National Geographic (DStv 181 / StarSat 220 / Cell C black 261) has renewed its Genius documentary drama series for a third season featuring its first female subject in the form of Frankenstein author, Mary Shelley.
After two seasons of featuring men - Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso - National Geographic started getting flack over its lack of female presentation and decided on a woman with a story of struggling against gender inequality.
No casting has yet been done for the third Genius season that will be broadcast on National Geographic in 2019.
"Mary Shelley's Frankenstein left an indelible mark on generations of imaginations," says Carolyn Bernstein, the executive vice president, global development and production for National Geographic Global Networks in a statement.
"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."
Frankenstein was first published in 1818 and tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a sentient creature with a monstrous appearance.
Mary Shelley masterfully invented the science fiction/horror genre with her tale of a creature brought to life, and subsequently went on to create the post-apocalyptic science fiction genre with her later novel, The Last Man.
"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," says Ron Howard, Genius executive producer.
"Few know of her struggles due to gender inequities, 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."
Bert Salke, president of Fox 21 says "The choice of Mary Shelley as the subject of our third season speaks to the incredible depth of the franchise. How fitting at this moment in time to pivot to one of the many female geniuses in human history, and Mary's story is both stranger than fiction and incredibly dramatic. We can't wait to get started."
