The Emmy-nominated limited series Genius does a deep dive into the fascinating stories of the world’s most brilliant innovators, minds and talents. It appropriately kicked off with Albert Einstein and then explored the life of Pablo Picasso before debuting the third installment that put shine on Aretha Franklin.
For the first time ever in the franchise’s history, Disney+ and National Geographic unveiled that the limited series would focus on two iconic geniuses: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Titled Genius: MLK/X, Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince-Bythewood will serve as executive producers under their production banner Undisputed Cinema. The series will be produced by Imagine Television Studios and 20th Television. Brian Grazer and Ron Howard return as executive producers.
The fourth season moves to Disney+ for the first time. The limited series will explore the formative years, pioneering accomplishments, duelling philosophies and key personal relationships of 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.
With their formidable wives, Coretta Scott King and Betty Shabazz, by their sides, King and Malcolm X became synonymous with the civil rights era and the fight for racial and economic justice. While they met only once and often challenged each other’s views, neither would have been as successful without the other.
“Malcolm and Martin are staggering icons, and we have been eager to explore the genius of these two very real men in a way that has not yet been seen,” said the Bythewoods. “We are excited to team up with Imagine Entertainment and 20th Television to reflect their amazing lives and contributions to civil rights and the urgency of today.”
Also joining Genius: MLK/X as showrunners and executive producers are Raphael Jackson, Jr. and Damione Macedon (The Mosquito Coast, Power), and Jeff Stetson is penning the pilot. Francie Calfo (Genius, Empire) and Anna Culp (Genius, Under the Banner of Heaven) return as executive producers.
In addition to Calfo and Culp, Gigi Pritzker and Rachel Shane (MWM Studios) and Sam Sokolow (EUE/Sokolow) will return as executive producers.
