As Black History Month approaches, the fourth season of National Geographic’s anthology drama series “Genius” turns its focus to the lives and contributions of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X during the Civil Rights Movement.
The decision to feature both Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X in a dual portrait offers a more comprehensive and nuanced perspective on the civil rights movement. The contrasting approaches and philosophies of these two leaders provide a rich narrative that explores the complexity of the struggle for racial equality during that tumultuous period in American history.
This anthology series by National Geographic, by focusing on these two influential figures, likely delves into the intricacies of their lives, the challenges they faced, and the impact they had on the civil rights movement, as well as the broader cultural and political landscape of the United States during that era.
The special 8-part series stars Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Aaron Pierre share the screen as Dr. King and Malcolm X, Weruche Opia as Coretta Scott King, and Jayme Lawson as Betty Shabazz. This series also stands as one of the final performances of the late Ron Cephas Jones, who sadly passed away in 2023. Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince-Bythewood serve as executive producers, who once again need to be applauded for the magnificent on screen storytelling that was brought to life with this series.
Genius: MLK/X premieres Feb. 1 on National Geographic, with episodes streaming the next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
