Why "Grind" on Prime Video Is One of Nollywood’s Boldest Shows

Grind is a Nigerian drama series currently streaming on Prime Video. The first season premiered on January 20, 2023, with a second season that launched on March 7, 2025.

The show is rated 18+ due to its mature themes, including survival, nudity, sexual scenes, hustling, and the challenges of urban life. The series was directed by Orire Nwani and Joshua Tso-Tso, with Roberta Orioma as the creator and executive producer.

Grind explores the struggles of young women in Lagos, particularly those navigating difficult economic and social realities.

THE PREMISE

Born to a single mother in the slums of Lagos, Tarela takes up stripping to feed her family and cover the school fees of her 8 year old sister. We walk with them through their relationships, the weight of family expectations, the failure of old dreams and the forging of new ones as they go about their grind.

The show explores themes of friendship, betrayal, ambition, and resilience. Grind is an unfiltered look at the sacrifices many women make to survive, highlighting both the harsh realities and small victories of their daily lives.

The show comprises of two seasons, season 1 consists of 10 episodes while season 2 has only three of its episodes being streamed at the moment in Nigeria.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 1 – THE GRIND

This episode aired on January 20, 2023 and has a running time of 43 minutes. Tarela, a young lady who works at a local bar where she was constantly owed salary, struggles to make ends meet as the survival of her mother, Ebere and her younger sister, Kome, rests solely on her shoulders. After quitting her job and with constant persuasion from Edesiri, a very good friend of hers to work as a stripper, she begins to consider it.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 2

This episode aired on January 20, 2023 and has a running time of 28 minutes. As Tarela adjusts to life at the club, reports reach Somto, the club Manager that Tarela refuses to give clients lap dances. He fires her amid protests of having been upfront with Edesiri regarding her position on the matter. Tiwa, a waitress at the club who Tarela is friendly with pleads with Somto on Tarela’s behalf and helps her cut a deal with Somto that will keep her at the club.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 3 – TWO CAN PLAY

This episode also aired on January 20, 2023 and runs for 38 minutes. Tiwa is scared that her father will find out that she works in a strip club instead of just being in school. Edesiri comes back from her trip and Halima who despises Tarela fills her in on the things that has been happening at the club. Edesiri speaks to Somto about Tarela. She uses her sexual relationship with Somto to try to get him to do her bidding.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 4 – MONEY PROBLEM

Aired on January 20, 2023 and runs for 40 minutes. Kome gets into trouble with a neighbour and a very upset Tarela is forced to pay for the damages. Tiwa speaks to Mide, the DJ at the club, who she is friends with benefit with, about how scared she is to tell her dad that she isn’t interested in gospel music and the life he has planned out for her.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 5 – SNAKES

Aired on January 20, 2023 and runs for 30 minutes. Kelechi and Tarela fight over her new job, they leave things in a very bad place. Tarela gets home and her mum expresses how much she hates the work hours of her new job. Tarela assures her that it is just for a while until they are fine. Edesiri shows up at Tarela’s house on Kome’s birthday.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 6 – TRAPPED

This episode also aired on January 20, 2023 and runs for 29 minutes. As Pastor Remi and Pastor Ogunmola discuss wedding plans, Tiwa remains in a distraught state. Tarela surprises her mum with a fully stocked shop around their house, emphasizing that the money from sales is for their family and not meant for church donations.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 7 – GOLD DIGGERS

Aired on January 20,2023 and runs for 21 minutes. Wole and Tarela meet up for their night together. A frustrated Tiwa sits through an even more frustrating church marriage counselling session with Pastor Remi and with each question asked, she sees that they are in no way compatible. Tiwa finally tells Mide she is engaged.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 8 – DOWNHILL

Aired on January 20, 2023 and runs for 28 minutes. The case of theft is taken to Somto and Tarela totally denies it, saying Edesiri gave her the bracelets. Edesiri was called and she completely denies giving Tarela anything. Tarela is dumbfounded. Kobe threatens to involve the police and Wole tries to calm him down.

SEASON 1 EPISODE 9 – FRENIMIES

This episode aired on January 20, 2023, and runs for 38minutes.Tarela enters the house and meets her mum screaming in prayers and tells her she will have to leave the job. Tiwa finally tells her dad, that she doesn’t want to marry Pastor Remi and she wants a non gospel music career. Halima calls Wole’s friend from the house party and tells him she is pregnant.

SEASON EPISODE 10 – TWO FACED

This episode aired on January 20,2023, and runs for 33 minutes. As Tarela faces heat at home because of her job, Pastor Remi tries to get Tiwa to change her mind about the cancelled wedding, but she refuses.

Nuru( Edesiri’s boyfriend) shows up at the club before opening hours, and Tarela is excited to see him and strikes up a conversation. He asks for her help to plan his proposal to Edesiri. Somto travels, leaving Tarela in-charge, this infuriated Edesiri so much that she stole money from the club’s safety box, leaving Tarela to blame. Tarela discovers what Edesiri had done and gets into a fight with Edesiri.

SEASON 2

This season seamlessly picks up from where the last left off, diving deep into the fallout from Tarela and Edesiri’s fight, which had been brewing throughout Season 1. The show continues to explore themes of survival, betrayal, and ambition, revealing how these women navigate a world that constantly pushes them to the edge.

The first three episodes set the stage for the new season by reintroducing familiar conflicts while expanding on new ones. Tarela’s struggle to regain control of her life, Edesiri’s attempts to reclaim power, and Tiwa’s battle for independence created a layered narrative that promises more drama and tension.

Tarela’s mother continues to cement herself as one of the worst parents on the show. Her decision to withdraw from Tarela’s savings, despite knowing her daughter’s plans for a better future, is infuriating. Meanwhile, Tiwa’s father remains equally detestable, proving once again that religious self-righteousness can be just as cruel as outright neglect.

CAST AND PERFORMANCES

Roberta Orioma : As Tarela (the lead)

Orioma delivers a deep emotional performance. She captures the desperation and determination of a young woman struggling to escape poverty. Facing financial hardships, she transitions from working at a local bar to becoming a stripper, striving to achieve her dreams while confronting societal judgments.

Tamara Sindio-Apaun as Tiwalade

Tiwalade, or Tiwa, is a friend of Tarela who juggles her aspirations with the expectations of her family. She works at the same nightclub and struggles with the fear of her father discovering her true occupation, as he believes she is fully committed to her studies.

Roseanne Chikwendu as Edesiri

Edesiri is Tarela’s childhood friend who introduces her to the world of stripping. Her character adds depth to the narrative by highlighting the complexities of their friendship and the choices they make in pursuit of a better life.

Daniel Abua as Wole

Wole is another pivotal character whose relationship with Tarela adds layers to the storyline, exploring themes of love, trust, and ambition.

Harriet Akinola as Ebere

Ebere is Tarela’s mother, a devoutly religious woman unaware of her daughter’s involvement in stripping. Her character embodies the familial and societal pressures that influence Tarela’s decisions.

Uzor Arukwe: portrays the role of Somto, the club manager

His portrayal of the club’s manager adds an intense dynamic, showing both the exploitative and protective sides of his character.

Overall, the cast did an excellent job of making the world of Grind feel authentic and emotionally engaging.

WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE SERIES

Strong Storytelling – The narrative sheds light on a side of Lagos rarely explored in Nollywood. Grind aims to provide a realistic portrayal of life in a Lagos nightclub, showcasing both the struggles and triumphs of pursuing one’s passions.
Authentic Characters – The characters feel real, with well-developed backgrounds and believable motivations. The casting of Adaibe Obioma and Hilary Okotie-Eboh as young Edesiri and young Tarela, respectively, is well done, adding authenticity to their backstory.
Cinematography & Direction – The visuals are sharp, effectively capturing the nightlife and the characters’ struggles.
Social Commentary – The show doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, making it thought-provoking.
Strong Performances – The actors deliver compelling and nuanced performances, contributing to the show’s overall authenticity and relatability. Roberta Orioma’s Tarela remains a standout, delivering a powerful performance. Tamara Sindio-Apaun as Tiwa and Roseanne Chikwendu as Edesiri also bring depth to their roles, making their characters feel relatable.
Exploration of Complex Themes – The series looks into a range of topics, including familial relationships, friendship, personal growth, and the challenges faced by young people in Nigeria.

WHAT DIDN’T WORK

Pacing Issues – Some episodes feel slow, especially in the middle of Season 1.
Repetitive Themes – Certain conflicts are dragged out longer than necessary.
Chaotic Structure – While Grind maintains its signature gritty storytelling, the structure remains somewhat chaotic. The storylines feel disconnected at times, as multiple plot threads run parallel without clear cohesion. However, there’s a noticeable improvement in pacing and character development in Season 2, suggesting that these arcs may eventually converge meaningfully.
Use of Flashbacks – One of the strongest elements in Season 2 is the use of flashbacks to provide deeper insight into Tarela and Edesiri’s past, adding context to their complicated friendship. Hopefully, as the season progresses, the story will tighten its focus and deliver a more cohesive narrative.
Performances – Seun Akindele’s portrayal of Alex feels exaggerated and unnecessary, a weak attempt at an Americanized caricature that fails to impress.
Technical Aspects – The implied prison fight scene was underwhelming—poorly shot and lacking believability. On the other hand, the first meeting between Tarela and Edesiri post-fight was captured beautifully. Their silence spoke volumes, conveying tension and history without the need for excessive dialogue.
Unrealistic Desirability – The overemphasis on Tarela’s desirability, particularly her refusal to give lap dances, feels unrealistic to some viewers, undermining the realism of the show.
Unrealized Potential – Some conflicts and character arcs feel underdeveloped, with key moments sometimes referenced but not shown, leaving gaps in the narrative.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Grind is a bold and engaging series. While it has some pacing flaws, its strong performances, deep themes, and realistic storytelling make it a must-watch for fans of Nigerian drama.

One of the most striking elements of season 2 is how it expands on the backstories of Tarela and Edesiri, showing the origins of their friendship and the hardships that shaped them.

These first three episodes of Grind set the stage for what’s to come, clearing up some loose ends from Season 1 while laying the groundwork for new conflicts. Though the pacing still needs refinement, the show is promising. We’re cautiously optimistic about the Grind.