National Geographic has today announced the premiere date for the upcoming limited series Genius: Aretha - the third installment in the Genius series on the cable channel.
The new season will air across four consecutive nights in two hour blocks - starting on Sunday, March 21 at 9/8c. and ending on Wednesday, March 24 at 9/8c. All 8 episodes will be available to stream on Hulu on Thursday, March 25.
The new 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.
The cast will feature Cynthia Erivo, Courtney B. Vance, Shaian Jordan, Malcolm Barrett, Patrice Covington, Kimberly Hébert Gregory, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Marque Richardson, Pauletta Washington, Steven Norfleet and Omar J. Dorsey.
Suzan-Lori Parks serves as showrunner for the new season, with Anthony Hemingway directing. They executive produce with Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Francie Calfo, Clive Davis, Craig Kallman, Jeff Cooney, Sam Sokolow, Gigi Pritzker and Rachel Shane. Fox 21 Television Studios and Imagine Television produce.