‘Black Panther’s’ Lupita Nyong’o to Star in Smithsonian Channel Documentary

By R. Thomas Umstead
published

‘Warrior Women with Lupita Nyong’o' to debut March 28

Smithsonian Channel and Black Panther actress Lupita Nyong’o will trace the origins of an all-female African army in a new documentary debuting on March 28.

The documentary, Warrior Women with Lupita Nyong’o will take viewers across Benin, West Africa to uncover the truth behind the women who helped to inspire the Dora Milaje fighters of Marvel’s Black Panther film.

According to the network, the little-known but highly formidable Agoji warrior women protected the rulers of one of the richest kingdoms in Africa until a bitter defeat in 1892 that may (or may not) have disbanded them forever.

Warrior Women With Lupita Nyong’o will also air on Smithsonian Channel in Latin America later this year, according to the network.

R. Thomas Umstead
R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.