On top of executive producing, Pinkett Smith narrates the series, African Queens, which has recently been announced for a second installation.
The docuseries plays out as part dramatization, part historical documentary featuring 4, 45-minute episodes.
Played by British-Nigerian actor Adesuwa Oni, the first season of the series tracks Queen Njinga’s rise to power and how she fought to protect the people of Ndongo (which is now Angola.), presenting a nuanced portrait of a 17th century warrior-ruler known for her diplomatic and military skills—as well as being the first female ruler in Angola.
The second season of the series seeks to re-contextualize and re-examine Cleopatra’s heritage, which has been the subject of much academic debate often ignored by Hollywood in favor of sensationalized tales of her beauty, cunning, and sensuality. Cleopatra, the world’s most famous, powerful, and misunderstood woman – a daring queen whose beauty and romances came to overshadow her real asset: her intellect.
This Article was culled from OkayAfrica and Netflix
