Madonna’s taking control of her story again — and this time, she’s doing it her way on Netflix.
The Queen of Pop’s latest power move pairs her with “Stranger Things” heavyweight Shawn Levy for a limited series that promises to chronicle her remarkable evolution from Midwest dreamer to global phenomenon. It’s a fascinating pivot from last year’s scrapped Universal biopic, though anyone familiar with Madonna’s career wouldn’t expect anything less than her insistence on creative control.
“No one’s going to tell my story, but me,” Madonna declared to Variety back in 2022. That statement perfectly captures the essence of an artist who’s spent four decades rewriting the rules of pop culture. Remember that wide-eyed Michigan girl who landed in New York with barely enough cash for a week’s worth of dollar slices? She transformed herself into an entertainment juggernaut who’s moved more than 335 million records worldwide — and she’s done it entirely on her own terms.
The Netflix partnership feels particularly timely as we head into 2025, especially given the streaming giant’s recent push toward prestige biographical content. Levy’s involvement through his 21 Laps Entertainment (fresh off their success with “The Perfect Couple” and that stunning adaptation of “All the Light We Cannot See”) suggests this won’t be your typical by-the-numbers biopic.
Here’s where things get really interesting — Julia Garner, that three-time Emmy winner who was set to portray Madonna in the Universal project, might still be in the running for the role. Her recent appearance during the Celebration Tour certainly got people talking, though nothing’s set in stone just yet.
Let’s be real: this isn’t just another streaming series. We’re talking about diving deep into the story of someone who didn’t just ride the waves of popular culture — she made the waves. From those boundary-pushing MTV performances that had parents clutching their pearls to her unwavering support of LGBTQ rights long before it was mainstream, Madonna’s influence stretches far beyond those countless hit singles.
While the project’s still in early development (and details are about as scarce as original Madonna vinyl), the series format could actually work in its favor. Think about it — each era of her career practically begs for its own episode. There’s enough material in her ’80s New York days alone to fill a whole season.
The streaming format opens up possibilities that a traditional biopic just couldn’t touch. Whether they start with her early days in Michigan, that gritty late-’70s New York art scene, or somewhere completely unexpected, there’s no shortage of compelling narrative threads to explore.
What’s particularly striking about this whole venture is how it embodies Madonna’s career-long insistence on autonomy. In an industry that often tries to wrestle control from artists — especially women — she’s remained steadfast in maintaining her artistic vision. This Netflix collaboration seems to honor that spirit, providing both the platform and creative freedom to tell her story exactly as she sees fit.
As we watch this project develop throughout 2025, one thing’s crystal clear: Madonna’s doing what she’s always done — charting her own course, breaking new ground, and making sure her voice comes through loud and clear. And really, would we expect anything less from the Queen of Pop?
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