Octavia Spencer is about to show Netflix the money, as the streamer announced during the Television Critics Association press tour Sunday the Academy Award winner will lead “Madam C.J. Walker,” their upcoming limited series about America’s first self-made, black female millionaire.
Based on the book “On Her Own Ground,” by A’Lelia Bundles, the eight-episode series tells the untold story of black hair care pioneer and mogul Madam C.J. Walker and how she overcame hostile turn-of-the-century America, epic rivalries, tumultuous marriages and trifling family to become the first black woman to reach millionaire status in the United States.
Spencer will executive produce the series, along with LeBron James, and star as Sarah Breedlove, famously known as Madam C.J. Walker.
Janine Sherman Barrois and Elle Johnson will act as co-showrunners and executive produce the series alongside Spencer, James, Maverick Carter for SpringHill, Mark Holder, and Christine Holder under the Zero Gravity banner. Nicole Asher penned the script and Kasi Lemmons (“Eve’s Bayou,” “Talk to Me”) directed and executive produced the pilot.
“Madam C.J. Walker” is produced for Netflix by SpringHill Entertainment and Zero Gravity in association with Warner Bros. Television.
The Spencer drama announcement was one of many made by Netflix Sunday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour. Earlier in the day, Netflix unveiled the trailer for Season 2 of Jason Bateman drama “Ozark.”
The streamer also set the date for Emma Stone-Jonah Hill series “Maniac.”