The Heir

A young doctor inherits her father’s mind control powers, fuelling her search for his killers.

Team

Abiola Ogunbiyi

United KingdomWriter

synopsis

As a respected junior doctor at a London hospital, Naia Nadike has found the perfect home for her logic-first, feelings-later modus operandi. And after losing her mother at a young age, Naia’s bonds with her father Tobi, stepbrother Sam, and best friend Jody render all other relationships obsolete. But after her father’s sudden death, Naia begins experiencing physical symptoms, and situational outcomes, that allude to a supernatural ability: mind control. Though Naia brushes her symptoms off as a trauma response, news of Tobi’s death reaches a group of Nigerians with the same abilities, all of whom were brought to the U.K. as children and forced to use their abilities as ordered to guarantee their families’ safety in the wake of the Nigerian Civil War. Naia initially rebuffs the group’s claims, but after circumstances of her father’s death point to foul play, Naia elicits their help to uncover the truth behind her father’s murder and bring down those responsible.

Director’statement

I have always been drawn to stories centered on a character striving to make sense of their place in their world, even more so after an adverse life experience. The superhero genre frequently explores this encounter, and this series is my venture into this space, with a story that not only combines the cultures of my Nigerian heritage and British citizenship but explores an element of the relationship and history between them that has scarcely been depicted on screen. At its core, this is a series about exploitation. Exploitation of skills, resources, hope, love, trauma, age, goodwill... Whilst the series takes place in a high concept, superpowered arena, it reflects a dynamic witnessed throughout history between nations, generations, and in the everyday. Naia’s journey is not only to discover the truth, but to find a constructive, liberated way of using her father’s, and now her, powers. I want audiences to see a journey of empowerment through one’s legacy, rather than in spite of it.

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