In a first for the franchise, National Geographic’s Emmy® Award-winning Genius anthology series profiles two towering figures from American history—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. Premiering February 1, 2024, Genius: MLK/X presents an emotional, nuanced, and timely docudrama exploring how these visionaries shaped the Civil Rights Movement through different approaches yet shared goals.
Two Icons, One Vision
Set to debut with a special broadcast on ABC and two-episode drops every Thursday on National Geographic, the eight-part series offers a compelling dual narrative. It follows both Dr. King (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X (Aaron Pierre) from childhood through their transformative activism. Their differing ideologies—nonviolence versus revolution—sparked debate, yet both leaders dreamed of freedom, equality, and dignity for Black Americans.
As executive producer Gina Prince-Bythewood explained during a post-screening Q&A, the story highlights how the two men’s philosophies began to align near the end of their lives. “They were both integral to the Movement,” she noted. “They had the same goal, just different ways of going about it.”
Authenticity in Performance
Portraying historical figures with such weight and complexity is no small task. Both Harrison and Pierre approached their roles with humility and deep research. Harrison admitted to initial self-doubt, but he leaned into King’s own vulnerability and youth. Pierre, too, immersed himself in Malcolm X’s life story to find truth and authenticity in every scene.
Their performances are complemented by Weruche Opia and Jayme Lawson, who portray Coretta Scott King and Dr. Betty Shabazz. Both actresses emphasized the importance of honoring the often-overlooked roles these women played, offering depth, emotion, and humanity to the larger narrative.
Expanding the Civil Rights Conversation
Executive producer Jeff Stetson, whose acclaimed play The Meeting inspired the series. She believes the show helps break down simplistic comparisons between the two leaders. “No revolutionary can be a revolutionary without understanding the vision of a dream”. He said, urging audiences to see beyond the binary.
From detailed personal moments to sweeping historical events. Genius: MLK/X treats its subjects with care, reverence, and depth. As Prince-Bythewood put it, the series “takes them off the T-shirts” to reveal the real men—and their families—behind the legacy.
