Octavia Spencer Builds an Empire in Netflix's Self Made

Octavia Spencer returns to TV alongside an impressive cast in the new Netflix original series Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker. Also today: a new (and completly bonkers) true crime series, a pair of high-profile streaming movie premieres, and The Blacklist returns after a three-month hiatus. Here's what's new and noteworthy on TV this Friday:

SERIES PREMIERE: Octavia Spencer stars in Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker as the legendary African-American businesswoman who founded a hair product empire and became America's first self-made millionaire. Blair Underwood and Tiffany Haddish co-star. Read our review. Streaming on Netflix

DOCUSERIES PREMIERE: As Primetimer's Sarah D, Bunting wrote earlier this week, Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness is our new true crime obsession. The seven-part docuseries delves into the kooky criminal world of Oklahoma's gun-toting, mullet-sporting, big cat-owning polygamist Joe Exotic. Watch the preview. Streaming on Netflix

SERIES PREMIERE: Could Letter for the King be the young adult Game of Thrones? The handsomely produced series follows a knight in training and his ragtag team as they embark on a hero's journey. Watch the preview. Streaming on Netflix

MOVIE PREMIERE: Sidelined from theatrical release due earlier this year, Apple's first original film makes its world premiere on Apple TV+ today. The Banker follows Joe Morris and Bernard Garrett (The Avengers' Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie) who built a business empire in 1954 Los Angeles by creatively circumventing the racial prejudices inherent in the banking industry. Watch the preview. Streaming on Apple TV+

MOVIE PREMIERE: In Amazon's latest original film Blow the Man Down, a violent encounter with a dangerous man forces Mary Beth and Priscilla Connolly (Morgan Saylor and Sophia Lowe) to explore their town's hidden underworld. Watch the preview. Streaming on Amazon

NEW EPISODE: After an extended winter hiatus, The Blacklist returns tonight with what promises to be a new dynamic after Katarina (Laila Robins) faked her death in the mid-season finale. Watch the preview. 8:00 PM ET on NBC

NEW EPISODE: Sports serve as the inspiration for RuPaul's Drag Race's latest couture challenge, which the queens follow with a ball-themed runway show. 8:00 PM ET on VH1

Mike Attebery is Senior Editor at Primetimer and the author of seven mystery thrillers. Follow him on Twitter at @mikeattebery.