Disney+ and National Geographic’s anthology series have found an ensemble cast for its upcoming “Genius: MLK/X.” Portraying the leading leaders of the Civil Rights Movement, Calvin Harrison Jr (“Waves,” “Elvis”) was replaced by Dr. As Martin Luther King Jr., Aaron Pierre (“The Underground Railroad”) is portrayed as Malcolm X, Verruche Opia (“I. May Destroy You”), Coretta Scott King and Jaime Lawson (“The Batman”) “) as Betty Shabazz.
Principal photography will begin next month in Atlanta.
“We are excited to have put together an incredible quartet of Calvin, Aaron, Jaime and Verruche to bring depth, complexity and humanity to these indelible icons,” executive producers Reggie Rock Bytwood and Gina Prince-Bythewood said in a statement. , “They’re all to the next level in their chops and their passion for telling this story.”
As previously announced, for the first time for the franchise, Season 4 of the Emmy-winning show (which previously focused on Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso, and Aretha Franklin) will focus on two iconic talents: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. “Genius: MLK/X” will trace the early years, pioneering achievements, dueling philosophy and key personal relationships between the Reverend and the Nation of Islam leader.
The series’ logline continues: “While King advances racial equality through nonviolent protest, Malcolm X argues forcefully for black empowerment, identity and self-determination. Along with his formidable wives, Coretta and Betty, 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.”
In addition to casting news, Bythwoods announced a think tank of historians and experts who were acting as production consultants prior to the start of the Writers’ Room to guide production, including former Black Panther Party leader Jamal Joseph. Are included; journalist Barbara Reynolds; Professor Jean Theoharis; Pastor Michael A. Wallrond; Shabaz’s eldest daughter; Camilla Rashad and Jeff Stetson, founders of the Muslim Wellness Foundation, whose play inspired the series “The Meeting”.
“We wanted to gather a consortium of scholars and experts who can not only lend their extensive knowledge, expertise and research but also a place for meaningful debate and discussion to ensure an honest portrayal of the complexities of these eminent geniuses. Martin and Malcolm’s legacies are vital to our understanding of today’s social justice movements, so we had to get this right. We couldn’t ask for a more incredible group to guide us through their stories could,” Bytewoods said.
Channing Godfrey Peoples (“Miss Juneteenth”) serves as co-executive producer and will direct the pilot episode for “Genius: MLK/X”. Brian Grazer and Ron Howard executive produce for Imagine Television, while Bythwoods and Francie Calfo do so under their Undisputed Cinema banner. Raphael Jackson Jr. and Damien Macedon are the showrunners and EPs. For MWM Studios, Gigi Pritzker and Rachel Shane serve as executive producers. Sam Sokolo also executive produces for EUE / Sokolo. Stetson would pen the pilot, as well as serve as the EP. Ambassador Shabaz Consulting serves as Producer.
