Ahead of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Disney has released a new trailer and poster for the newest instalment of the Emmy Award-winning anthology National Geographic series, “Genius: MLK/X”.

The previous seasons of “Genius” focused on one specific genius, Piccaso, Albert Einstein and Aretha Franklin, while for the first time, the docu-drama series explores the lives of two iconic geniuses: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

Setting the series apart from other retellings, “Genius: MLK/X” simultaneously explores 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.

Check out the trailer below:

This new series has been produced by 20th Television, along with Imagine Television.  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 the 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.

Two episodes will premiere weekly, beginning on February 1st 2024, on National Geographic at 9/8c, and they will be available to stream the next day on both Disney+ and Hulu. The first episode of the new season, “Graduation,” will also be simulcast on ABC on February 1st 2024, at 9/8c to try to increase awareness of the show.

Disney has confirmed to me that the series will also premiere on the National Geographic channel in the UK on 3rd February at 9pm with a double bill.  So, we should expect it to be available on Disney+ at a later date since the previous three seasons are available internationally on Disney+.

Currently, the three previous seasons aren’t available to stream in the United States but are available to purchase digitally.

Are you looking forward to watching “Genius: MLK/X”?  Let us know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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