Somkele Idhalama has been included in some of the most notable film productions to come out of Hollywood and Nollywood. In 2016, she became a name to reckon with after three films she starred in went to premiere at the Toronto International Film festival (TIFF). In the same year, she was also selected as the first female international TIFF Rising Star. Her first appearance for TV was a lead character in the AMVCA nominated and critically acclaimed series, ‘GIDI UP’ by NdaniTv. Shortly after that, she has graced the small screen in Paramount’s ‘STAR TREK: DISCOVERY’, Netflix’s ‘DC TITANS’, HBO’s ’STATION 11’, Amazon Prime’s ‘THE EXPANSE’, CBC’s ‘CORONER’ and ‘MURDOCH MYSTERIES’. Her career in film has led her to share the big screen with Hollywood veteran, Danny Glover in the biopic, 93 DAYS where she plays one of the surviving doctors who caught Ebola in Nigeria directed by Steve Gukas that went on to win several awards and accolades around the globe. That role won her an ELOY award (best actress of the year), AMVCA nomination for best supporting actress, an AMVCA trailblazer award win, TFAA award, an AMAA nomination and an AFRIFF Jury Award. Her latest movie ‘ORAH’ (2023) directed by Lonzo Nzekwe has gotten global recognition across international film festivals and nominations across board.
           Somkele holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from McMaster University, Canada. Her interest in the arts was ignited after playing the lead role in an adaptation of The Prodigal Son: The Clown while attending Grange School in Lagos Nigeria. Never looking back, all extra-curricular activities were in drama, dance and sports up to her time in university. She volunteered in several shows for charity at McMaster University during the semester and modeled for pay during the holidays back home in Nigeria some of which included work for DSTV Multichoice.
           When she is not in front of the camera, she is behind the scenes as a director of the fashion brand, Andrea Iyamah, which was founded by the head designer, Dumebi Iyamah. She heads both the media and merchandise production division of the brand as the Chief Production Officer. Being an active mother, wife, daughter and sister, of all her involvements, family is most important to her. Apart from looking forward to working with the great talents in her industry all over the world, Somkele is really a girl living life the best way she feels how.