‘Genius: MLK/X’ review round-up: Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Aaron Pierre give ‘unbelievable performances’ in NatGeo limited series

On February 1, 2024, National Geographic premiered the fourth season of “Genius,” which centers on two icons of the civil rights movement: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X. “Genius: MLK/X” stars Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Aaron Pierre in the titular roles, with a supporting cast that includes Weruche Opia, Jayme Lawson, Jalyn Hall and the late Ron Cephas Jones. 

The limited series puts an intense focus on the formative years of Martin and Malcolm, showing how their experiences and relationships as young children and teens shaped and influenced the iconic figures they would become. Malcolm’s release from prison and Martin’s graduation from Boston University begin their respective journeys that will one day change the nation, but also begin a budding rivalry.

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Executive produced by Reggie Rock Bythewood, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, the pilot episode is written by playwright Jeff Stetson (“The Meeting”) and directed by Channing Godfrey Peoples. Early reviews have earned the series an 80% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Read our full review round-up below.

SEE ‘Genius: MLK/X’ trailer: Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Aaron Pierre team up to ‘fight against oppression’ [WATCH]

Ronda Racha Penrice of The Wrap praises the series, stating, “Flipping conventional tendencies to pit Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X against each other, ‘Genius: MLK/X’ explores the many parallels in both their personal lives and activist callings.” Continuing, “Harrison and Pierre give unbelievable performances. Even when they falter in parts, their overall portrayals show so much commitment to get it right that it’s easy to overlook or forgive. Clearly, Harrison has studied every King mannerism and breath. But he is under the least pressure. Pierre, who must follow Denzel Washington’s mic-drop Oscar-nominated performance in Spike Lee’s classic ‘Malcolm X’ back in 1992, has no such luxury. While it is impossible to top Denzel, to his credit, the [UK] actor projects Malcolm’s great dignity and commanding presence, lending credibility to the role.”

Aramide Tinubu of Variety says, “The Civil Rights Movement and its leaders have often been presented as relics of the past: They’ve become untouchable figures reduced to photographs, videos and speeches. However, in National Geographic‘s outstanding ‘Genius: MLK/X,’ icons and activists Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X (Aaron Pierre) are portrayed as more than historical pillars. Instead, the men are highlighted in their full and colorful humanity as revolutionaries, fathers and husbands with extraordinary but differing visions that would change the course of history. ‘MLK/X’ showcases not just the parallel lives of these men but of their wives – Coretta Scott King (Weruche Opia) and Betty Shabazz (Jayme Lawson), freedom fighters who sacrificed so much so that our country, despite its many ills, might heal some of the rot.”

SEE ‘Genius: MLK/X’ Los Angeles premiere: In-depth panel discussion with cast and crew of National Geographic limited series [Transcript]

Leila Latif of The Daily Beast notes, “The dialogue and performances are perpetually cranked to 10, Martin and Malcolm on a near-permanent pulpit, delivering pithy wisdom in deep baritones and between pregnant pauses.” Adding, “What is refreshing is the space afforded to Betty Shabazz (Jayme Lawson) and Coretta King (Weruche Opia), too often cast as glamorous assistants in the cultural imagination. The two actresses afford their characters complexity and fortitude. ‘The world is not going to make it easy for you to go beyond what you think you should be,’ Coretta’s mother tells her. But in 2024, in a TV series produced by Gina Prince-Bythewood, it’s now possible to view these women as more than grieving widows.”

Rendy Jones of RogerEbert.com was less impressed, stating, “’MLK/X’ plays a game of hot potato, constantly throwing back and forth every highlight moment from the King and X’s lives from youth to adulthood. MLK and Malcolm X are far too significant to combine into a single mini-series format.” Concluding, “The instances in which Pierre and Harrison Jr. overcome their plights are not in protest organization meetings or on a podium making speeches, but when the focus is on the inner lives they led with their spouses. ‘MLK/X’ offers a refreshing perspective by illuminating the love King had with Coretta Scott King (Weruche Opia) and X did with Betty Shabazz (Jayme Lawson). The two figures’ romantic, joyous sides, often overlooked in media, are the only unique angles the series provides.”

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