Self Made Cast: A Complete Guide to the Stars of Netflix’s 2020 Series
Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker (2020) is a four-episode Netflix limited series that retells the remarkable journey of Madam C.J. Walker, the first self-made female millionaire in America. Released on March 20, 2020 (USA), the series blends drama, history, and biographical storytelling to highlight a woman who built an empire during a time when racial and gender barriers were deeply entrenched.
But one of the biggest strengths of Self Made is its exceptional cast. Each actor—from the lead role to supporting characters—brings authenticity, emotion, and depth to the screen. In this detailed guide, we explore the full Self Made cast, their roles, and how they helped bring Madam Walker’s story to life.
About the Series: What Is Self Made (2020)?
Before diving into the cast, it’s important to understand the foundation of the series.
Genre: Drama, Biography, Historical
No. of episodes: 4
Running format: Limited Series
Created by: Nicole Asher
Executive Producer: Lena Cordina (along with LeBron James, Mark Holder, Stephanie Allain, and Octavia Spencer)
First episode date: March 20, 2020
Based on: On Her Own Ground by A’Lelia Bundles
Music by: Larry Goldings
Where to Watch: Netflix
This series reimagines the extraordinary life of Madam C.J. Walker—from her struggles with poverty and racial discrimination to her rise as a pioneering entrepreneur and hair-care visionary.
Octavia Spencer as Madam C.J. Walker
At the center of the story is Octavia Spencer, who plays the powerful leading role of Madam C.J. Walker.
Spencer’s portrayal is compelling, humanizing, and emotionally strong. She brings Madam Walker’s determination, ambition, vulnerability, and love for her community to the forefront. Known for her roles in Hidden Figures, The Help, Fruitvale Station, and many more, Spencer delivers a performance that anchors the entire narrative.
Her presence is both commanding and empathetic, making her one of the standout elements of the series.
Tiffany Haddish as A’Lelia Walker
Tiffany Haddish stars as A’Lelia Walker, Madam Walker’s daughter. Haddish shows a different side of her acting range, stepping away from pure comedy into deeper dramatic territory.
A’Lelia is strong-willed, artistic, glamorous, and represents a new generation of African American culture. Her storyline in the series explores:
her relationship with her mother
her personal journey
her role in shaping Harlem’s cultural scene
Her performance adds vibrant energy and emotional weight to the cast ensemble.
Carmen Ejogo as Addie Monroe
Carmen Ejogo delivers a standout performance as Addie Monroe, a character loosely inspired by real-life hair product pioneer Annie Malone.
Addie is portrayed as Madam Walker’s professional rival and, at times, adversary. Ejogo’s portrayal adds:
intensity
elegance
emotional conflict
competitive fire
Her character drives the central tension within the storyline and highlights the challenges Black women faced in building businesses during the early 20th century.
Blair Underwood as Charles Joseph Walker
Blair Underwood plays Charles Joseph Walker, Madam C.J. Walker’s husband. Underwood captures the complexity of his character—from supportive partner to frustrated man feeling overshadowed by his wife’s success.
His performance explores themes of:
masculinity
partnership
ego
loyalty and conflict
Underwood adds emotional depth to the narrative and helps illustrate how Walker’s rising success affected her marriage.
Garrett Morris as Cleophus
Veteran actor Garrett Morris appears as Cleophus, Charles Walker’s father. Morris brings humor, charm, and wisdom to the series. His presence adds warmth and generational connection to the Walker family dynamics.
Kevin Carroll as Ransom
Kevin Carroll plays Ransom, Madam Walker’s attorney and one of her most trusted advisors. Carroll’s performance is sharp and convincing as he brings a sense of strategy, loyalty, and professionalism to the series.
Ransom’s character reflects the behind-the-scenes challenges Walker faced as she expanded her brand.
J. Alphonse Nicholson as John
J. Alphonse Nicholson, best known from P-Valley, plays John, A’Lelia’s husband. His storyline focuses on issues of:
marriage
ambition
personal choices
His character’s conflicts add another layer of emotional complexity to A’Lelia’s character arc.
Additional Notable Characters in Self Made
The series features other talented actors who contribute to the overall richness of the story.
Bill Bellamy as Sweetness
Bellamy plays a flamboyant entrepreneur whose interactions bring a mix of levity and conflict.
Mouna Traoré as Esther
Traoré delivers a grounded performance that highlights the struggles of working-class women during that era.
Zachary Levi as John Schuette
Levi portrays Walker’s business partner, adding a corporate viewpoint to the story.
How the Cast Brings the Story of Madam Walker to Life
The Self Made cast works well together to create a story that feels alive, emotional, and historically grounded.
1. Authentic Performances
Every actor contributes to building a 20th-century world filled with hope, conflict, dreams, and social barriers.
2. Chemistry & Character Relationships
The relationships—Mother-daughter, husband-wife, business partners, and rivals—are handled with sensitivity.
3. Portraying Black History with Respect
The cast ensures that the story honors Black entrepreneurship, resilience, and creativity.
4. Mixing Drama With Real-Life Events
The performances blend emotion with historical context, making the story both educational and compelling.
Self Made Episodes: A Quick Overview
The series contains 4 episodes, each showing a different phase in Madam Walker’s transformation:
Episode 1: “The Fight of the Century”
Episode 2: “Bootstraps”
Episode 3: “The Walker Girl”
Episode 4: “A Credit to the Race”
Each episode unveils layers of ambition, rivalry, family, business growth, and social change.
Will There Be a Self Made Season 2?
While fans search for:
Self Made Season 2
Self Made new episodes
Self Made renewed or cancelled
Netflix has not announced a second season.
Because the show is a limited series, it was designed to be complete in four episodes.
Unless Netflix revises the format, Season 2 is unlikely.
Where to Watch Self Made (2020)?
Many viewers search:
Watch Self Made
Self Made Netflix
Self Made full movie
Self Made movie online
The series is currently available on Netflix, where all four episodes can be streamed.
Since it is a Netflix Original, it is usually not available on other platforms.
Behind the Scenes: Production Details
True Story Inspiration
The series is based on the book On Her Own Ground by A’Lelia Bundles, the great-great-granddaughter of Madam Walker.
Music by Larry Goldings
The soundtrack blends jazz, early blues, and classical undertones to capture the era’s cultural atmosphere.
Executive Producer Team
Along with Lena Cordina, the series had strong backing from:
LeBron James
Octavia Spencer
Maverick Carter
Mark Holder
Their involvement elevated production value and helped bring Walker’s story to a global audience.
Why the Cast of Self Made Stands Out
The cast succeeded because they:
presented real history through emotional acting
gave each character nuance instead of stereotypes
brought cultural heritage and authenticity
highlighted strength, innovation, and resilience
Each actor—whether lead or supporting—contributed to shaping a narrative that honors one of America’s greatest business pioneers.
Conclusion
The Self Made cast is the heart of the hit 2020 Netflix series. With powerful performances from Octavia Spencer, Tiffany Haddish, Carmen Ejogo, Blair Underwood, Garrett Morris, Kevin Carroll, J. Alphonse Nicholson, and others, the series does more than recount a historical figure’s life—it celebrates African American entrepreneurship, legacy, and strength.
Their performances bring Madam C.J. Walker’s journey to life, making it a series worth revisiting for history, inspiration, and storytelling.
This article is published by Thegoted.com
