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

Fresh off an acclaimed performance as the Chevalier de Saint-Georges in “Chevalier,” Kelvin Harrison Jr. takes on the mantle of another historic figure, Martin Luther King Jr., in the new season of “Genius.” But unlike past installments of this National Geographic anthology series which have focused on Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso and Aretha Franklin, this season centers on King and Malcolm X, played by Aaron Pierre. Watch the official trailer for “Genius: MLK/X” above; the first episodes air on February 1.

The trailer begins by showing the only time King and Malcolm X ever met, which took place in 1964 in Washington, D.C.. The eight-episode season follows the two icons from their adolescence through to their assassinations, drawing out the parallels in their journeys as they both “fight against oppression.” The show will shine a spotlight not only on their public struggles and triumphs, but also their family lives and the major historical moments that they shaped, such as the March on Washington. BAFTA nominee Weruche Opia plays King’s wife Coretta Scott, and Jayme Lawson plays Malcolm X’s wife Betty Shabazz. The trailer also features a glimpse of the late, Emmy-winning actor Ron Cephas Jones as the religious leader Elijah Muhammad.

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The “Genius” anthology has been nominated for 21 Emmy Awards over its first three seasons, including recognition for all three of its lead performers: Geoffrey Rush as Einstein, Antonio Banderas as Picasso and Cynthia Erivo as Franklin. Its Einstein and Picasso years were nominated for Best Limited Series, and Ron Howard earned a nomination for his direction in the first season. “Genius: MLK/X” is executive produced by Gina Prince-Bythewood, best known for directing “The Woman King,” and her husband Reggie Rock Bythewood, as well as Raphael Jackson Jr. and Damione Macedon.

The first two episodes “Genius: MLK/X” premiere on February 1 on NatGeo, with two episodes airing each week through February. 22. The series streams next day on both Disney+ and Hulu.

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