During the cable network's upfront presentation to advertisers this evening, National Geographic renewed its original anthology series Genius for a third season. In doing so, it also announced that the new subject will be Frankenstein author Mary Shelley.
The news comes just days before the anthology returns for its second season. The first season of the anthology centered on Albert Einstein played by Geoffrey Rush. It earned 10 nominations at the 2017 Emmy Awards. The second season centers on Pablo Picasso played by Antonio Banderas. No casting is set for the third season, but it's likely that the producers are looking for a talent of equal caliber to play Mary Shelley. Production will begin later this year.
Ken Biller will continue to serve as showrunner on the third season. He executive produces with Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Francie Calfo, Anna Culp, Gigi Pritzker, Rachel Shane, Sam Sokolow and Jeff Cooney. Fox 21 Television Studios, Imagine Television and MWM Studios produce.
"Mary Shelley's Frankenstein left an indelible mark on generations of imaginations," said Carolyn Bernstein, Executive Vice President of Global Development and Production, National Geographic Global Networks. "Equally inspiring is the story of Shelley's relentless innovation, coupled with her desire to live on her own unconventional terms despite immense societal and cultural obstacles. I can't wait for our talented team to bring her remarkable, relevant and timely story to life for season three of Genius and do justice to her literary legacy."
"Mary Shelley has inspired countless filmmakers with her tale of the wretch brought to life by science gone wrong, but very few have fully captured her insightful reflections on society in the myth she left behind," said Ron Howard. "Few know of her struggles due to gender inequalities, her additional writings, her influence on other historically significant individuals and society at large. Showcasing someone like Mary Shelley and her amazing intellect, compassion and fortitude is exactly what this series is for, and we are looking forward to continuing our successful partnership with National Geographic and Fox 21 Television Studios."
