Octavia Spencer leads an all-star cast in Netflix
Octavia Spencer leads an all-star cast in Netflix's new series, Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker.
Octavia Spencer
Who she plays: Madam C.J. Walker
As mentioned, Spencer plays Walker ,who was the first member of her family not born into slavery in 1867. In addition to being a businesswoman, Walker was also a philanthropist who used her wealth to speak out against issues affecting the Black community like lynching. Self Made highlights Walker’s ambition and why it was important for her to create products specifically for Black women.
Some of Spencer’s most known roles were in historical films, but her latest roles have taken her away from the past. She was last seen in Apple+'s Truth Be Told which aired the final episodes of its first season earlier this year. Spencer also starred in horror thriller Ma last year.
Blair Underwood
Who he plays: Charles James Walker
After being married three times, Walker took her third husband’s name and changed from Sarah Breedlove to Madam C.J. Walker. Blair Underwood plays Charles James Walker, C.J., who was married to the businesswoman for six years. The series portrays him as a supportive husband in the beginning. But, he later struggles as Walker’s success grows.
Underwood has plenty of Netflix projects under his belt. He appeared in Volume 3 of Dear White People and also had a role in mini-series When They See Us. Outside of the streaming platform, he has played an abundance of characters throughout his decades-long career including roles in late ‘80s series L.A. Law and crime drama Quantico.
Kevin Carroll
Who he plays: Ransom
Kevin Carroll’s character Ransom is a highly-educated Pullman porter who becomes the lawyer for Madam C.J. Walker Manufacturing Company. He helps Walker secure her patent. It seems the character is based on the real-life Freeman Ransom who was a lawyer, businessman, and activist. He actually did serve as Walker’s legal counsel for 37 years.
Most recently, Carroll made guest appearances on God Friended Me and The Walking Dead. He is mainly known for his starring roles in crime series Snowfall and fantasy drama The Leftovers.
Mouna Traoré
Who she plays: Esther
Mouna Traoré’s character is named Esther. She is a worker on the assembly line for Walker’s products. There doesn’t appear to be a real person that Esther is based on which means it is possible she represents multiple African-American women who Walker employed.
Canadian actress Traoré has landed multiple guest arcs on shows like Majority Rules!, Rookie Blue, and American Gods. Her biggest role so far was in the short-lived BET series In Contempt.
Zahra Bentham
Who she plays: Nettie Ransom
Zahra Bentham’s character Nettie is the wife of Ransom (Carroll). Like Ransom, Nettie was a real woman who interacted with and supported Walker. In the show, Nettie is a member of the National Association for Colored Women.
So far, this year has been a huge step in Bentham’s career which has included multiple guest spots on television shows. She appeared in Netflix’s recently cancelled figure skating series Spinning Out.
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