Self Made: Inspired by the life of Madam C. J. Walker

Octavia Spencer is Madam C.J. Walker

Who doesn't love a rags-to-riches story?

And this one has all the elements. C.J. Walker was born in Louisiana in 1867. When we meet her on the Netflix limited series, she's a washerwoman. Make that a washerwoman with big dreams.

C.J. is one tough cookie and uses her determination and 1,000 horsepower drive to build an empire in the women's hair care arena and become the first female self-made millionaire. (Check it out in the Guinness Book of World Records.)

The series takes some liberties with elements of her story. But who cares when it dishes out some first-class entertainment. Even a few song-and-dance numbers. And Blair Underwood as her sometimes husband.

So take a trip back to turn-of-the-century New York. You won't regret it.