Aaron Pierre (‘Genius: MLK/X’) on playing Malcolm X: ‘He has always been a hero of mine’ [Exclusive Video Interview]
“I entered this with the utmost respect,” says Aaron Pierre, who plays civil rights activist Malcolm X in National Geographic’s limited series “Genius: MLK/X.” “I entered it having done deep and extensive research, always wanting to serve this incredible leader, serve his legacy, serve his history, serve everything that he represented. For as long as I can remember, he has always been a hero of mine. He’s always been a hero in my household and many of the households of my friends and family members. So it was a great honor, and I’m very grateful to have had this privilege to portray him. Watch our video interview above.
The eight-episode drama chronicles the lives of civil rights pioneers Martin Luther King Jr. (played by Kelvin Harrison Jr.) and Malcolm X. It’s currently streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
Pierre says it was important for the series to show Malcolm X as more than a radical leader. “I’m deeply proud of this series for contributing to dispelling that misinformation, contributing to dispelling those false narratives about him,” he explains. “Malcolm is somebody who led with love, he led with light, and he was very passionate about equality and creating a better reality for his people and people who are mistreated and engaged with in a very particular way in this world.”
While reflecting on lessons he took away from the role, the actor says, “The time we’re waiting for is now. Malcolm wasn’t waiting for anyone else to do the thing. He was doing the thing then and there. And I think that’s what I take, to seize the moment, to seize now. That’s what I take from it.”
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