King Kingsley Yamoah shot The Billionaire's Wife amid his sorrow over the loss of his sister.
A Fresh Take on The Billionaire's Wife
In the thick of a fresh start, Kingsley Yamoah, the talented Ghanaian actor, received an unfortunate piece of news minutes before his audition for the lead role in the latest Showmax Original series, The Billionaire's Wife. His younger sister had met an untimely end in a devastating accident. "I was a wreck, shattered to the core," he confessed.
Cast as the unyielding billionaire, Bill Gyimah, he described as a "hard-as-nails, tough-as-nails, and cold-as-ice tycoon," Kingsley found himself attracted to the role like a moth to a flame. "Bill isn't your regular pulling heartstrings character. He's built on steel and love is a foreign language to him," Kingsley shared.
Streaming exclusively on Showmax, with new episodes hitting every Thursday, The Billionaire's Wife paints a gritty and authentic portrait of life, love, and survival in the glamorous and cutthroat world of the rich and powerful. The show focuses on Adepa, an 19-year-old girl from the tough streets of Ashaiman, who, desperate to turn her life around, enters into a volatile marriage with an old, billionaire who hides a web of secrets.
In an exclusive interview, Kingsley sheds some light on his character, Bill's intricate personality, and the process of transforming into a ruthless billionaire.
Q: How did this role come about?
A: The line producer, Dzifa Abla, reached out to me just a couple of days before New Year's Eve. I've been dying to work with Ad-Visors, so I showed up for the meeting. After a grueling seven-hour marathon of auditions and readthroughs, I signed my name on the dotted line. The year was off to a great start and filming was about to commence in just four days. But a heartbreaking phone call from my younger brother shattered my world. My sister, the last of my siblings, had been in an accident and didn't make it. I was torn apart, but a heartfelt condolence message from production gave me the strength to carry on.
Q: What was it about this story, and your character Bill, that made you want to be part of this project?
A: When I first got the skinny on the character, I was instantly hooked. Bill is a cold-hearted beast who's been through the wringer to build his vast fortune. And I knew that I could bring that character to life in a way that would blow the audience away. He's a man with money, connections, influence, and the ability to make the world bend to his will. And the opportunity to play a character like that was too good to pass up.
Q: How does it feel to take on a character like this - a man who controls everything and makes the world bend to his will?
A: Playing Bill was a dream come true. The six weeks of filming were on cloud nine. The costumes, the homes, the cars - everything was stunning and I couldn't help but get caught up in the glitz and glamour of it all.
Q: Adepa is married to a 55-year-old billionaire. Did you ever struggle with understanding who Bill is?
A: When I met Andriana, who plays Adepa, I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy. She was so young and small compared to me, and I couldn't imagine what I might have to put her through during the shoot. During our first scene together, I sat her down to explain my intentions and let her know that I would stop at nothing to get the performance I wanted. I knew that playing Bill meant delving into some dark places, and I wasn't afraid to go there.
Q: Can you walk us through your preparation process and how you got into character for this role?
A: I locked myself away for the full six weeks of filming, shutting out the rest of the world and my grief. I spent countless hours working with my acting coach, Mawuli Akpabi, honing my performance, and focusing on the smallest details of the character. I studied the script endlessly, memorizing every line, dialogue, and facial expression, and I was determined to bring Bill to life in a way that was both believable and terrifying.
Q: What has been your highlight of working on this project?
A: I still can't believe the reaction I've been getting everywhere I go. The Billionaire's Wife has become the talk of the town, and I've been flooded with comments and questions about the show. It's amazing to see how passionate the audience has become about the show, and I feel incredibly grateful to be part of something that has resonated with people on such a deep level.
Q: Looking back at your acting career, what's your favorite role to date?
A: That's a tough one! I've had the privilege of playing some incredible characters over the years, and each role has had its own unique challenges and rewards. But playing Bill in The Billionaire's Wife has been a truly transformative experience, and I think it's fair to say that it's my favorite role so far.
Q: This is the third Showmax Original title in Ghana, how does it feel to be a part of this project?
A: Working on The Billionaire's Wife has opened up a world of possibilities for me as an actor, and I can't thank Ad-Visors enough for the opportunity. The chance to be a part of their third Showmax Original title in Ghana was exhilarating, and I'm still pinching myself to make sure it's all real. I've learned so much during the shoot and I'm already excited about what my future holds in the world of acting. Here's to more incredible projects and opportunities!
Sources:1. "Elopement" Retrieved on 2023-03-23.2. "Rabbit" Retrieved on 2023-03-23.3. "The Drought" Retrieved on 2023-03-23.
- In his exclusive interview, Kingsley revealed that he found the opportunity to portray Bill Gyimah in The Billionaire's Wife so appealing because it allowed him to delve into the intricate personality of a cold-hearted, powerful billionaire, a role he had been keen to tackle in his acting career.
- After signing on for the role, Kingsley shared that he was deeply absorbed in his character's world, particularly while filming, as the glamorous and extravagant lifestyle portrayed in the series reminded him of the entertaining world of movies-and-tv and movies, providing a refreshing departure from the gloom that followed his sister's untimely demise.
