There is something profoundly captivating about the chronicles of royalty. Perhaps it is their royal nature. Maybe it results from many a fairy tale told of castles, banquet halls, luxurious accommodations, and picturesque lifestyles. Whatever the case, the story of kings and queens is fascinating. Throughout cinematic history, stories about the European monarchy have entertained viewers, such as the exploits of King Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Catherine the great, etc… However, films rarely feature African royals, with the exception of the 2001 TV Movie Shaka Zulu: Citadel and a few others. Nevertheless, this is changing, and Netflix’s current offering, African Queens: Njinga, is an incremental marker of this shift. As a historical and momentous work, here is what the piece offers and why viewers should watch it.

With African Queens, Netflix offers a different kind of series, a docu-series brought to Netflix by Smith’s Westbrook Studio and Nutopia. A vital part of this series is educating the world on authentic African royalty. As Netflix Tudum quotes Smith,

“We [viewers] don’t have ready access to historical women who were so powerful and were the backbones of African nations.”

And the African Queens series introduces us to the seldom-seen royals of Africa through a dramatic and immersive narrative.

African Queens: Njinga; Plot

Netflix

There’s no question that the title is the most telling indication of the storyline. This series specializes in retelling the stories of lesser-known monarchs. With each season highlighting a different regal figure, the project aims to educate and uplift by exploring each queen’s life, tribulations, and kingdoms. And there is some good news for fans who find themselves bored to tears by docu-series. This series is anything but dry. Instead, it is expertly conducted and highly entertaining.

The first season is devoted to Queen Njinga and her rise to the rulership of Ndongo, or what is currently referred to as Angola. It is a multi-episodic look into the politics, lifestyle, cultural structure, and events helping to shape Njinga and assist in her ascension. Peres Owino and NneNne Iwuj, two writers who worked closely with Pinkett Smith to frame this account, provide that multi-faceted story. And although dramatized, it is a true-to-life account. While it’s normal to stretch a historical narrative, stories involving African royalty do not have that benefit, as Pinkett explained to Netflix. “There’s a lot of historical literature around each queen of England, so if you decide to tell their stories, the purity of their existence is within our grasp as opposed to their counterpart in Africa.” So, she [Jada] wanted to stick as close to the historical account as possible…”

Related: Best Docuseries of 2022, Ranked

African Queens: Njinga The Characters

Netflix

The cast members might be unrecognizable to many cinema-goers, but in this case, it benefits the production. They are terrific actors with refined acting skills however aren’t burdened under the shadow of expectation. Adesuwa Oni embodies the role of Queen Njinga. Phillip Nortey fills the shoes of Njinga’s father, the patriarch, and King, Mbande. And Njinga’s sisters are played by Chipo Kureya and Marilyin Nnadebe. While Nortey, Kurey, and Nnadebe may be largely unrecognized, such may not be the case with Oni. This is not Oni’s first project, although the first time in a titular role. Oni has also appeared in The Witcher and the 2023 film Operation Napoleon. However, it wasn’t Oni’s former work that earned her the role of Njinga. Instead, it was her audition that blew Smith away. According to Netflix for Smith,

“Oni had such formidable strength, but also a level of vulnerability that she loved.”

African Queens: Njinga Why Watch?

Netflix

For those wondering why tune in? African Queens is a historical narrative that feeds into the narrative of the Western World. According to Time, “Njinga’s rise to power is inextricably linked to European colonization and the transatlantic slave trade, two forces she fought relentlessly.” Those who know history are well aware of the transatlantic slave trade and its impact on Western Civilization. Additionally, it is a compelling portrayal that depicts the life of a royal in a setting that is seldom seen.

As a result, we get a portrait of a queen who, despite being born on African soil, is equal to all the other queens whose narratives have already been presented. Deeply flawed, human, and complex, Njinga’s political and military skills rivaled those of Elizabeth I and Catherine the Great,” Time notes. Those factors alone are worth a watch. But the most important rationale given comes from Oni per Okayafrica, “Stories like Queen Njinga’s importance in society cannot be overemphasized because they haven’t yet been told reliably. The only way for the younger generation to know more about these stories is they are documented—and documented well.”

Related: Corey Mylchreest Brings King George to Life in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story

How To Watch?

Netflix premiered the series on Feb. 15, and season 2 is on the way. And according to Okayafrica, the second installment will feature Cleopatra, so stay tuned.