National Geographic Channel will jump into the scripted waters with a straight to series order for anthology series Genius.
The network will team with Fox 21 Television Studios and Imagine Television on the project, which will dramatize the stories of the world’s most brilliant innovators, said network officials.
The first season will focus on Albert Einstein, based on Walter Isaacson’s book Einstein: His Life and Universe. Actor/producer Ron Howard will direct the first episode of the series, which will debut on the channel next spring.
Howard and Imagine Entertainment are also working with Nat Geo on another scripted miniseries Mars, which revolves around the colonization of the Red Planet.
“Genius is perfectly emblematic of our vision to create premium, distinctive and highly entertaining content that fits the National Geographic brand,” said National Geographic Channels CEO Courteney Monroe in a statement. "We are thrilled to be partnering with the exceptional teams at FOX 21 TVS, Imagine Television and OddLot to tell rich, provocative and powerful stories that celebrate human ingenuity.”
