The local Reality TV scene has been dominated by the talented producer Eugene Mbugua, who, through an inspiring career has brought some of the most entertaining Kenyan shows to our screens.
Eugene got into the scene at 22 years with his show Young Rich, becoming the youngest producer to have a program airing on national television.
Now, he has been described as being at the top of the game, with successful productions like The Real Housewives of Nairobi, NaiRich, Kyallo Kulture, Our Perfect Wedding and more making waves.
“For his work, Eugene has earned several accolades. In 2014, he was listed by Business Daily among Kenya’s male Top 40 under 40 entrepreneurs. In the same year, Eugene also won the Kalasha Award for best editor for his work on the film Child for Hire,” Kenya Film Commission (KFC) describes his accomplishments.
“In 2016 Forbes listed Eugene among the 30 most promising entrepreneurs under the age of 30 in Africa, and again in 2017, Forbes Africa listed Eugene among the Top 30 under 30 entrepreneurs in Africa.”
The producer opened up in a recent interview with Capital FM Lifestyle about his growth thus far, reflecting about how he found his calling and honed his craft.
Eugene first fell in love with storytelling after accompanying his cousin, a sound technician to the set of a local show.
“[I]was fascinated by what they were doing on set. It was an entire world I wanted to be a part of,” he said.
The report describes Eugene’s journey as a decade of success and innovation, noting that each new venture marks a highlight in his career.
“RHON is bigger than our previous productions because it’s an NBC Universal format. Executing an international format comes with its own set of challenges and successes, but seeing it become one of the top shows in Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria, and even exporting to the US and Australia, is incredibly rewarding.” This success is a testament to the growth and potential of the Kenyan TV industry.
Indeed, RHON was a major hit, breaking streaming records on its premiere date and continuing to rank on Showmax’s Top 10 most watched each episode.
“Showmax had a night to remember at the Kalasha Awards. The Real Housewives of Nairobi took home the award for Best TV Show, making it the biggest Showmax Original in Kenya!” The streaming service reported in a statement.
Eugene also talked about the casting process for RHON, noting that “The ladies have to be wealthy or rich, lead a lifestyle that looks good on camera, have spicy personalities, be very expressive, people who are not shy or holding back and people who have thick skin.”
He added: “They also need to be fans of the show and interested in the format.”
The producer noted that the combination of traits ensures that the cast is not only engaging but also reflective of the glamorous, drama-filled world that Real Housewives fans have come to expect and love.
Eugene Mbugua founded D&R studios in 2013, the creative audiovisual company that has been behind his notable productions.
“I love telling people’s stories. I love it when someone watches our TV shows and feels encouraged, inspired, or even just entertained. To elicit a reaction from an audience is probably the biggest gift of what we do,” he said.
When probed about the advice he would give to upcoming producers, he added: “Think digital first and quickly. Think about short form content, self-publishing and your mind constantly has to be on the new models of communications. Early adopters of platforms like TikTok and YouTube are miles ahead.”
