Netflix Unveils Premiere Date, Photos for Madam C.J. Walker Series ‘Self Made’

Netflix will bring the story of Madam C. J. Walker to television on March 20.

The streamer unveiled a first look Thursday at the project titled Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker. The four-part limited series stars Octavia Spencer as the iconic hair-care pioneer.

In newly released photos, the Oscar-winning actress is shown in costume as Walker, who rose from poverty to become the nation’s first black, self-made female millionaire.

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Additional cast members include Blair Underwood as her husband C.J. Walker and Tiffany Haddish as her daughter Lelia. Carmen Ejogo, Garrett Morris, Kevin Carroll, and Bill Bellamy also have roles in the project.

The streaming giant shared photos from the series on its Strong Black Lead Twitter account.

Y'all I'm so excited for this incredible story!!

Here's a first look at "Self Made: Inspired by The Life of Madam C.J. Walker" starring @octaviaspencer, @BlairUnderwood, @TiffanyHaddish, @carmenejogo, and so many more! The 4-part series limited series debuts 3/20 on @netflix! pic.twitter.com/xOhm4MFeYU

— Strong Black Lead (@strongblacklead) January 2, 2020

Netflix first announced the limited series was in development back in 2018, with Spencer and LeBron James serving as executive producers.

The project is inspired by the book On Her Own Ground, by former ABC News executive A’Lelia Bundles, who is Walker’s great-great-granddaughter.

Walker, real name Sarah Breedlove, was born on a plantation in Delta, Louisiana, in 1867, according to the official website dedicated to her life.

The series will recount Walker’s journey from being orphaned at age seven, to marrying at 14, and becoming a washerwoman, before discovering a scalp conditioning and healing formula known as Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower. Walker died in 1919 at age 51.

The limited series is produced by SpringHill Entertainment and Wonder Street in association with Warner Bros. Television. The project is directed by Kasi Lemmons and DeMane Davis, and executive produced by Janine Sherman Barrois, Elle Johnson, Maverick Carter, LeBron James, Octavia Spencer, Mark Holder, Christine Holder, Kasi Lemmons, and Jamal Henderson.