Actor Helen Keli is enjoying one of the busiest seasons of her career; juggling two major television roles alongside her work in theatre.
Her latest screen appearances as Delilah, the unapologetic older lover in Single Kiasi, and Bridget, a bitter, calculating wife in Lazizi have cemented her position as an in-demand performer.
“It’s wild,” she says. “Delilah is the most not-me character I’ve ever played. She’s bold, confident and completely in control. But stepping into her world was both terrifying and thrilling.”
Keli’s commanding presence has long been familiar to Kenyan audiences.
A product of the Nairobi theatre scene, she began her career under the late James Falkland and has appeared in stage classics such as Pirates of Penzance and The Merchant of Venice.
Earlier this year, she performed in Elements, a one-woman play written by John Sibi-Okumu and directed by Wakio Mzenge, which she describes as “the most challenging and rewarding experience” of her career.
“Theatre is raw and alive there’s no hiding, no second take,” she says. “Television demands a completely different kind of focus. You have to pull back, trust the stillness, and let the subtle moments do the work.”
Her ability to navigate both worlds has earned her respect across Kenya’s creative industry.
On Single Kiasi, she stars alongside Kevin Maina, whose on-screen chemistry with her has drawn praise from fans. “It comes from trust,” she explains. “When two actors really listen to each other, that’s when the magic happens.”
In Lazizi, she trades the seductive charm of Delilah for the cold bitterness of Bridget, acting opposite Mwaniki Mageria.
“Mwaniki brings a maturity and calm that really deepens our dynamic. Bridget is a chess player, strategic, elegant, and always one step ahead. I think viewers will admire her intelligence, even when they hate her choices.”
For Keli, acting remains as much about discipline as passion. She cites Viola Davis, Maggie Smith, Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren as her greatest influences.
“What I admire about them is the seriousness they bring to their craft. You can feel the years of work and respect behind every performance.”
It’s that same respect she urges young Kenyan actors to cultivate. “Talent alone isn’t enough, you have to work at it, study, take classes, and never stop learning. Nothing happens by magic.”
Even as she enjoys her current television success, she remains deeply rooted in theatre.
She speaks fondly of Elements, which she says pushed her “as a performer and as a woman”.
If given another chance, she adds, she would dig even deeper into the story’s emotional layers by engaging more with real women whose experiences mirror those of her character.
Off-screen, she finds balance in quieter moments. “I love the outdoors,” she says. “And I love cooking anything roasted is my weakness.”