“Genius: MLK/X,” the fourth season of National Geographic’s Emmy-award winning anthology docu-drama series which focuses on a different historical figure each season, will focus on civil rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, starting February 1, 2024.
The Details
“Genius: MLK/X” explores simultaneously the formative years, pioneering accomplishments, dueling philosophies, and key personal relationships of both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X (Aaron Pierre).
While King advanced racial equality through nonviolent activism, X advocated for Black empowerment, identity, and self-determination.
The eight-part series also brings their wives, Coretta Scott King (Weruche Opia) and Betty Shabazz (Jayme Lawson), to the forefront and shows them as formidable equals of the Movement.
While King and X met only once, and often challenged each other’s views, the two visionaries, with their wives leading by their sides, ultimately rose to pioneer a movement that lives on today.
The series also marks one of the last roles for Emmy-Winning actor Ron Cephas Jones (‘This is Us’), who passed away in 2023. He plays Elijah Muhammad, who was the teacher and mentor of Malcolm X.
For Imagine Television, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Kristen Zolner are executive producers. For Undisputed Cinema, Reggie Rock Bythewood, Gina Prince-Bythewood and Francie Calfo are executive producers. Raphael Jackson Jr. and Damione Macedon are showrunners and executive producers. For Madison Wells, Gigi Pritzker and Rachel Shane serve as executive producers. For EUE/Sokolow, Sam Sokolow is executive producer. Jeff Stetson (“The Meeting”) penned the pilot and is executive producer.
Channing Godfrey Peoples (“Miss Juneteenth”) directed the pilot episode and also served as co-executive producer. Ambassador Shabazz served as a consulting producer.
The series is produced by 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios.
First Look
Here is a first look at the series that introduces the major characters and the battles they faced:
How to Watch
Two episodes will premiere weekly beginning February 1 on National Geographic at 9pm ET/8pm CT. The pilot episode will also simulcast on ABC February 1 at 9pm ET/8pm CT
The episodes will then stream the next day on both Disney+ and Hulu.
