Season 3 of 'Genius' to be Devoted to Music Icon, Aretha Franklin

Image from CNN

By Darian Scalamoni

            There is so much television nowadays that it’s almost impossible to keep up. I fall into this category of trying my best to watch anything and everything I’m interested in but again, it’s very difficult with most networks and streaming services trying to get into the scripted series arena. National Geographic did so just a few years ago with their anthology series, Genius. The first two seasons were based around Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso but now we’re getting a look inside the life of a female genius. According to Deadline, Aretha Franklin will be the subject of the upcoming third season of Genius.

            The Queen of Soul passed away this past August at the age of 76 and it was producer Brian Grazer who has pushed for her to be the focus of season three of the anthology series. Just months ago, it was announced in April with the renewal of the show that author, Mary Shelley was to be the subject, but Grazer spearheaded the talk of Franklin to Nat Geo and now plans are full steam ahead.

            I think this is a spectacular idea and of course timely, since Franklin had just passed recently so she’s been on everyone’s mind for the music icon that she was for decades. Grazer’s production company has done multiple music projects over the years including the award-winning documentary, The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years along with feature film, Get on Up following the success of James Brown.

            Franklin has an incredible life story that is made-to-order when it comes to an anthology series such as this one. She faced tons of adversity but also success whose career spanned more than half a century. I was a huge fan of season one which starred Geoffrey Rush as Einstein and though I did not watch season two, I have heard plenty of great things about that as well. Now, we await the casting news of who should play Aretha with R-E-S-P-E-C-T. My vote is either Queen Latifah or Jennifer Hudson who both have terrific musical backgrounds as well as the acting chops.