National Geographic And Double Oscar® Nominee Cynthia Erivo Reveal Highly Anticipated Series Genius: Aretha

The Limited Series Stars Erivo as theQueen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, and Courtney B Vance as CL Franklin is Airing Nowto MENA audiences at 9:00 PM UAE time/8:00 KSA time on National Geographic Channel.

Ron Howard and Brian Grazer Serve as Executive Producers

National Geographic and Double Oscar Nominee Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet,” “The Color Purple”) announced thehighly anticipated premiere of GENIUS: ARETHA series. Celebrating Aretha Franklin’s birthday, the series is airing now at 9:00 PM UAE/ 8:00 PM KSA on National Geographic Channel.

The latest in the multiple Emmy award-winning anthology series, GENIUS: ARETHAis the first-ever, definitive and only authorized scripted series on the life of the universally acclaimed Queen of Soul. It 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. Franklin was a gospel prodigy, an outspoken civil rights champion and widely considered the greatest singer of the past 50 years, receiving countless honors throughout her career.

Without knowing how to read music, Franklin taught herself to play the piano; at the young age of 12, she began to record songs and sing on gospel tours with her father. She signed her first record deal at age 18 with Columbia Records. In 1966, she moved to Atlantic Records, where she recorded many of her most iconic songs. In 1979, she began a 40-year friendship and partnership with Clive Davis, which produced a number of hit songs, including the highest charting and bestselling song of her career, “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” a duet with George Michael. The legendary singer is one of the world’s bestselling musical artists of all time, with more than 75 million records sold globally during her career. Her voice was identified as a “natural resource” by her home state of Michigan.

The star-studded cast includes triple threat Tony®-, Emmy®– and GRAMMY® Award-winning Erivo as Aretha Franklin who will be performing many songs from Franklin’s rich catalogue; the Emmy-winning Courtney B Vance (“The People V. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story”) as Aretha’s father, CL Franklin; Malcolm Barrett (“Timeless,” “Preacher”) as Ted White, Franklin’s first husband and business manager; David Cross (“Mr. Show,” “Arrested Development”) as legendary music producer Jerry Wexler, who guided Franklin as she developed into a confident singer and commercial success; Patrice Covington (“The Color Purple”, “Ain’tMisbehavin’”) and Rebecca Naomi Jones (“Oklahoma!,” “The Big Sick”) portray Erma and Carolyn Franklin, respectively, as Aretha’s sisters and frequent background singers, who supported and collaborated with their famous sibling; Steven Norfleet (“Watchmen,” “Dynasty”) as older brother Cecil Franklin, who stepped in as Aretha’s manager following her divorce from Ted White; veteran actress Pauletta Washington (“Beloved,” “She’s Gotta Have It”) as Aretha’s nurturing and loving paternal grandmother, Rachel; Omar J. Dorsey (“Queen Sugar”) as James Cleveland; Marque Richardson (“Dear White People”) as King Curtis, Kimberly Hébert Gregory (“Vice Principals”) as Ruth Bowen; and introducing Shaian Jordan as young Aretha Franklin, aka Little Re.

The series features many of Franklin’s biggest recordings and hit songs. It is produced by 20th Television and Imagine Entertainment with Brian Grazer and Ron Howard as executive producers along with legendary hit record-Producer Clive Davis and Atlantic Records Chairman and CEO Craig Kallman.