| FYC

SYNOPSIS

GENIUS is the Emmy-winning anthology series that dramatizes the fascinating stories of the world’s most brilliant innovators, their extraordinary achievements and with their volatile, passionate and complex personal relationships. This season explores 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. Grammy Award winner Franklin was a gospel prodigy, an outspoken civil rights champion and widely considered to be the greatest singer of the past 50 years, receiving countless honors throughout her career. Franklin is portrayed by the triple threat Tony-, Emmy- and Grammy Award-winning Cynthia Erivo (“Harriet, “The Color Purple”) and Emmy-winning Courtney B. Vance plays Aretha’s father, C.L. Franklin. 

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

"Thanks to Erivo’s incandescent performance and its insight into Franklin’s process, it socks it to us"

THE NEW YORK TIMES

"A powerhouse showcase for a powerhouse performance"

THE NEW YORKER

"Erivo practically becomes Aretha before our eyes"

ROLLING STONE

"Erivo’s quiet strength erupts into passionate fire when she’s on stage"

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

"Crackling performances from Erivo, Vance and the actress who plays young Aretha, Shaian Jordan"

NPR

"The show’s musical elements dazzle...the visual details, from exquisite costumes to sets that precisely capture their respective places and times, are equally virtuosic."

TIME

"The new bio series delivers soaring musical numbers & killer costumes worth tuning in for"

SALON

"The story resonates with current social concerns and conversations"

THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

"Cynthia Erivo is coming for that Emmy with her show-stopping turn in ‘Genius: Aretha’"

GOLD DERBY

"Rather than biopic, ‘Aretha’ is part performance, part spectacle, part celebration."

NEWSDAY

"From the looks of things, you can probably start penciling in Erivo and some craft nominations now"

GOLD DERBY

"She truly seems to become Franklin towards the end of the episode as she lifts her voice to sing,’Something He Can Feel.’ The tone, lighting, framing, and even details of her hair and nails are reminiscent of the real Franklin."

THE ATLANTA VOICE

"A galvanizing performance by Vance"

DETROIT FREE PRESS

"Cynthia Erivo is spellbinding"

VOGUE

"Cynthia Erivo shines"

THE PLAYLIST

"Erivo is phenomenal"

PASTE

"Erivo and Vance make for a powerhouse duo"

THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER

"Shaian Jordan, who plays Franklin as a girl (dubbed “Little Re”) deserves just as much star power as Erivo herself."

PASTE

"Shaian Jordan...truly sparkles"

ROLLING STONE

"Much credit goes to the brilliant casting of Cynthia Erivo"

TV GUIDE

"I have never seen and heard a TV production capture an artist’s sound or use music more movingly than ‘Genius: Aretha’"

BALTIMORE SUN

"The acting is outstanding"

BALTIMORE SUN

"Genius gives the Queen of Soul the regal treatment she deserves"

TIME

CATEGORIES

Outstanding Limited Series or Anthology Series

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie - CYNTHIA ERIVO

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie - COURTNEY B. VANCE

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie - DAVID CROSS

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie - MALCOLM BARRETT

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie - SHAIAN JORDAN

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie - PATRICE COVINGTON

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie - REBECCA NAOMI JONES

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie - KIMBERLY HÉBERT GREGORY

Outstanding Writing for a LImited or Anthology Series or Movie - SUZAN-LORI PARKS

Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie - ANTHONY HEMINGWAY

Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie - KEVIN MCKNIGHT, ASC

Outstanding Period Costumes - JENNIFER BRYAN, STEPHEN OH, & PAULA RENEE

Outstanding Period and/or Character Make-Up (Non-Prosthetic) - MARIETTA CARTER-NARCISSE, CAROLINE MONGE, MILENE MELENDEZ, & TERRELL MULLIN

Outstanding Period and/or Character Hairstyling - LOUISA V ANTHONY, TRACEY MOSS, VICTOR J PAZ, & COREE MORENO

Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming - DONDRAICO JOHNSON

Outstanding Casting for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie - KIM COLEMAN

Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special

Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special

...and all other eligible categories