For The Ladies: Netflix's March Releases Featuring All-Star Women
Who runs Netflix? Girls... at least for March.
With March being Women's History Month, many brands and companies are showing their support and solidarity with women everywhere. As we know, women are historically underrepresented and marginalized, and the entertainment industry is still attempting to grow and make a positive change regarding the issue.
According to stats from Women And Hollywood, four percent of all directors in the television and film industry are women, while only 29 percent of women are placed in protagonist roles. It's our duty to give shine to the women who have (and are) successfully showing out for the entire gender.
In order to keep you up-to-date with all things Netflix, VIBE has curated a list of the finest March releases the streaming service has to offer. We've featured films, series and specials that have amazing women at the forefront - whether in the cast or the crew.
Since Netflix is known to drop mature, necessary gems as well as new hits, we mixed it up a little by sharing some classics along with our new obsessions. Kick your feet up, grab all your favorite binge-watching snacks and prepare to hibernate for the rest of the month, as we celebrate the industry's top women on our favorite procrastination-induced streaming platform for Women's History Month.
'How To Get Away With Murder': Season 3
Just in case you blinked and missed the craziest season of HTGAWM, or you just want to binge watch the entire season again (it’s okay, no judgement here) you’ll be able to on Mar. 23. There's also no shortage of girl power on the show or off. HTGAWTM's star Viola Davis made history by becoming the first black actor to receive the acting Triple Crown. Karla Souza just produced and starred in her own movie, and Aja Naomi King is paving her own path with her spot in the critically-acclaimed, Birth Of A Nation. How could we not feature the hit ShondaLand series?
'Greenleaf': Season 1
The second season of the OWN series just dropped this past Wednesday (Mar. 15). Just in case you aren’t caught up and are itching to be apart of the #Greenleaf convo on Twitter, Netflix’s got you. The drama centers on the Greenleaf family who runs a megachurch. However, “their business and personal lives are tainted with greed, adultery and other sins.”
The show draws in OWN’s largest audience (3.04 million viewers), and features Oprah Winfrey and Lynn Whitfield, whose names speak for themselves. You don’t want to miss an ounce of drama the sanctified family has to offer.
'The Carmichael Show': Season 1-2
The sitcom’s first and second seasons will be available to the masses on Mar. 31. The show is heavily influenced by the creator Jerrod Carmichael’s own family, as he admits, “... perspective is key for the show, I’ll call my mom, my dad, my brother, my sister-in-law and talk things out with them.”
The Carmichael Show also covers topics that network series tend to shy away from. For example, the “Fallen Heroes” episode covers the different perspectives of the Cosby scandal. Aside from having Lil Rel Howery from the box-office smash Get Out, TV’s legendary and favorite auntie/mom/ grandma Loretta Devine stars as Jerrod’s mom, Cynthia.
'Burning Sands'
The drama film gained loads of attention following its Jan. 24 release date. The Netflix original covers the harsh dichotomy of fraternity life, such as “pride and dignity” versus the “Burning Sands of hazing.” Naturally, the film features male leads since it centers around fraternity life, and stars Trevor Jackson and Moonlight's Trevante Rhodes. However, it does feature the likes of Alfre Woodard in the role of Professor Hughes.
Woodard's character acts as the devil’s advocate, and challenges “both Zurich (Jackson) and the Dean of Students, implicitly and expressly, to challenge the hypocritical fraternal culture.” The actress has been building quite the noteable catalogue for herself on the streaming platform (she also stars as Mariah on Marvel’s Luke Cage).
'Daddy's Little Girls'
Tyler Perry’s Daddy’s Little Girls is a favorite for reasons other than Idris Elba. The movie features a strong leading lady, Gabrielle Union-Wade, who is killing it as the star of Being Mary Jane, as well as with the launch of her new hair care line, Flawless.
Alongside Union-Wade are Monty’s daughters, played by the McClain sisters, Chyna, Sierra, and Lauryn. Actresses in the supporting roles are also household names; Tracee Ellis Ross plays Cynthia, Terri J. Vaughn as Brenda, and Cassie Davis as Rita. We also can't forget Monty's spiteful ex, Jennifer, played by Tasha Smith.
Dave Chappelle Comedy Special
Last but certainly not least is Dave Chappelle's Comedy Special, set for a March 21 release date. The comeback king's debut is something that no one should miss. Riding the high tide of his hosting spot on Saturday Night Live, Chapelle is proving he and his comedy skills are more relevant than ever. The trailer features A Tribe Called Quest's "We The People," as well as a taste of his material, which covers health issues, police brutality, ISIS, and O.J. Simpson.
Don't get us wrong with this one. We know Chappelle has a one-man show excluding women, but what's a March Netflix list without the return of Dave Chappelle? A legend is a legend.
