Nat Geo Greenlights First Scripted Series

National Geographic Channel will jump into the scripted waters with a straight to series order for anthology series Genius.

The network will team with Fox 21 Television Studios and Imagine Television on the project, which will dramatize the stories of the world’s most brilliant innovators, said network officials.

The first season will focus on Albert Einstein, based on Walter Isaacson’s book Einstein: His Life and Universe. Actor/producer Ron Howard will direct the first episode of the series, which will debut on the channel next spring.

Howard and Imagine Entertainment are also working with Nat Geo on another scripted miniseries Mars, which revolves around the colonization of the Red Planet. 

“Genius is perfectly emblematic of our vision to create premium, distinctive and highly entertaining content that fits the National Geographic brand,” said National Geographic Channels CEO Courteney Monroe in a statement. "We are thrilled to be partnering with the exceptional teams at FOX 21 TVS, Imagine Television and OddLot to tell rich, provocative and powerful stories that celebrate human ingenuity.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.