The Shuga producers are looking to cast fresh new talent to fill a range of key male and female roles in the award winning drama series, alongside Nigerian actor and musician Ikubese Emmanuel and Kenyan actor, singer and radio presenter Nick Mutuma. As well as a number of principal roles, two minor parts will be chosen by public voting from a shortlist of six, with voting taking place online on www.shuga.tv .

“We are looking for real, raw talent that is going to help bring the Shuga drama series alive for Nigerian audiences,” said Georgia Arnold, Executive Director, MTV Staying Alive Foundation, “With principle photography for Shuga just a few weeks away, and the TV show premiering across Africa in December 2013 – this could be a huge career boost for aspiring Nigerian actors and actresses.”

The first two series of Shuga were filmed in Kenya between 2009 and 2011. Starring a young cast of upcoming Kenyan actors and actresses, Shuga told a bitter-sweet tale of love, loss, sex, heartbreak and relationships, set in the clubs, bars, campuses and hangouts of contemporary Nairobi.

This year’s campaign seeks to promote HIV reduction behaviors among this target population through encouraging HIV counselling and testing, to motivate a reduction in the number of sexual partners as well as promoting awareness about services for women who have experienced gender-based violence.

Auditions will be held on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th July between 8am and 6pm at Protea Hotel, Ikoyi, Westwood. Candidates must be a Nigerian within the ages of 18 and 55 with good spoken English and no criminal record. No previous acting experience is necessary.

Candidates are also to bring along a photo ID as well as a good quality self portrait (minimum size: 7 cm x 5 cm) and must be available for filming in Lagos between August 12th 2013 and September 22nd 2013.