'Genius: MLK/X' Explores Lives of Civil Rights Icons

Despite Strong Performances, Series Criticized for Lack of Fresh Perspective

National Geographic's anthology series 'Genius' has launched its fourth installment, 'Genius: MLK/X', which explores the parallel lives of civil rights leaders Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.
The series, based on Jeff Stetson’s play 'The Meeting' and Peniel E. Joseph’s book 'The Sword and the Shield', also highlights the significant roles of their wives, Coretta Scott King and Betty Shabazz.
Despite strong performances from leads Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Aaron Pierre, some critics have found the series to be bland and disorganized, failing to offer a fresh perspective on the well-known stories of King and Malcolm X.
The series has been praised for its technical aspects, including production design, costuming, and makeup, but criticized for its sporadic use of anachronistic modern music.
'Genius: MLK/X' premieres on National Geographic on February 1, with new episodes airing each week, and will also be available for streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.