Nat Geo confirms Aretha as next Genius

National Geographic has confirmed announced details for its third season of Genius, to centre around singer Aretha Franklin -the first-ever, definitive scripted miniseries on the life of the Queen of Soul.

Previous seasons have portrayed the life of Albert Einstein (Geoffrey Rush) and Pablo Picasso (Antonio Banderas).

The production will feature many of Franklin’s biggest hits including “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You),” “Chain of Fools,” “Don’t Play That Song,” “Since You’ve Been Gone” and “Baby I Love You.” In addition, the series will feature Franklin’s performances of “I Knew You Were Waiting for Me,” “Freeway of Love” and “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves.”

Suzan-Lori Parks, Pulitzer Prize award-winning playwright of Topdog/Underdog, will be executive producer and showrunner.

Legendary record producer Clive Davis and Atlantic Records Chairman and CEO Craig Kallman have also joined as executive producers.

Imagine Entertainment has partnered with Warner Music Group for this third season, which will again be executive produced by Imagine’s Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Francie Calfo.

“Aretha Franklin had the ability to empower generations through her iconic music, and I am excited to finally be able to tell her story, a career passion of mine. All through her life she used her voice to elevate people and the causes she believed in, especially the women’s and civil rights movements,” said Grazer.

“You can hear the hopes and sorrows of a divided nation in her soulful voice, penetrating and motivating people at their core in a deeply emotional way. She cut through the pain of Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination to help heal and unite America with her music and, in the process, ushered in the post-gospel era of rhythm and blues. We are so grateful she shared her genius with the world.”

“Aretha and I shared a 40-year friendship, ever since she cooked me dinner to talk about working together to reinvigorate her career,” said Davis. “I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to collaborate with her and her incredible instrument. She was a gift to the world, one that will last for many generations. I am thrilled to be celebrating her genius with Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Imagine.”

Filming will commence later this year with a 2020 screening.