Somkele Iyamah-Idhalama (born 23 March 1988) is a Nigerian TV and film actress and model. She is well known for her roles in 93 Days (2016), The Wedding Party, The Arbitration (2016) and the TV series Gidi Up (2013–2014) and at the Toronto International Film Festival and Africa International Film Festival. She is an ambassador for Multichoice's DSTV Explora, the widest satellite cable network across Africa. She has in the movie, A Soldier's Story 2: Return from the Dead - sequel to a 2016 multiple award-winning romantdramasama. She is cast in the role of the Progenitor in the final episodes of Star Trek Discovery (2024).
Iyamah was born in Ika South Area of Delta State to Andrew and Onyi Iyamah, both are of Ika (Agbor) origin. She is the third of four children. She was introduced to dance and drama by an inspirational teacher, Mrs. Abe while attending Grange School in Lagos.
Somkele holds a bachelor's degree in biochemistry from McMaster University. Somkele volunteered in several shows for charity at McMaster and modeled during the holidays in Nigeria. Her website states her work includes Virgin Nigeria, Harp, ETB and Visafone Communications.
Career
Her first audition landed her a lead role. Her works for TV are in the AMVCA nominated and critically acclaimed series, ‘GIDI UP’ by NdaniTV, Amazon's ‘THE EXPAN,SE’ and CBC's ‘CORONER’. Her career in film has led her to share the screen with Nollywood's directors such as Steve Gukas and Kemi Adetiba. She also shared screen-time with Hollywood veteran, Danny Glover in the biopic, 93 DAYS where she plays one of the surviving doctors who caught Ebola in Nigeria directed by Steve Gukas which went on to win several awards and accolades. That role won her an ELOY award (best actress of the year), AMVCA nomination best-supportingting actress, an AMVCA trailblazer award win, TFAA award, an AMAA nominat,ion and an AFRIFF Jury Award. She starred alongside Hollywood veteran, Eric Roberts in the movie: A Soldier's Story 2: Return From The Dead which was released in Dec 2020.
Her corporate endorsements include Multichoice Nigeria (DSTV Ambassador), Jewel By Lisa, and The Access Bank Lagos City Marathon. She has been on the cover of GENEVIEVE Magazine and interviewed by her Alma Mater, McMaster University for their Canada @ 150 special Edition as well as CNN online. She serves as the Regional Head of the fashion brand, Andrea Iyamah.
Personal life Somkele manages the fashion brand, Andrea Iyamah, founded by her younger sister, Dumebi Iyamah. She is married to Captain Aaron Idhalama, a thought leader and industry professional in the Nigerian aviation sector. She has a son that had cancer and later became cancer free.
Awards and nominations +YearAwardCategoryWorkResult2016Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF)International Rising Star HerselfAfrica International Film Festival (AFRIFF)Special Jury Recognition Award93 DaysThe Exquisite Lady Of The Year (ELOY) AwardsActress Of The Year The Future Awards AfricaPrize For Actor Africa Movie Academy Award (AMAA)Best Supporting ActressNominated20172017 Africa Magic Viewers Choice AwardsBest Supporting ActressTrailblazer AwardHerself
Filmography Film YearTitleRoleNotes2013DreamwalkerIsabellaFantasy / Romance2015The DepartmentIretiWith Jide Kosoko, Osas Ighodaro Ajibade, O.C. ukeje, Director: Remi Vaughn Richards2016The ArbitrationOmawumi HorsefallWith O.C. Ukeje, Iretiola Doyle, Adesua Etomi Director: Niyi AkinmolayanOjukokoroSadeThe Wedding PartyYemisi DisuWith Adesua Etomi, Richard Mofe Damijo, Iretiola Doyle, Banky W Director: Kemi Adetiba93 DaysDr. Ada IgonohWith Danny Glover, Gideon Okeke, Bimbo Akintola, Director: Steve Gukas2017The Wedding Party 2Yemisi DisuWith Adesua Etomi, Richard Mofe Damijo, Iretiola Doyle, Banky W Director: Niyi AkinmolayanThe Guest2018Lara and the BeatDara GiwaWith Seyi Shay, Vector The Viper, Chioma Akpotha Director: Tosin Coker2019She Is2020A Soldier's Story: Return from the DeadZayaWith Eric Roberts, Linda Ejiofor, Daniel K. Daniel Director: Frankie Ogar2023OrahLaceCrime / Drama / Thriller
Television YearTitle RoleNotes2024Star Trek: DiscoveryProgenitorStar Trek: Discovery; season 5 episode 10: Life, Itself2020The ExpanseEngineerNetwork: Amazon Prime2018CoronerMrs. KamauNetwork: CBC 2015Best FriendsUcheNetwork: EbonyLife TV2014Gidi Up Season 2YvonneNetwork: Ndani TV2013Gidi Up Season 1YvonneNetwork: Ndani TVGidi Up (Pilot) YvonneNetwork: Ndani TV
See also List of Nigerian actors
References