tade; King brings back wives, but must now face god Esusu to break the curse. |
Femi Adebayo
Femi Adebayo Salami, born on December 31, 1976, is a Nigerian actor, film director, producer, and lawyer. He also works as the special adviser on Arts, Culture, and Tourism to the Governor of Kwara State.
In the 2024 series Seven Doors, Femi Adebayo plays King Adedunjoye, a reluctant monarch caught between personal peace and ancestral duty. His character begins as a content middle-class civil servant living with his wife and children in Lagos, far removed from the chaos of his hometown, Ilara. When fate chooses him as the next king, Adedunjoye resists the call, aware of the cultural and spiritual burden that comes with Yoruba kingship.
Femi Adebayo brings a grounded, introspective energy to the role. His portrayal captures a man torn between family and tradition, grappling with grief, moral dilemmas, and the heavy legacy of his lineage. While the script doesn’t always give his character strong agency, Adebayo’s performance adds emotional weight and dignity to the role. His chemistry with Chioma Akpotha (Amaka) is especially compelling, showcasing a loving yet strained partnership under cultural pressure.
Though King Adedunjoye isn’t the most dynamic or forceful ruler, Adebayo makes him relatable—as a man navigating destiny, sacrifice, and spiritual reckoning in a world governed by tradition and myth.
Seven Doors Review
Seven Doors, Femi Adebayo’s directorial debut co-directed by Tope Adebayo and Adebayo Tijani, stirred social media reactions with its trailer, especially for its portrayal of Igbo culture amid ongoing ethnic tensions. The story opens with a chilling scene of seven women leaping off a waterfall setting a dark tone.
The protagonist, Adedunjoye Femi Adebayo, is a Yoruba civil servant with a peaceful Lagos life alongside his Igbo wife, Amaka Chioma Akpotha. His life is disrupted when he’s chosen as the next king of Ilara, a town plagued by corrupt chiefs. Reluctant at first, Adedunjoye accepts the throne with his wife’s encouragement.
Tragedy soon strikes, forcing the king to confront ancestral sins revealed by a priest played by Taiwo Hassan, including a dark past involving forced marriages and sacrifice. The seven doors are eventually revealed to symbolize marrying seven wives a traditional curse-breaking ritual.
While the series explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and cultural, it suffers from uneven writing, flat character arcs, and a lack of visual or narrative depth. Despite this, Chioma Akpotha delivers a standout performance, and the chemistry between her and Adebayo is a highlight. Kolawole Ajeyemi and Aliu Gafar also bring intensity to their roles.
Ultimately, Seven Doors offers moments of beauty and reflection but falls short of its full potential. It’s a familiar story with a slightly fresh angle flawed but occasionally rewarding for patient viewers.