Celebrated Nigerian author and filmmaker, Arese Ugwu, has shared a deeply personal moment in her creative journey, revealing how a rejection from streaming powerhouse Netflix nearly shattered her dreams of building a formidable career in the film industry.
Best known for her bestselling book The Smart Money Woman, which was adapted into a TV series in 2021, Ugwu recounted the emotional impact of Netflix’s refusal to back a second season of the acclaimed show. Speaking in a recent interview with Afropolitan, the 39-year-old revealed how the rejection came at a critical point just when she hoped to expand and elevate the series following its strong performance both on DStv’s Africa Magic and on Netflix itself.
“We were able to produce Season 1 of The Smart Money Woman and got a fantastic reception on Africa Magic and Netflix. We were in the top 10 for 13 weeks on Netflix. I then approached Netflix for sponsorship to make the project bigger and better, and shockingly, they turned me down. That rejection almost broke me,” Ugwu said, laying bare the disappointment that followed what should have been a career high.
Despite the blow, Ugwu remains determined to chart a successful path in filmmaking, beyond being recognized solely for her work as an author.
“I want to establish myself as a filmmaker. I feel like some people still see me as the girl who wrote a book and the book was turned into a TV series,” she stated.
Ugwu’s story is one of resilience and ambition, a reminder of the challenges many creatives face behind the scenes, and the strength it takes to keep pushing forward, even when the doors of opportunity seem to close.
