In a first look at the upcoming season of National Geographic’s anthology series, ‘Genius: MLK/X,’ the work of two legendary civil rights leaders comes to the fore
More than 50 years later, it’s still hard to overstate how important the civil rights movement was to ending racial discrimination, largely thanks to the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
The “dueling philosophies” of legendary civil rights leaders are at the center of the latest installment of National Geographic’s eight-part anthology series Genius: MLK/X, premiere on February 1. The cast includes 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 first teaser offers a behind-the-scenes look at the new season of the Emmy-winning series.
Genius: MLK/X stars Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Aaron Pierre.
National Geographic
“I don’t think you can understand who Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was and his legacy without understanding the legacy of Malcolm X,” Peniel E. Joseph explains as the camera cuts to brief moments of Harrison Jr. and Pierre who play two civil rights fighters.
“It’s interesting to see them next to each other, but in different places,” says Opia.
“They had the same goals. They had the same goals,” explains Pierre.
“Their approach is just a little bit different,” Lawson adds. “They’re just reaching people that the other one missed.”
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‘Genius: MLK/X’ star Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Martin Luther King Jr.
National Geographic
As brief clips flash of King and Malcolm X kissing their wives, the teaser cuts to cops beating and arresting black Americans on the street. “There is a preconception that they were both against each other,” Opia continues.
“Over time, they really become people who influence others,” Joseph says, as King and Malcolm X go through similar staged moments.
“It’s like they’re talking to each other throughout history,” Lawson concludes.
The two finally meet in the teaser’s climactic scene, shaking hands warmly before the show’s title makes a dramatic appearance.
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‘Genius: MLK/X’ star Aaron Pierre plays Malcolm X.
National Geographic
Genius: MLK/X follows King and Malcolm X through their formative years through their time in the midst of the civil rights movement, exploring “untapped moments in their lives as husbands, fathers, brothers and sons,” according to a press release. The anthology series will also delve into Scott King and Shabazz, portraying them as “terrible equals to the Movement.”
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The first two episodes GENIUS: MLK/X premieres February 1 on National Geographic and can be streamed the following day on Disney+ and Hulu, with two new episodes debuting weekly on all platforms.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education