Nigerian author and filmmaker Arese Ugwu has opened up about a painful rejection from Netflix.
The 39-year-old writer revealed that the global streaming platform refused to partner with her to expand her TV series The Smart Money Woman, despite its success.
Arese Ugwu said the setback nearly broke her. The show had gained wide attention and strong viewership, but her request for a larger-scale collaboration was turned down.
A dream cut short
In a recent interview with Afropolitan, Arese Ugwu spoke about how her dreams to grow the project hit a wall. She explained that after the first season of The Smart Money Woman aired successfully, she hoped Netflix would come on board to help her produce a bigger and better second season.
“We were able to produce Season 1 of The Smart Money Woman, and we got a fantastic reception,” Ugwu said. “It aired on Africa Magic and also made it to Netflix. We stayed in the top 10 for 13 weeks.”
With that success, she approached Netflix with a proposal. She wanted financial support and a long-term partnership to expand the show’s reach. But the answer shocked her.
“I then approached Netflix for sponsorship to make the project bigger and better,” she said. “And shockingly, they turned me down. That rejection almost broke me.”
More than just a book author
The Smart Money Woman began as a bestselling book by Arese Ugwu. It follows the lives of five Nigerian women as they navigate money, friendship, and career challenges. The story mixes financial education with relatable drama, offering practical tips on how to make better money decisions.
The book’s popularity led to the creation of a television adaptation. The show quickly gained fans across Africa, and many praised its fresh take on financial literacy and modern African women’s lives.
But for Arese Ugwu, the journey didn’t end with just writing a book. She wants more. She wants to build a career in filmmaking.
“I want to establish myself as a filmmaker,” she said. “I feel like some people still see me as the girl who wrote a book and the book was turned into a TV series.”
Pushing through the setback
Ugwu admitted the rejection was a heavy emotional blow. But she hasn’t allowed it to stop her. Instead, she is using the experience to drive her next move. She’s determined to keep creating, keep growing, and keep telling stories that matter.
Her experience highlights a larger challenge faced by many African creators. Even when they prove themselves with successful projects, getting long-term support from big international platforms can be hard.
Still, Ugwu remains focused. She continues to push for better representation of African stories and talents in the global film and TV space.
Looking ahead
Although Netflix said no, Ugwu isn’t giving up. She hinted that new projects are in the works and that she plans to explore other partnerships. For her, the goal remains clear: to make meaningful content that reflects African voices and experiences.
Her story is a reminder of the struggles behind the scenes, especially for women in the entertainment industry. It also shows the grit required to rise above rejection and continue building something greater.
As Ugwu puts it, “I’m not just a writer anymore. I’m building something bigger.”
