National Geographic’s “Genius” Anthology Series to Profile Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X at the U.S. Capitol on March 26, 1964 (LIBRARY OF CONGRESS/MARION S. TRIKOSKOR/NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CONTENT/DISNEY BRANDED TELEVISION)

Genius, the Disney+ anthology series from National Geographic, is making some changes to its fourth season.

For the first time, the series will profile two historical figures: In addition to civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the fourth season will also focus on Malcolm X. The series from Imagine Television and 20th TV has also tapped Raphael Jackson and Damione Macedon (Starz’s Power) as showrunners, and Reggie Rock Bythewood and Gina Prince-Bythewood have joined as executive producers.

King was announced as the subject of season four in December 2020, when Disney also said Genius would move to Disney+ after originating on Nat Geo’s cable channel for its first three seasons. Season four will carry the title Genius: MLK/X and, per the show’s logline, “explore the formative years, pioneering accomplishments, dueling philosophies and key personal relationships of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.”