The undeniable Cynthia Erivo will play Queen of Soul and legend Aretha Franklin in National Geographic’s anthology series Genius: Aretha. The series will start production this year in November and will premiere in Spring 2020.
Erivo says Aretha Franklin has always been a source of inspiration. “What I know and have learned about what my voice, as an artist, can do and the power in it has been highly influenced by Franklin, I feel privileged and excited to be a part of the sharing of her genius,” said the Grammy winner.
“Her strength, passion and soul are evident in her everlasting legacy, not only as a transcendent artist, but as a humanitarian and civil rights icon,” Erivo continued. “To have the opportunity to bring her legacy to life and show the fullness of her being, her humanity and brilliance, is an honor.”
Aretha Franklin first garnered success in music as a lead singer at her father’s church, New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, MI. Later, she would transition into secular music making classic hits such as, “Respect”, “Chain Of Fools”, “I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)”, to name a few. Franklin would go on to make one of the most impactful gospel albums of our time, Amazing Grace.
The soulful singer had 112 hits on the Billboard charts, which included 20 No. 1 R&B singles, 17 Top 10 pop singles, 100 R&B entries and 77 Hot 100 entries. She also was the first female entertainer to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Franklin passed away in August 2018.
Erivo is a triple threat, winning a Daytime Emmy, Tony and Grammy. Erivo is best known for her riveting performance in the Broadway version of The Color Purple and film Bad Times At The El Royale. Her schedule is busy, too. She has a role in HBO’s The Outsider and will play Harriet Tubman in Kasi Lemmons’ Harriet.
The Imagine Television and Fox 21 TV Studios production will be executive produced by Brian Grazer, France Calfo and Ron Howard. In addition, record executives Clive Davis, Craig Kallman and Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks will serve as executive producers on the project.
This is very entertaining