Fresh off an acclaimed performance as the Chevalier de Saint-Georges in “Chevalier,” Kelvin Harrison Jr. takes on the mantle of another historic figure, Martin Luther King Jr., in the new season of “Genius.” But unlike past installments of this National Geographic anthology series which have focused on Albert Einstein, Pablo Picasso and Aretha Franklin, this season centers on King and Malcolm X, played by Aaron Pierre. Watch the official trailer for “Genius: MLK/X” above; the first episodes air on February 1.

The trailer begins by showing the only time King and Malcolm X ever met, which took place in 1964 in Washington, D.C.. The eight-episode season follows the two icons from their adolescence through to their assassinations, drawing out the parallels in their journeys as they both “fight against oppression.” The show will shine a spotlight not only on their public struggles and triumphs, but also their family lives and...