Let me start by saying that I am absolutely the wrong person to be writing about Netflix’s new limited series,Self Made. The story tells the real-life tale of an African-American woman who defied all manner of conventions to become a self-made millionaire through the sale of haircare products for Black women. The closest I’ve come to understandinganyof that very personal and culturally important space is from watching the Oscar-winning shortHairLove, so I leave it to the new trailer forSelf-Madeto tell the tale way better than I ever could.
Academy Award-winnerOctavia Spencerstars asMadam C.J. Walker, the trailblazing African-American haircare entrepreneur who was America’s first female self-made millionaire. Inspired by the book, “On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C. J. Walker”, written by Walker’s great-great-granddaughterA’Lelia Bundles, the Netflix four-part limited series,Self-Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walkerbrings the uplifting story of this cultural icon to the screen for the first time. Against all odds, Walker overcame post-slavery racial and gender biases, personal betrayals, and business rivalries to build a ground-breaking brand that revolutionized Black haircare, as she simultaneously fought for social change.
The four-part limited series also starsBlair Underwoodas her husband C.J. Walker,Tiffany Haddishas her daughter Lelia,Carmen Ejogoas Walker’s business rival Addie Munroe,Garrett Morrisas Walker’s father-in-law,Kevin Carrollas her longtime lawyer Freeman Ransom andBill Bellamyas Ransom’s cousin Sweetness. Look for it on Netflix on March 20th–add it to your watchlist now–and take a look at the trailer below!
Self-Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walkerproduced by SpringHill Entertainment and Wonder Street in association with Warner Bros. Television is helmed by co-showrunnersElle Johnson&Janine Sherman Barrois, along with writer and co-executive producerNicole Jefferson Asher, directed byKasi LemmonsandDeMane Davis, and executive produced by Sherman Barrois, Johnson,Maverick Carter,LeBron James, Spencer,Mark Holder,Christine Holder, Lemmons, andJamal Henderson.
