Spike Lee burst onto the indie filmmaking scene in 1986 with his first movie – SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT – about a woman trying to juggle her busy love life while trying to retain her sense of independence in Brooklyn, New York. Now the movie has been turned into a series on Netflix, and you can get a look at it with this new trailer. Lee’s intro from the original movie is used here, before launching into footage of the new show starring DeWanda Wise, Cleo Anthony, Lyriq Bent and Anthony Ramos.
Here is a full synopsis:
The seriously sexy comedy stars breakout actress DeWanda Wise as Nola Darling, an uncompromising woman in her late twenties struggling to define herself and divide her time among her Friends, her Job and her Three Lovers: The Cultured Model, Greer Childs, The Protective Investment Banker, Jamie Overstreet and Da Original B-Boy Sneakerhead, Mars Blackmon. Nola is not who you want her to be. Nola is now—she is outspoken, complicated, progressive, unapologetic, passionate, sexual.. Spike Lee directs all 10 episodes of the series, he created and produced the show. Tonya Lewis Lee is Executive Producer. Barry Michael Cooper and Lynn Nottage are also Producers. She’s Gotta Have It was SPIKE’s landmark film which he shot in 12 days during the long hot summer of 1986. The film signaled a change of how African Americans are portrayed in movies. The new She’s Gotta Have It is his first TV series.
The original SHE'S GOTTA HAVE IT was a landmark entry in what would kick off an independent film movement in the late 80's and through the 90's and gave a voice to African Americans at a time when they weren't being well-represented in movies or TV. We have obviously watched Lee's career blossom since then, but still, black Americans continue to feel unrepresented in the entertainment industry. Recently, more and more shows like DEAR WHITE PEOPLE (based on the movie), ATLANTA and INSECURE have done a great job progressing on that front, with more shows and movies coming down the pipe. All those shows are great, and I hope Lee does just a well a job in TV game as he has the movie realm. If you're still not sold on watching it, may I remind you there will be occasional nudity?
SHE'S GOTTA HAVE IT drops on Netflix November 23.