Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X 'Keep 'em Guessing' in Sweeping First Trailer for Latest Season of Genius

Two of the Civil Rights Movement's most important figures' fight for equality collide on Genius: MLK/X.

In the latest installment of National Geographic's Genius series, returning in February timed to Black History Month, the network states that viewers will see "the formative years, pioneering accomplishments, dueling philosophies and key personal relationships of both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X (Aaron Pierre)" explored. The eight-part series will also see the two historical figures' wives, Coretta Scott King (Weruche Opia) and Betty Shabazz (Jayme Lawson), come to the forefront as "formidable equals of the Movement."

The newly-released trailer opens with the first and only meeting between Martin and Malcolm, occurring at a 1964 Senate debate in Washington, D.C. But it soon depicts the pair's differing beliefs, with Malcolm suggesting they must "fight against oppression by any means necessary" while Martin prefers to take a nonviolent approach in his activism.

"Brothers and sisters," Malcolm asks a large group, "are you ready?"

"We must be a little daring," declares Martin, while speaking with a separate group. "We can change the course of history."

As the fight for equality rages on, Martin's wife Coretta warns: "Be careful, evil looms over everything."

As various scenes of unrest are displayed, the trailer wraps by returning to the single meeting Martin and Malcolm had.

"Who do you think this is going to hurt more, you or me?" Malcolm asks as Martin responds, "I imagine it's unlikely to hate either one of us."

"Well, then, let's keep them guessing," adds Malcolm as Martin concludes, "Amen."

The arrival of Genius: MLK/X marks the fourth installment in National Geographic's anthology, docu-drama series. Debuting in 2017 with Geoffrey Rush as German-born theoretical physicist Albert Einstein, the show has since followed the lives of Spanish artist Pablo Picasso (Antonio Banderas) in season 2 and legendary "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin (Cynthia Erivo) in season 3.

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Genius: MLK/X premieres Feb. 1 on National Geographic and streams Feb. 2 on Disney+ and Hulu, The pilot episode will simulcast on ABC on Feb. 1 at 9 p.m. ET.