Twenty-five-year-old actor transitions from children’s television to mature roles while pursuing dual career in music

Sammy Okore, known for playing young Tosh in the children’s series Machachari, has landed a role in Showmax’s new youth drama “Reckless.”

The 25 year old actor plays Mika, a party loving teenager whose reckless behavior leads to a tragic street racing accident that affects both him and his older brother, played by Brian Abajah.

Okore credits several mentors for shaping his acting career, including his father, currently head of production at Standard Group, and veteran actor Arabron Osanya, who guided him during his child acting days. “He took me under his wing and mentored me during those early days as a child actor, shaping my passion and approach to acting,” Okore said of Osanya.

The actor described filming the street racing sequences as career defining moments. The scenes were shot along the Southern Bypass at night, with Okore working alongside stunt drivers. “It felt like I was in the final moments of a football match, just about to score the winning goal,” he said.

Beyond acting, Okore is pursuing music, writing and producing trap tracks. Some of his songs feature in background scenes of the show, particularly during car sequences.

The physical demands of playing Mika presented challenges for the naturally laid back actor. “He’s all about high energy stuff – fighting, driving, pure adrenaline. And I am a bit on the laid-back side, so it was a real challenge,” Okore explained.

Director Gilbert Lukalia played a crucial role in helping Okore develop the character. “He didn’t just direct; he guided me to feel the emotions. Sometimes, as an actor, you struggle to connect with certain feelings, but Gilbert had this way of bringing it home.”

“Reckless” streams on Showmax every Monday and Tuesday.