The Queen Cleopatra Netflix documentary reassess Cleopatra’s story and her heritage
Executive produced and narrated by Jada Pinkett Smith, the new Queen Cleopatra Netflix documentary is a continuation of the African Queens docuseries and will cover the story”the world’s most famous, powerful and misunderstood woman.” The history of Cleopatra has been much debated upon, which Hollywood frequently ignores. This aspect of her story is revisited in the upcoming series.
In addition to executive producing, Pinkett Smith also narrates the four 45-minute episodes of the Queen Cleopatra Netflix documentary series, which alternates between historical dramatization and documentary. The usual portrayal of Queen Cleopatra, who has been played most memorably by Elizabeth Taylor and Sophia Loren, contrasts with the actual portrayal of the historical woman in the doc.
“We don’t often get to see or hear stories about Black queens, and that was really important for me, as well as for my daughter, and just for my community to be able to know those stories because there are tons of them,” said Pinkett Smith. “Cleopatra is a queen who many know about, but not in her truth. She’s been displayed as overtly sexual, excessive, and corrupt, yet she was a strategist, an intellect, a commanding force of nature, who fought to protect her kingdom, and her heritage is highly debated.”

The series was written by Peres Owino and NneNne Iwuji and produced by the Smiths’ Westbrook Studios in collaboration with Nutopia. Adele James, a writer, producer, and actor who had a breakthrough in the BBC series Casualty, will star as Queen Cleopatra.
The Queen Cleopatra Netflix documentary will stream exclusively on Netflix starting May 10. Watch the Queen Cleopatra official trailer below.