Deadline has reported that Netflix has offered an update on the upcoming Octavia Spencer led four part series, Self Made: Inspired By The Life Of Madam C.J Walker, the show’s official title. Fans can expect to have access to the much anticipated biopic by March 20 on the streaming service. The autobiographical book, On Her Own Ground: The Life and Times of Madam C.J. Walker, written by Walker’s great-great granddaughter A’Lellia Bundles, serves as an inspiration and blueprint for the upcoming series about Walker’s life. According to Deadline, Spencer will be embodying the role of Madam C.J. Walker, also known as Sarah Bleedlove.
Walker’s tale is a classic rags to riches story from the African American perspective at a time where the community was just getting accustomed to operating in America without the shackles of slavery binding them. Against all odds, Walker became the first African American female self made millionaire. She faced racism, marital issues, and fierce competition, conquering these hurdles to become the mogul of her black hair care product company, her Madam CJ Walker Manufacturing Company. Self Made includes a supporting cast of Blair Underwood, who will be playing Walker’s husband, Tiffany Hadish as Walker’s daughter, Lelia, Garrett Morris will be Walker’s father in law and Bill Bellamy will be Sweetness, Walker’s cousin. Kevin Carroll is set to play Freeman Ransom, Walker’s lawyer, and Carmen Ejogo will be going up against Walker as Addie Munroe, the mogul’s business rival and competitor.
Warner Bros. Television will be producing the series in relation with SpringHill Entertainment and Wonder Street. The show will be ran by Elle Johnson and Janine Sherman Barrois. Nicole Jefferson Asher, who is a writer and co executive producer,w ill also have her fingerprints on the show along with the two showrunners. Self Made will be executive produced by Elle Johnson, Janine Sherman Barrois, Nicole Jefferson Asher, Octavia Spencer, Christine Holder, Jamal Henderson, Kasi Lemons, Maverick Carter and Lebron James.