Chisom Ume Discusses Her Role as Mandy in Dashing Films' "Chess" Ahead of May 2 Premiere

Dashing Films continues its cast feature rollout ahead of the release of its upcoming web series Chess, set to premiere on Saturday, May 2nd, 2026, via the official Dashing Films YouTube channel, alongside simultaneous watch parties in Lagos, Anambra, and Imo State.

As part of the ongoing cast spotlight, actress Chisom Ume shares insights into her character Mandy, the emotional depth of the role, and her experience on set.

Chisom plays Mandy, a highly emotional and complex character whose storyline is driven by love, betrayal, and emotional collapse. According to her, Mandy is a woman who loved deeply but was also deeply betrayed by both her romantic partner and her sister. This emotional rupture pushes her into making bold and risky decisions that significantly shape her journey within the series.

She explains that what first attracted her to Chess was the storyline itself. The narrative felt very real and intense, making it easy to connect emotionally with the script. She also noted that she was immediately drawn to the character of Mandy because of how layered and expressive the role is.

The Most Challenging Scene

One of the most challenging moments for her during production was filming the death scene of her character. Chisom revealed that she had never played a role where her character dies before, making the experience both new and emotionally demanding. She described the scene — where she had to lie still under a duvet while another character mourned over her body — as particularly difficult. In a lighter reflection, she mentioned the behind-the-scenes moment as humorous, recalling her internal reaction during filming.

The Message of Chess

When asked about the overall message of Chess, Chisom highlights themes of love, betrayal, and consequences. She explains that the series explores how people respond when they are hurt, and how those emotional reactions can either lead to healing or destruction depending on the choices they make.

Looking ahead to the release, she describes Mandy as unpredictable, bold, and spiteful. She hints that the character carries a strong emotional presence in the series, with a storyline that is intense and designed to keep audiences fully engaged from start to finish.