Octavia Spencer is set to play America’s first black, self-made female millionaire — Madam C.J. Walkder — in an upcoming Netflix series.
via NYDN:
Walker, whose real name was Sarah Breedlove, was born in Louisiana to former slaves in 1867. She was orphaned by age 7, earned money washing clothes by age 10 and was married at 14. She was a widow six years later.
After spending more than 20 years toiling for $1.50 a week, Walker created a hair care formula that she turned into a multimillion-dollar business. Walker, who died in 1919 and is buried in the Bronx, also devoted her life to philanthropy and activism.
The eight-episode series is based on the 2002 biography “On Her Own Ground,” written by Walker’s great-great-granddaughter A’Lelia Bundles.
Spencer was named best supporting actress for 2011’s “The Help” and received back-to-back nominations for “Hidden Figures” in 2016 and “The Shape of Water” last year.
Basketball star LeBron James, through his Springhill Production company, will serve as an executive producer on the project.
We can’t wait for this!
