‘Genius: Aretha’, the award-winning anthology series, will premiere in the UK on Friday 4th June 2021 on Disney+.
Starring Cynthia Erivo (‘Harriet’) as music legend Aretha Franklin, ‘Genius: Aretha’ will explore Aretha Franklinās 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 honours throughout her career.Ā
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 worldās bestselling musical artists of all time, with more than 75 million records sold globally during her career. Her voice was identified as a ānatural resourceā by her home state of Michigan.
The cast includes Courtney B VanceĀ (‘The People V. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story’) as Arethaās father, CL Franklin;Ā Malcolm BarrettĀ (‘Timeless,’) as Ted White, Franklinās first husband and business manager;Ā David CrossĀ (‘Mr. Show,’) as legendary music producer Jerry Wexler, who guided Franklin as she developed into a confident singer and commercial success;Ā Patrice CovingtonĀ (‘The Color Purple’) andĀ Rebecca Naomi JonesĀ (‘Oklahoma!’) portray Erma and Carolyn Franklin, respectively, as Arethaās sisters and frequent background singers, who supported and collaborated with their famous sibling;Ā Steven NorfleetĀ (‘Watchmen’) as older brother Cecil Franklin, who stepped in as Arethaās manager following her divorce from Ted White; veteran actressĀ Pauletta WashingtonĀ (‘Beloved’) as Arethaās nurturing and loving paternal grandmother, Rachel;Ā Omar J. DorseyĀ (‘Queen Sugar’) as James Cleveland;Ā Marque RichardsonĀ (‘Dear White People’) as King Curtis,Ā Kimberly HĆ©bert GregoryĀ (‘Vice Principals’) as Ruth Bowen; and introducingĀ Shaian JordanĀ as young Aretha Franklin, aka Little Re.
The series features many of Franklinās biggest recordings and hit songs from the comprehensive Warner Music catalogue, including ‘I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You),’ ‘Chain of Fools,’ ‘Donāt Play That Song’ and ‘Save Me.’ The series also features Franklinās performances of ‘I Knew You Were Waiting for Me,’ ‘Freeway of Love’ and ‘Sisters Are Doinā It for Themselves.’