Genius, Seasons 1-2

As anti-Semitism reaches a fever pitch in 1930s Germany, famed physicist Albert Einstein (Geoffrey Rush) wrestles with the decision to seek refuge in America with his second wife, Elsa (Emily Watson), or to stay in solidarity with fellow Jewish academics. The struggle evokes memories of his first days as a headstrong student at Zurich Polytechnic when he met the first love of his life, Mileva Maric.

After butting heads with Mileva Maric (Samantha Colley), the only girl in his class at Zurich Polytechnic, Albert Einstein (Johnny Flynn) falls in love with this determined fellow student. While the passionate affair fans the flames of their mutual curiosity and love of science, their reckless abandon doesn’t go unnoticed by Einstein’s strict physics teacher, Professor Weber.

Recent university graduate Albert Einstein (Johnny Flynn) struggles to make ends meet while trying to land an academic post in a scientific world rigid with tradition and protocol. After finally securing various tutoring jobs, he moves one step closer to being able to provide for his pregnant wife, Mileva (Samantha Colley), when tragedy strikes.

While working a day job at the Bern patent office, Albert Einstein (Johnny Flynn) burns the candle at both ends supported by his new wife, Mileva (Samantha Colley), fueling four papers, among them the theory of special relativity, in what will historically be considered his “miracle year.” One of the papers catches the attention of notable theoretical physicist Max Planck.

With new teaching duties, Albert Einstein (Johnny Flynn) finally begins to experience the academic life he long coveted as he develops his theory of general relativity. Enjoying his first taste of acclaim among the most renowned scientific minds of Europe, Einstein falters in his familial responsibilities. His only relief comes from a visit to extended family, where he is introduced to his cousin Elsa.

After moving his family to Berlin for work, and to be closer to his new love Elsa (Emily Watson), Albert Einstein (Johnny Flynn) sets out to prove his theory of general relativity. He enlists the help of an astronomer to photograph a solar eclipse in Russia, but the expedition goes awry. Einstein’s affair becomes less secret, and Elsa forces an ultimatum: divorce Mileva or lose her forever.

Exhausted and worn out, Albert Einstein’s (Geoffrey Rush) attempt to make scientific history is put to the test as he begins to experience health issues. Meanwhile, sweeping patriotism in the wake of the war has corrupted one of his closest friends, Fritz Haber (Richard Topol), pitting them against each other. In the German war effort, Albert is the lone scientist to refuse the call to arms.

Attempting to flee to the United States, Albert Einstein (Geoffrey Rush) and his wife Elsa (Emily Watson) find that their visas have been blocked for entry by the U.S. State Department because Einstein’s politics placed him on the radar of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover (T.R. Knight). Just days before his departure, Einstein must convince the U.S. Consul in Germany that he is no threat to the country.

Albert Einstein (Geoffrey Rush) and Elsa (Emily Watson) settle into America while trying to save those he left behind. Although quantum physics continues to vex him, his focus is diverted by the splitting of the atom in Nazi Germany. When tragedy strikes, Einstein seeks comfort in the arms of a Russian woman whose intentions are unclear.

After the atomic bomb is dropped and WWII ends, Albert Einstein (Geoffrey Rush) assumes the role of world citizen in his elder years. Having been linked to nuclear weapons, he drowns in guilt and refocuses his efforts to prevent further wars. Inspiration strikes when a young neighbor asks him for homework help, reminding him of the joy that science once brought.

Pablo Picasso (Antonio Banderas) struggles to bring attention to the rising threat of fascism in Spain. Meanwhile, Young Pablo (Alex Rich) dreams of becoming a great painter. But first he must find his own voice.

WWII rages, but older Picasso (Antonio Banderas) refuses to leave Paris, straining his relationship with photographer Dora Maar (Samantha Colley). Meanwhile, Young Pablo (Alex Rich) finds quick success on his first trip to Paris by imitating the masters, but he struggles to make something truly original.

Pablo (Alex Rich) begins his Blue Period after the suicide of his best friend, and meets his first great love, Fernande Olivier (Aisling Franciosi). Meanwhile, older Picasso (Antonio Banderas) starts an affair with another great love, the young artist Françoise Gilot (Clémence Poésy).

As older Picasso (Antonio Banderas) juggles two love affairs, Young Pablo (Alex Rich) finds inspiration from the legendary poets Apollinaire (Seth Gabel) and Max Jacob (T.R. Knight). He strives to use their ideas to create a masterpiece that will signal his arrival as a great artist.

Picasso (Antonio Banderas) goes to great lengths to convince Françoise Gilot (Clémence Poésy) to move in with him. Meanwhile, Young Pablo (Alex Rich) struggles to match the genius of Matisse. He finds dark inspiration from his souring relationship with Fernande Olivier (Aisling Franciosi).

As older Picasso (Antonio Banderas) takes Françoise Gilot (Clémence Poésy) to the South of France for vacation, Younger Pablo (Alex Rich) gives up his partying ways and invents cubism with Georges Braque (Kerr Logan). But his career is threatened when he is accused of stealing the Mona Lisa.

In the wake of WWII, older Picasso (Antonio Banderas) joins the Communist Party and struggles to reconcile his art with his political ideals. Haunted by a doomed love affair from his past, he falters in his responsibilities to Françoise Gilot (Clémence Poésy).

Yearning for something new, Pablo (Alex Rich) throws himself into designing a ballet. He meets his first wife, the ballerina Olga Khoklova (Sofia Doniants). Meanwhile, older Picasso (Antonio Banderas) struggles to balance the needs of his family with his desire to remain artistically relevant.

Françoise Gilot (Clémence Poésy) defies Picasso (Antonio Banderas) and pursues her artistic goals, as Younger Picasso finds respite from his strained marriage to Olga (Sofia Doniants) with a new amour fou (mad love). Meanwhile, a young Dora Maar (Samantha Colley) strives to meet Picasso, but he’s not at all what she expects.

After leaving Picasso, Françoise Gilot (Clémence Poésy) struggles to escape his shadow and make it on her own. Picasso (Antonio Banderas) finds companionship with Jacqueline Roque (Valentina Bellè), but secludes himself from the world, determined to paint the perfect painting.

Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush gives an inside look at playing Albert Einstein.

Ron Howard and Brian Grazer provide a glimpse behind the scenes of National Geographic's global event series, Genius.

Go on the set of Genius with Johnny Flynn and get an inside look at his breakout performance as the younger Albert Einstein.

Emily Watson ('Elsa Einstein') takes us behind the scenes of Genius, and reveals what it's like to be Geoffrey Rush's work wife.

Meet costume designer Sonu Mishra and makeup artist Davina Lamont whose work on the set of Genius brings the world of Albert Einstein to life.

Samantha Colley Gives an inside look at the story and playing Mileva Maric

Insight into the  story’s history and the Genius’s Love Life

Both actors give an inside look at the story and playing the Genius

The story behind Einstein’s escape from Germany and the fascist regime

Go on the set for an exclusive inside-look at the making of Genius, featuring interviews with Ron Howard, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Johnny Flynn, and more.

On the set of National Geographic's Genius starring Geoffrey Rush, cast and crew members answer what the word 'genius' means to them.