5 Nollywood Actress that can Replace Taraji P Henson’s Role in Tyler Perry’s Straw

Tyler Perry’s Straw isn’t just another thriller, it’s a raw, emotional storm that lives and breathes through Taraji P. Henson’s heart-wrenching performance.

Playing a desperate mother on the edge, she gave us pain, grit, and grace all at once. But what if Nollywood had to tell this story? Who could possibly deliver that same fire?

Here are some powerhouse Nigerian actresses who could own that role.

Kehinde Bankole – Quietly Intense, Always Convincing

Kehinde has a gift for saying everything with her eyes. Much like Taraji’s restrained yet explosive energy in Straw, Kehinde knows how to carry pain in silence. Think of her in ‘Sistas’ you could feel the emotional weight crushing her character. She would absolutely master he fragile-but-fierce edge needed to play Janiyah.

Rita Dominic 

There’s a certain kind of elegance Rita brings to her roles, even in chaos. But don’t let the grace fool you, she can unravel when needed. In La Femme Anjola, we saw her tackle vulnerability and fear while still maintaining her character’s inner strength. That’s exactly what Straw demands: a woman collapsing and standing tall at the same time.

Nse Ikpe-Etim

No one channels emotional devastation quite like Nse. From Reloaded to Mr. & Mrs., she knows how to bleed on screen, figuratively and sometimes literally. She’d easily embody the desperation, the breakdowns, and the hallucinations that made Straw so gripping. She doesn’t act pain—she becomes it.

Bimbo Akintola 

Bimbo doesn’t just perform, she erupts. She’s bold, unpredictable, and incredibly layered, everything Janiyah needed to be. In films like 93 Days, her portrayal of sacrifice and urgency was nothing short of electrifying. Give her a spiraling, high-stakes character like in Straw, and she’ll turn it into a masterclass.

Stella Damasus 

Stella has long been one of Nollywood’s most expressive performers. Her eyes, her voice, her physical presence, everything about her pulls you in emotionally. A role like Janiyah, trapped between love for her child and the weight of the world, is right in Stella’s emotional wheelhouse. She would deliver it with sincerity and fire.

Funke Akindele 

You may know her more for her comedic genius, but Funke’s recent dramas prove she has serious range. In A Tribe Called Judah, her performance had weight, urgency, and vulnerability. Much like Straw, it dealt with a mother under immense pressure. Funke would bring both the heart and the chaos to a role like this.

Genevieve Nnaji 

Genevieve’s calm is what makes her dangerous on screen. She doesn’t overact, she draws you in. In Lionheart, we saw her play composed and conflicted. But in Mirror Boy, she gave us a glimpse of quiet anguish. She could take on Janiyah’s spiraling world with subtle strength and emotional precision.