Seasoned actor and thespian, Patrick Diabuah, has said that religious leaders should not be held to saintly standards, insisting that pastors, priests and alfas are first and foremost human beings. Diabuah, who plays Pastor Matthew in Africa Magic’s new psychological thriller series, The Ten, made the remark while speaking on his character, a guilt-ridden spiritual leader grappling with loss, pride and the burden of moral authority.
According to the actor, one of the reasons he was drawn to the script was its honest portrayal of people of faith. “People are people regardless of whoever they are: a reverend father, priest, alfa, they are first human beings,” he said.
“A Christian is a failed human being who is working on getting back into grace, and it might take him or her years, even maybe a lifetime.” Drawing from his own experience, Diabuah recalled a Sunday morning drive to church when another motorist’s reckless driving got the better of him. “I put my head out like, ‘You are mad oh!’ My brother told me, ‘You are going to church.’ I said, ‘I know I’m going to church, wait, let me finish this.'”
The Banana Island Ghost star, who has over two decades of stage credits including Fela and the Kalakuta Queens, Saro: The Musical and The Trials of Brother Jero, also revealed that Pastor Matthew is the most emotionally demanding role of his career. “For many years, I found myself running away from scenes where the actor had to cry,” he confessed. “When it comes to emotional range, The Ten is probably the biggest challenge I’ve ever had.”
Summing up the message of his character, Diabuah quoted one of Pastor Matthew’s lines: “Just because I’m a pastor, am I not allowed to just be a human being?” He added that leaders, too, sometimes need their followers to rally around them, and that what matters most is the willingness to acknowledge wrongdoing and make a U-turn.
Created by Lota Chukwu, The Ten follows ten survivors of a past kidnapping who reunite for a vigil led by Pastor Matthew. Things take an eerie turn when one of them is murdered, and with a local festival sealing everyone inside the church, the group finds itself trapped once more, this time with a killer hiding in their midst.
The Ten airs every Thursday and Friday at 8:30pm on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv channel 151 and GOtv channel 8). Viewers can also catch up on episodes anytime on DStv Stream