African Queens: Njinga: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 5 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Overwhelming dislike based on 7 Ratings

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0.6	Your Score
0.6	User Score Overwhelming dislike based on 7 Ratings

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African Queens: Njinga

Now Playing: African Queens: Njinga

Season Details & Credits

Netflix | Season Premiere Date: February 15, 2023

Summary: Queen Njinga of Angola is the focus of this documentary anthology series executive produced by Jada Pinkett Smith.

Genre(s): Documentary

Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E4. Legacy
Air Date: February 15, 2023
tbd
S1:E3. The Blood Oath
Air Date: February 15, 2023
tbd
S1:E2. Power Is Not Given
Air Date: February 15, 2023

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Angie Han

Feb 15, 2023

If it’s slightly frustrating that this project only seems to be scratching the surface of Njinga’s complexity as a real ruler or narrative potential as a fictionalized heroine, it’s only because it mounts such a compelling case for her appeal to begin with. Read full review

Melanie McFarland

Feb 15, 2023

Black experts from across the diaspora, including observations from a modern Woman King, Queen Diambi Kabatusuila of the Bakwa Luntu people, assist Oni in bringing Njinga to life. The details drawing her as a leader capable of expansive nobility and grave horror are enthralling, but the actor realizes her as a woman whose family is the source of her strength and a significant military weakness. Read full review

Richard Roeper

Feb 15, 2023

Narrated by executive producer Jada Pinkett Smith and benefiting greatly from the writing of Peres Owino and NneNne Iwuji, “African Queens: Njinga” at times feels a little bit like homework — but it’s a subject well worth our attention, and a lesson plan executed in well-paced, entertaining fashion. Read full review

Joel Keller

Feb 15, 2023

Despite the fact that the interview portions of African Queens: Njinga feel more like window dressing than anything else, the dramatic segments are well-written and acted, making those talking head segments less intrusive. Read full review

The Guardian Ellen E Jones

Feb 15, 2023

These dramatised sections are pretty workaday stuff, of the same indifferent quality you would expect from equivalent scenes in a daytime-scheduled, Channel 5 Tudors doc. ... In general it lacks context or deeper analysis beyond the straight recounting of Njinga’s biography. Read full review

User Score

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0.6

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User Reviews

theirrelephants

Mar 7, 2023

Jada got this show because of her connections. That's the only reasonable explanation I have here.

No wonder netflix is losing subscribers if this is their average 'original content' offering. Yeah they got a good review from a black supremacist website (Salon), but that even theyJada got this show because of her connections. That's the only reasonable explanation I have here.

No wonder netflix is losing subscribers if this is their average 'original content' offering. Yeah they got a good review from a black supremacist website (Salon), but that even they couldn't give it above an 80 should tell you all you need to know.

The interview sections are absolutely pointless and kill any interesting feelings the dramatization parts might have engendered. Just make it a fake drama or something.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Vandura

Jun 7, 2023

The acting is absolutely dreadful, The historical inaccuracy is ridiculous and the costumes/set pieces look cheap. Adding Jada Pinkett Smith's narration makes it completely unbearable.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Seasons & Episodes

69

Series Overview
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: February 15, 2023
Season 1

69
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: February 15, 2023
- tbd
  S1:E4. Legacy
  Air Date: February 15, 2023
- tbd
  S1:E3. The Blood Oath
  Air Date: February 15, 2023
- tbd
  S1:E2. Power Is Not Given
  Air Date: February 15, 2023
- tbd
  S1:E1. Death of a King
  Air Date: February 15, 2023