Disney+ - Genius Aretha : A great new season beginning

By Mulder, 12 march 2021

Cynthia Erivo embodies the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, in an inspiring four-part mini series Genius: Aretha. London-born, Academy Award Nominee and Grammy winner Erivo brings not only her vocal prowess to screen, but also a mighty spirit befitting Aretha. Premiering Sunday March 21st on NatGeo, the much anticipated mini-series will air as a four night event, focusing on the untold story of music legend and civil rights activist Aretha Franklin.

Produced by Academy Award Winners Brian Grazer and Ron Howard and written by Pulitzer Prize Winner Suzanne-Lori Parks, the creative team is unmistakably a powerhouse. Rounding out the cast, Emmy Winner Courtney B. Vance Co-Stars as Aretha’s father, a complex man known both as a preacher and a philanderer.

Genius: Aretha invites us into the world of an intensely private person, revealing for the first time the true story not only behind the legend but also the inspiration for her music. The first episode introduces us to Aretha as a preacher’s daughter, growing up in the supportive arms of the church, yet constricted by the racist and sexist time into which she was born. As her childhood gives way to early motherhood and a burgeoning career, Aretha finds herself in an abusive marriage.

While developing her unique musical style, she also discovers her own strength and begins to push for her independence--both artistically and personally. Teasers for episode two show her having a sit-down with Martin Luther King Jr. and pledging her desire to get involved in the civil rights movement.

Genius is an Emmy-Winning Anthology series; the first season premiered in 2017 and followed the life and innovations of Albert Einstein. National Geographic renewed it for a second season, airing in 2018, about the life and artistry of Pablo Picasso. A fourth season has been ordered and will center on the life of Martin Luther King Jr., set to air on Disney+

The series will feature many of Franklin’s biggest recordings and hit songs from the comprehensive Warner Music catalog, including “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You),” “Chain of Fools,” “Don’t Play That Song” and “Save Me.” 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.” Additionally, the third season of the acclaimed anthology series features a number of well-known personalities who crossed paths with Franklin, including Dinah Washington, King Curtis, Clara Ward, Art Tatum, Reverend James Cleveland, Sydney Pollack, Angela Davis, Martin Luther King Jr., Curtis Mayfield, and George Michael.

Genius: Aretha will be launching in the US in March and will be available on Hulu and in France on Disney + as a Star original in the upcoming months.

Synopsis :
Genius is an Emmy-winning anthology series that dramatizes the fascinating stories of the world's most brilliant innovators, exploring their extraordinary achievements along with their volatile, passionate and complex personal relationships. The third season will explore Aretha Franklin's musical genius and incomparable career, as well as the immeasurable impact and lasting influence she has had on music and culture around the world. Grammy Award winner Franklin was a gospel prodigy and outspoken civil rights champion; she is widely considered to be the greatest singer of the past 50 years, receiving countless honors throughout her career. Franklin will be portrayed by the triple threat Tony-, Emmy- and Grammy Award-winning Cynthia Erivo ("Harriet," "The Color Purple"); Emmy-winning Courtney B. Vance will play Aretha's father, C.L. Franklin. GENIUS: ARETHA will be the first-ever, definitive and only authorized scripted series on the life of the universally acclaimed Queen of Soul.

Genius : Aretha
Directed by Neema Barnette, Anthony Hemingway
Produced by Peter Afterman Ed Cathell
Written by Bethany McHugh, Natalie McKearin, Suzan-Lori Parks
Starring Cynthia Erivo, Malcolm Barrett, Patrice Covington, David Cross, Aubriana Davis, Omar J. Dorsey, Tina Fears, Kimberly Hebert Gregory, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Shaian Jordan, Antonique Smith, Courtney B. Vance, Sanai Victoria, Braelyn Rankins , Marque Richardson
Music by Terence Blanchard
Cinematography : Jesse M. Feldman, Kevin McKnight
Edited by Ryan Denmark, Vanessa Procopio, Ken Eluto, Agnes Grandits
Production companies :
Distributed by 20th Television (Seasons 1–2), Disney-ABC Domestic Television (Seasons 3–present)
Release date : March 21 2021 (National Geographic)
Running time : 43 – 62 minutes

Seen March 11 2021 (Virtual World Premiere)

Written by Nicole St john