The private lives and relationships of two of the most iconic civil rights leaders will be explored in the Emmy Award-winning “Genius” anthology series.
Disney+ and National Geographic announced Wednesday that Kelvin Harrison Jr. will star as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Aaron Pierre will play Malcolm X in “Genius: MLK/X,” expected to start production in Atlanta next month.
According to the logline, the anthology series “will explore the formative years, pioneering accomplishments, dueling philosophies and key personal relationships of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. While King advanced racial equality through nonviolent protest, Malcolm X argued forcefully for Black empowerment, identity and self-determination.”
Harrison, who most recently appeared as blues pioneer B.B. King in “Elvis,” received buzz earlier this year for his star turn in “Cyrano.” The New Orleans native previously starred as Fred Hampton in Aaron Sorkin’s six-time Oscar nominated historical drama “The Trial of the Chicago 7.”
Pierre had a star turn in the Prime Video series “The Underground Railroad” and M. Night Shyamalan’s “Old” last year. The London-born actor was also cast as the lead of the new “Blade” movie, which is in preproduction. Both actors will also star in “Mufasa: The Lion King” — Barry Jenkins’ live action sequel to “The Lion King,” expected to hit theaters in 2024.
“I May Destroy You” actress Weruche Opia will play Coretta Scott King, and Jayme Lawson (of “The Batman”) as Betty Shabazz in the series that will be helmed by “Miss Juneteenth” director Channing Godfrey Peoples.
Executive producers Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince-Bythewood selected several historians and experts to serve as consultants before the project was scripted in order to guide the narrative.
Former Black Panther Party member and Columbia University School of the Arts Prof. Jamal Joseph, Muslim Wellness Foundation founder Dr. Kameelah Rashad, award-winning journalist and author Dr. Barbara Reynolds and Pastor Michael A. Walrond, Jr., of Harlem’s First Corinthian Baptist Church are among the think tank for “Genius: MLK/X.”
“We wanted to assemble a consortium of scholars and experts who can not only lend their extensive knowledge, expertise and research but also create a space for meaningful debate and discussion to ensure an honest portrayal of the complexities of these iconic geniuses. The legacies of Martin and Malcolm are critical to our understanding of the social justice movements of today, so we had to get this right. We could not have asked for a more incredible group to guide us through their stories,” added the Bythewoods.
The “Genius” series set out to dramatize the stories of the world’s most brilliant innovators, exploring their achievements along with their complex personal relationships.
Previous subjects include scientist Albert Einstein (portrayed by Geoffrey Rush) in 2017 and 2019′s installment about iconic Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, played by Antonio Banderas.
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