GENIUS: MLK/X Stars Kelvin Harrison Jr. (‘The Trial of the Chicago 7’) as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Aaron Pierre (‘The Underground Railroad’) as Malcolm X, Weruche Opia (‘I May Destroy You’) as Coretta Scott King, and Jayme Lawson (‘The Batman’) as Betty Shabazz
The Series Also Marks One of the Last Roles for Emmy-Winning Actor Ron Cephas Jones (‘This Is Us’)
GENIUS: MLK/X Premieres Feb. 1 on National Geographic and Streams Feb. 2 on Disney+ and Hulu; The Pilot Episode Will Simulcast on ABC Feb. 1 at 9/8c
National Geographic:
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Key Art for GENIUS: MLK/X ©2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC
WHAT: Ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, National Geographic released the trailer and key art for the newest installment of the Emmy Award-winning anthology series GENIUS: MLK/X. For the first time, the docu-drama series explores the lives of two iconic geniuses: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
WHEN: Two episodes will premiere weekly beginning Feb. 1 on National Geographic at 9/8c and will stream the next day on both Disney+ and Hulu. The first episode of the new season, “Graduation,” will simulcast on ABC Feb. 1 at 9/8c.
WHY: Setting the series apart from other retellings, GENIUS: MLK/X explores simultaneously the formative years, pioneering accomplishments, dueling philosophies and key personal relationships of both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X (Aaron Pierre). While King advanced racial equality through nonviolent activism, X advocated for Black empowerment, identity and self-determination. The eight-part series also brings their wives, Coretta Scott King (Weruche Opia) and Betty Shabazz (Jayme Lawson), to the forefront and shows them as formidable equals of the Movement. While King and X met only once and often challenged each other’s views, the two visionaries, with their wives leading by their sides, ultimately rose to pioneer a movement that lives on today.
WHO: For Imagine Television, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Kristen Zolner are executive producers. For Undisputed Cinema, Reggie Rock Bythewood, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Francie Calfo are executive producers. Raphael Jackson Jr. and Damione Macedon are showrunners and executive producers. For Madison Wells, Gigi Pritzker and Rachel Shane serve as executive producers. For EUE/Sokolow, Sam Sokolow is executive producer. Jeff Stetson (“The Meeting”) penned the pilot and is executive producer. Channing Godfrey Peoples (“Miss Juneteenth”) directed the pilot episode and also served as co-executive producer. Ambassador Shabazz served as a consulting producer. The series is produced by 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios.
PHOTOS AVAILABLE: High-res images available HERE.
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Contacts
Jennifer Driscoll, Jennifer.Driscoll@natgeo.com
Kate Squier, Kate.Squier@natgeo.com
