'Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker': Release date, plot, cast, trailer and all you need to know about Netflix's mini-series
The upcoming four-part mini-series titled 'Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker' is coming to Netflix this March and will chronicle the life of a mogul in the haircare industry who made history as the first self-made American female millionaire.
Release date
'Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker' will premiere on March 20.
Plot
The contributions of late Madam CJ Walker to the hair industry brought pride to both Black and American history. Louisiana born Walker began to use cosmetics and home remedies to help relieve her suffering from hair loss. In 1905, when she was 38 years old, she began to sell the formula that worked, advertising it to African Americans. Her product named 'Madam Walker's Wonderful Hair Grower' was promoted by her as she traveled across the country. She also gave lectures on hairstyling. She grew her business from the ground up and became one of America's first-ever self-made female millionaires.
The Netflix series was inspired by 'On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam CJ Walker', the book written by A'Lelia Bundles, Walker's great-great-granddaughter. Her contribution to the hair industry is considered a vital part of history.
Netflix's official synopsis reads: "Academy Award winner Octavia Spencer stars as Madam 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-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles, the Netflix four-part limited series brings 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."
Cast
Octavia Spencer
Octavia Lenora Spencer is an American actress, author and producer. She has an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award under her belt.
She is also one of two African American actresses to have received three Academy Award nominations and the first African American actress to receive two consecutive nominations. She made her debut with 'A Time to Kil' in 1996 and rose to fame in 2011 with her role in 'The Help'. She is to play the titular role of Madam CJ Walker in the Netflix series 'Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker' and also has credits as executive producer.
Blair Underwood
Blair Erwin Underwood is an American television, film and stage actor and director. He is best known for his role on 'LA Law' as attorney Jonathan Rollins. His other roles include 'The New Adventures of Old Christine', 'Dirty Sexy Money', 'In Treatment', 'The Event', 'Quantico', 'When They See Us' and 'Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D'.
In the Netflix series, he is to play the role of Madam CJ Walker's husband CJ Walker.
Other cast members include Tiffany Haddish as Walker's daughter Lelia, Carmen Ejogo as Walker's business rival Addie Munroe, Garrett Morris as Walker's father-in-law, Kevin Carroll as her lawyer Freeman Ransom and Bill Bellamy as Ransom's cousin Sweetness.
Creators
The directors include Kasi Lemmons and DeMane Davis. Nicole Jefferson Asher and A'Lelia Bundles serve as writers. The series is executive-produced by Spencer. Other executive producers include Maverick Carter, Christine Holder, Mark Holder, LeBron James, Elle Johnson, Kasi Lemmons and Janine Sherman Barrois.
Trailer
Watch the trailer here.
Where to watch
Catch 'Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam CJ Walker' on Netflix on March 20.
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