By Ron Wynn
NASHVILLE, TN — It’s hard to imagine a more challenging feat than portraying Civil Rights icons and legends Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X. But that’s precisely the task that’s been undertaken by the duo of Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Aaron Pierre respectively. They have these roles in the current National Geographic miniseries “Genius: MLK/X.” The final two episodes in the eight-part series air Thursday night on National Geographic, then stream Friday on Hulu and Disney+.
Both actors said they realized comparisons would be made between them and such past performances as Denzel Washington, who portrayed Malcolm X in the eponymous 1992 film that earned him an Oscar nomination, Samuel L. Jackson who starred as King in Katori Hall’s Broadway production of “The Mountaintop” and James Earl Jones’s portrayal in the miniseries “Freedom to Speak.” Thus far each has proven up to the task, at least according to the mostly favorable reviews the series has received from critics. it hasn’t been exactly a ratings bonanza, but it’s gotten the National Geographic channel some much needed positive attention.
“MLK/X” is the fourth season of “Genius,” a biographical anthology series that has focused on Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso and Aretha Franklin in previous installments. Co-starring as King’s wife, Coretta Scott King, is Weruche Opia (HBO’s “I May Destroy You”), and Jayme Lawson (“Till”) plays Betty Shabazz, the wife of Malcolm X. The executive producing team includes Gina Prince-Bythewood, Reggie Rock Bythewood, Brian Grazer and Ron Howard.
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