‘Genius: MLK/X’ turns light on Civil Rights icons

National Geographic executives approached Gina Prince-Bythewood and Reggie Rock Bythewood to make the next offering in the company’s “Genius” franchise. They wanted the pair to produce the story of Martin Luther King, Jr.

They said the only way they would do the project would be if they included Malcolm X. That resulted in “Genius: MLK/X,” starring Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Aaron Pierre as the two Civil Rights icons. It debuts Feb. 1 on National Geographic and then will be available the next day on the streaming services of Disney+ and Hulu.

Their stand to make sure the project focused on both men opened up the idea that behind every great man is a great woman. The production also tells the story of the women behind the Civil Rights leaders – Coretta Scott King (Weruche Opia) and Betty Shabazz (Jayme Lawson).

“Genius: MLK/X” does more than focus on the peak of the Civil Rights movement but looks at both men starting with their childhood. It offers insight into how their families played a major role in shaping who both men became. With their formidable wives leading by their sides, the series shows how King and X were two visionaries who ultimately rose to pioneer a movement.

Opia and Lawson are not that different from other actors who need to be working either to feed their family or their creative soul. There are times when a role does that and much more as the pair found with this production that gave them a chance to play roles that also touched them deeply.

Lawson says, “You try to find as many of those roles as you possibly can. I think I have been fortunate enough to have had a lot of those.”

Before working on “Genius: MLK/X,” Lawson played a young Michelle Obama in “The First Lady” and was in “The Woman King” but is best known for her role as mayoral candidate Bella Reál in “The Batman.” One of her most recent projects had her playing Myrlie Evers in the feature film “Till.”

She was drawn to playing Betty Shabazz because it fit perfectly with the kind of work she has been doing. Lawson is always looking for roles where she can show the complexity and agency of women – particularly Black women.

There is a very specific audience Lawson wants to please with her work selection. That includes her mother, sister, great grandmother and niece.

“That’s my core audience,” Lawson says. “I look for women where I can fully give back or restore certain dimensions that they have had taken away from them. And, I don’t always have to play a character that people like.”

At the same time, Lawson and Opia faced the situation where they had to play roles based on very real people. Media coverage of Coretta and Betty was extensive enough that the public has a clear image of the two women.

Taking on a role based on a real person is a new experience for Opia. The credits for British-Nigerian actress and entrepreneur include “When Love Happens Again,” “Bad Education” and “Black Mirror.” She also is the founder of the clothing line Jesus Junkie Clothing.

Opia found the role in “MLK/X” to be very different from all her past work starting with how much information she could find regarding Coretta. She approached playing the role with a deep amount of respect and reverence for her.

“There is enough factual information that you can’t dispute anything about Coretta in this instance,” Opia says. “A lot of other characters I have played have been fictional, so I was able to give them anything I wanted.

“With this case, there was a lot of trepidation, anxiety, fear because there is so much to live up to. These are huge boots to fill. But at the end of the day, I am not Corretta. I can not be her. I can only show my interpretation.”

Opia calls it a privilege to have been given the opportunity to take on the role.

The series deals with the hatred and ignorance that those working for Civil Rights had to face. Opia is certain that “MLK/X” shows how far we have come and how far we have left to go.

“I want us to recognize the dedication and work that has been put in to give us the life we have now,” Opia says. “So, for me it shows how much work has been done and how much work left to be done.

“It’s a cry to keep pushing and fighting for justice.” Two episodes of “Genius: MLK/X” will premiere weekly beginning 9 p.m. Feb. 1 on National Geographic and on ABC. Those episodes  will stream the next day on both Disney+ and Hulu.

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