Get a First Look at Nat Geo’s ‘Genius: MLK/X’ Starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Aaron Pierre [TEASER]

National Geographic’s Executive Vice President of Scripted and Documentary Films, Carolyn Bernstein, announced that the highly-anticipated GENIUS: MLK/X will premiere on February 1, 2023. The network also released a behind-the-scenes, first look trailer for the series. This eight-part series, which focuses on the iconic figures Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, will stream on Disney+ and Hulu on February 2, following its National Geographic premiere.

READ: Check out the Full Cast List For The Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X Series Genius: MLK/X

The ensemble cast features Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Aaron Pierre as Malcolm X, Weruche Opia as Coretta Scott King, and Jayme Lawson as Betty Shabazz. The series also features one of the final roles of Emmy-winning actor Ron Cephas Jones.

GENIUS: MLK/X will delve into the formative years of both King and X, exploring how their early experiences and influences shaped their remarkable journeys. It humanizes them, shedding light on their roles as husbands, fathers, and individuals.

Notably, the production gives due prominence to their wives, Coretta Scott King and Betty Shabazz, who are often portrayed as peripheral figures, recognizing their vital contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.

Check out the trailer below.

GENIUS: MLK/X marks a significant departure for the Emmy Award-winning anthology series by spotlighting the lives and philosophies of these two Civil Rights Movement leaders. The show is produced by 20th Television and is led by executive producers Brian Grazer and Ron Howard’s Imagine Television, along with Raphael Jackson Jr. and Damione Macedon, who also serve as showrunners. Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince-Bythewood’s Undisputed Cinema are pivotal in bringing this project to life.

Ambassador Shabazz, the producer, writer, diplomat, and eldest daughter of Dr. Betty Shabazz and Malcolm X Shabazz, served as a consulting producer, contributing to historical authenticity. A distinguished panel of historians and experts also provided valuable insights, ensuring the series accurately portrays this transformative period in American history.

“GENIUS: MLK/X” promises to be a thought-provoking addition to the acclaimed anthology series, offering a closer look at the lives and legacies of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, shedding light on their humanity and their contributions to the Civil Rights Movement.