African Queens

SYNOPSIS

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Executive produced and narrated by Jada Pinkett Smith, African Queens is a hybrid docuseries that blends dramatised scripted sequences with expert historical analysis. The series aims to reclaim the narratives of Africa's most iconic female rulers, whose legacies have often been obscured or distorted by Western perspectives.

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The first season, Njinga, follows the 17th-century warrior queen of Ndongo and Matamba (modern-day Angola) as she navigates family betrayal and political rivalries to resist Portuguese colonisation. The second season, Cleopatra, explores the life of the world’s most famous, yet misunderstood, female monarch, emphasising her intellect and heritage as a ruler of Egypt rather than just her romantic entanglements.

 

PROJECT DETAILS

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Original title: African Queens

Seasons: 2 (Njinga and Cleopatra)

Length: ~45 min per episode (8 episodes total)

Country: USA, UK

Produced by: Westbrook Studios, Nutopia

Original language: English

Shooting format: Digital 4K / Colour

Streamer: Netflix (Global)

 

CREDITS​

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Executive Producers: Jada Pinkett Smith, Miguel Melendez, Terence Carter, Sahara Bushue, Jane Root, Maxine Watson, Ben Goold

Narrator: Jada Pinkett Smith

Writers: Peres Owino, NneNne Iwuji

Directors: Ethosheia Hylton (Njinga), Tina Gharavi (Cleopatra)

Cinematography: Kabelo Thathe

Cast (Njinga): Adesuwa Oni, Eshe Asante, Marilyn Nnadebe, Philips Nortey, Thabo Rametsi

Cast (Cleopatra): Adele James, Craig Russell, John Partridge, Kaysha Woollery

Historical Experts: Queen Diambi Kabatusuila, Rosa Cruz e Silva, Cécile Fromont, Olivette Otele, Luke Pepera

 

FESTIVALS & AWARDS​

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Daytime Emmy Awards (2024): 12 Nominations (including Outstanding Writing for a Daytime Non-Fiction Series and Outstanding Directing)

Daytime Emmy Awards (2024): Winner for Outstanding Casting

NAACP Image Awards (2024): Nominated for Outstanding Documentary (Television)