Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X's 'Dueling Philosophies' Spotlighted in NatGeo's “Genius”: First Look

In a first look at the National Geographic anthology series' upcoming season, titled 'Genius: MLK/X', the work of two iconic civil rights leaders comes to the forefront

More than 50 years later, it's still difficult to underscore how important the civil rights movement was to ending racial discrimination, thanks largely to the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

The iconic civil rights leaders' "dueling philosophies" are at the heart of the latest installment of National Geographic's eight-part anthology series Genius: MLK/X, premiering Feb. 1. The cast includes Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Aaron Pierre as Malcolm X, Weruche Opia as Coretta Scott King and Jayme Lawson as Betty Shabazz.

The first teaser offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Emmy Award-winning show's new season.

"I don't think you can understand who Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was and his legacy without understanding the legacy of Malcolm X," Peniel E. Joseph explains as the camera cuts to brief moments of Harrison Jr. and Pierre playing the two civil rights leaders.

"It's interesting to see them side-by-side, but in different places," says Opia.

"They had the same objectives. They had the same goals," explains Pierre.

"Their approach is just a little different," adds Lawson. "They're just reaching people that the other missed."

As brief snippets flash of King and Malcolm X sharing a kiss with their wives, the teaser cuts to police officers beating and arresting Black Americans on the street. "There's a preconception they were both against each other," Opia continues.

"Over time, they really become people who influenced the other," Joseph says, as King and Malcolm X stroll through similarly staged moments.

"It's as though they're speaking to each other throughout history," Lawson concludes.

The two finally meet in the teaser's climactic scene, warmly shaking hands before the show's title dramatically appears.

Genius: MLK/X follows King and Malcolm X during their formative years through their time amid the civil rights movements, exploring "untapped moments in their lives as husbands, fathers, brothers and sons," according to a press release. The anthology series will also delve into Scott King and Shabazz, showing them as "formidable equals of the Movement."

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The first two episodes of GENIUS: MLK/X premiere Feb. 1 on National Geographic and can be streamed the next day on Disney+ and Hulu, with two new episodes debuting weekly on all platforms.

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