The Chocolate Empire


The Chocolate Empire is a 2025 Kenyan crime drama set in Nairobi, featuring an ensemble cast that includes Jimmy Gathu, Sanaipei Tande, and Mumbi Maina. The series is produced by Insignia Productions, the creators of Single Kiasi and Netflix original Kash Money.

Plot

The Chocolate Empire follows the life of JB Mauzo, a once-powerful businessman freshly released from prison. As JB works to rebuild his life and mend his fractured family, he secretly operates a high-end escort service from his exclusive cigar club in Nairobi. His clandestine empire and personal life collide when he meets Lily, a young woman from a struggling family, who takes a job at JB's club to help her mother make ends meet, unaware of the illegal operations taking place.

Cast

  • Jimmy Gathu as JB Mauzo, a former criminal and businessman
  • Ann Muli as Lily, JB's love interest and Margaret's daughter
  • Mumbi Maina as Vera, JB's diamond and high-end escort.
  • Sanaipei Tande as Margaret, Lily's mother and a widow struggling to maintain her catering business. She is also a mother to Grace Nuru.
  • Jackie Kaboi as Marie, JB's unfaithful wife and mother to his two kids.
  • Kael Njihia as Kevin, JB's and Marie's rebellious son.
  • Escay Gitonga as Sheila, JB's and Marie's caring daughter.
  • Derek Bbanga as Mike, JB's longtime friend who gets romantically involved with Marie during JB's imprisonment.
  • Amalie Chopetta as Mona, JB's longtime business partner and a former escort.
  • Aleks Kamau as Clemo, an ex-con and JB's closest confidant.
  • Linda Tyagi as Grace Nuru, Margaret's rebellious daughter and Lily's sister.
  • Michael Saruni as Peter, Lily's religious boyfriend.
  • Angie Magio as Subira, wife to Mr. Wambua. She is a city council official.
  • Makena Kahuha as Ebony, an escort at JB's club.
  • Xtatic as Jade, an escort at JB's club.
  • Ivy Wanjiku as Caramel, an escort at JB's club.
  • Mwaniki Mageria as Pastor Maurice, a respected church leader in his community who also harbors feelings for Margaret.
  • Kennedy Musumba as Mr. Wambua, a wealthy elderly man and husband to Subira. He is having an affair with Grace Nuru.

Production

Development

Show producer Grace Kahaki said the show is a local adaptation of the South African television series Rockville with an authentic Nairobi vibe.

Casting

The cast was announced at the start of season 1 and included Jimmy Gathu, Sanaipei Tande, Mumbi Maina, among others.

Release

released the first episode of The Chocolate Empire on 20 March with subsequent episodes released every Thursday.

Critical reception

's Stanlaus Manthi gave the series a positive review describing it as "a dramatically raunchy look at the dark side of Nairobi" adding that "Chocolate Empire strikes a nice balance between glamour and realism. It's raunchy and provocative, but it doesn't forget its themes".

Awards and nominations