MLK Jr. and Malcolm X As Focus Of Disney+ ‘Genius’ Series

National Geographic has announced that season four of the anthology series ‘Genius’  will center around Martin Luther King, Jr and Malcolm X. 

By Brooks Welch

National Geographic has announced that season four of the anthology series ‘Genius’  will center around Martin Luther King, Jr and Malcolm X.

According to Deadline, ‘Genius: MLK/X’ will explore the formative years, pioneering accomplishments, dueling philosophies and key personal relationships of the pair. While King advanced racial equality through nonviolent protest, Malcolm X argued forcefully for Black empowerment, identity and self-determination.


With their formidable wives, Coretta Scott King and Betty Shabazz, by their sides, King and Malcolm X became synonymous with the civil rights era and the fight for racial and economic justice. While they met only once and often challenged each other’s views, neither would have been as successful without the other.

The series show runners are Raphael Jackson and Damione Macedon (Starz’s ‘Power’). Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince-Bythewood (‘Love & Basketball’) have joined as executive producers, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

“Malcolm and Martin are staggering icons, and we have been eager to explore the genius of these two very real men in a way that has not yet been seen,” said the Bythewoods in a statement. “We are excited to team up with Imagine Entertainment and 20th Television to reflect their amazing lives and contributions to civil rights and the urgency of today.”