Netflix released the first trailer Tuesday for Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker, starring Octavia Spencer as the iconic hair-care pioneer.
The four-part limited series follows Walker’s rise from poverty in the deep South, to becoming the nation’s first self-made black female millionaire.
In the trailer, Spencer’s Walker initially doubts she can make more of herself than being a washerwoman.
“It seems like I was born to struggle,” she says. “After a while I guess I just lost hope.”
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Over time, she develops more confidence with support from her husband C.J. Walker, played by Blair Underwood, and her daughter Lelia, portrayed by Tiffany Haddish. Carmen Ejogo, Garrett Morris, Kevin Carroll, and Bill Bellamy also have roles in the project.
“Don’t let nobody steal your dream,” Haddish’s character tells her mom, who eventually finds success after deciding to “dream big.”
Walker, real name Sarah Breedlove, was born on a Louisiana plantation in 1867, according to the official website dedicated to her life. After discovering a scalp conditioning and healing formula known as Madam Walker’s Wonderful Hair Grower, she became a self made businesswoman.
Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker was created by Nicole Jefferson Asher with co-showrunners Elle Johnson & Janine Sherman Barrois. It is directed by Kasi Lemmons and DeMane Davis, and executive produced by Barrois, Johnson, Maverick Carter, Jamal Henderson, Eric Oberland, Christine Holder, Mark Holder, Kasi Lemmons, LeBron James and Octavia Spencer.
The limited series premieres March 20 on Netflix.