Genius (American TV series)

*Genius*
Genius
Genre	Biographical; Anthology;
Developed by	Noah Pink (seasons 1–2); Ken Biller (seasons 1–2); Suzan-Lori Parks (season 3); Jeff Stetson (season 4);
Starring	Season 1 Geoffrey Rush; Johnny Flynn; Samantha Colley; Richard Topol; Michael McElhatton; Emily Watson; Ralph Brown; Season 2 Antonio Banderas; Clémence Poésy; Alex Rich; Season 3 Cynthia Erivo; Malcolm Barrett; Patrice Covington; Rebecca Naomi Jones; David Cross; Kimberly Hébert Gregory; Shaian Jordan; Courtney B. Vance; Season 4 Kelvin Harrison Jr.; Aaron Pierre; Weruche Opia; Jayme Lawson; Ron Cephas Jones; Gary Carr; Hubert Point-Du Jour; Lennie James; Lisa Gay Hamilton; Sasha Compere;
Theme music composer	Hans Zimmer
Composer	Lorne Balfe
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	4
No. of episodes	36
Production
Executive producers	Gigi Pritzker; Rachel Shane; Jeff Cooney; Sam Sokolow; Brian Grazer; Ron Howard; Francie Calfo; Ken Biller; Chris Cooney; Alan Sam Polsky; Gabe Polsky; John Valentine; Anthony Hemingway (season 3–); Suzan-Lori Parks (season 3–); Clive Davis (season 3–); Craig Kallman (season 3–); Diana Son (season 3–);
Producers	William M. Connor; Steven Felder; Robert M. Williams Jr.; Anna Culp; Kelly A. Manners;
Production locations	Prague, Czech Republic; Málaga, Spain; Barcelona, Spain; Paris, France; Budapest, Hungary; Szentendre, Hungary; Etyek, Hungary; Atlanta, Georgia;
Cinematography	Mathias Herndl
Editors	J. Kathleen Gibson; James Wilcox; James Kilton; Mark Sadlek;
Camera setup	Single-camera
Running time	43–62 minutes
Production companies	Imagine Television Studios; Paperboy Productions; MWM Studios; EUE / Sokolow Entertainment; Warner Music Entertainment (season 3); Tumbleweed Productions (season 3–present); 20th Television;
Original release
Network	National Geographic
Release	April 25, 2017 –; February 22, 2024

Genius is an American biographical anthology drama series developed by Noah Pink and Kenneth Biller which premiered on National Geographic. The first season, which aired between April and June 2017, followed the life of Albert Einstein, from his early years, through his time as a patent clerk, and into his later years as a physicist who developed the theory of relativity; the season is based on the 2007 book Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson. The second season, which aired between April and June 2018, followed the life and artistry of Pablo Picasso.

Quick facts Genre, Developed by ...

In April 2018, National Geographic renewed the series for a third season. The season was originally supposed to focus on Mary Shelley, but this was changed during development to instead focus on Aretha Franklin.^[1] It aired in March 2021. In December 2020, the series was renewed for a fourth season to be released on National Geographic and Disney+. The fourth season follows the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X and premiered on February 1, 2024.^[2]

Throughout the years the series received several nominations and accolades, including two Primetime Emmy Awards and an NAACP Image Awards.

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Season	Title	Episodes	Originally released
Season	Title	Episodes	First released	Last released
1	Einstein	10	April 25, 2017 (2017-04-25)	June 20, 2017 (2017-06-20)
2	Picasso	10	April 24, 2018 (2018-04-24)	June 19, 2018 (2018-06-19)
3	Aretha	8	March 21, 2021 (2021-03-21)	March 24, 2021 (2021-03-24)
4	MLK/X	8	February 1, 2024 (2024-02-01)	February 22, 2024 (2024-02-22)

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date	U.S. viewers (millions)
1	1	"Chapter One"	Ron Howard	Story by : Noah Pink and Ken Biller Teleplay by : Noah Pink	April 25, 2017 (2017-04-25)	1.38^[6]
As Antisemitism reaches a fever pitch in 1930s Germany, physicist Albert Einstein finds himself forced to choose between emigrating to the United States or staying in solidarity with his fellow academics. The struggle evokes memories of his days as a student at Zürich Polytechnic and his first encounter with Mileva Marić, the woman who would become his first wife.
2	2	"Chapter Two"	Minkie Spiro	Angelina Burnett	May 2, 2017 (2017-05-02)	1.05^[7]
After butting heads with Mileva, the only female student in his class at Zürich Polytechnic, a young Albert 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 Albert's strict physics lecturer, Professor Weber.
3	3	"Chapter Three"	Minkie Spiro	Mark Lafferty	May 9, 2017 (2017-05-09)	1.02^[8]
As a recent university graduate, Albert 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, when tragedy strikes.
4	4	"Chapter Four"	Kevin Hooks	Noah Pink	May 16, 2017 (2017-05-16)	0.93^[9]
While working at his day job at the Bern patent office, Albert burns the candle at both ends supported by his new wife, writing four new scientific papers including the theory of special relativity, in what will be considered his miracle year. One of his papers attracts the attention of the notable theoretical physicist Max Planck.
5	5	"Chapter Five"	Kevin Hooks	Raf Green	May 23, 2017 (2017-05-23)	0.94^[10]
With new teaching duties, Albert 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 in Europe including Marie Curie, Albert falters in his familial responsibilities. His only relief comes from a visit to extended family, where he is introduced to his cousin Elsa.
6	6	"Chapter Six"	James Hawes	Brian Peterson	May 30, 2017 (2017-05-30)	1.02^[11]
After moving his family to Berlin for work, and to be closer to his new love Elsa, Albert 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. Albert's affair becomes less secret, and Elsa forces an ultimatum: divorce Mileva or lose her forever.
7	7	"Chapter Seven"	James Hawes	Kelly Souders	June 6, 2017 (2017-06-06)	1.06^[12]
Exhausted and worn out, Albert's 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, pitting them against each other. In the German war effort, Albert is the lone scientist to refuse the call to arms.
8	8	"Chapter Eight"	Ken Biller	Angelina Burnett & Francesca Butler	June 13, 2017 (2017-06-13)	1.05^[13]
Attempting to flee to the United States, Albert and his wife Elsa find that their visas have been blocked for entry by the U.S. State Department because Albert's politics placed him on the radar of FBI director J. Edgar Hoover. Just days before his departure, Albert must convince the U.S Consul in Germany that he is no threat to the country.
9	9	"Chapter Nine"	Ken Biller	Ken Biller & Raf Green	June 20, 2017 (2017-06-20)	1.04^[14]
Albert and Elsa settle into the U.S. 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, Albert seeks comfort in the arms of a Russian woman whose intentions are unclear.
10	10	"Chapter Ten"	Ken Biller	Mark Lafferty	June 20, 2017 (2017-06-20)	1.04^[14]
After the atomic bomb is dropped and World War II ends, Albert 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.

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date	U.S. viewers (millions)
11	1	"Chapter One"	Ken Biller	Ken Biller	April 24, 2018 (2018-04-24)	0.72^[15]
While going to art school in Madrid, young Pablo Ruiz rejects the traditional rules of painting in search of his own unique style, and soon changes his last name to Picasso. He moves to Paris and befriends art student Carlos Casagemas, and together they share a studio and sell their art until a terrible tragedy happens. In 1938, Pablo contends with the rising threat of Franco's fascism in his home country of Spain.
12	2	"Chapter Two"	Ken Biller	Ken Biller	April 24, 2018 (2018-04-24)	0.52^[15]
Pablo learns that Guernica, an ancient town in the Basque Country, was destroyed by the Nazis, and paints his 1937 mural of the same name depicting the carnage. It is shown in the Spanish Pavilion at the Universal Exposition in Paris. It is critiqued by inspiring French painter Françoise Gilot, who catches Pablo's eye, especially when his current muse, Dora Maar, no longer inspires him to pick up a paintbrush.
13	3	"Chapter Three"	Kevin Hooks	Brian Peterson & Kelly Souders	May 1, 2018 (2018-05-01)	0.26^[16]
After the suicide of his heartbroken friend, Pablo struggles with life. He meets poet Max Jacob who helps him through his pain, using it in his art. While he paints, Pablo only sees bleak colors, thus beginning his Blue Period. While back in Barcelona in 1903, to honor Carlos, he creates La Vie. In 1943, Pablo grows closer to Françoise and he shows her how to feel the passion through her work.
14	4	"Chapter Four"	Kevin Hooks	Raf Green	May 8, 2018 (2018-05-08)	0.35^[17]
Back in Paris, Pablo reunites with Max and through him meets French poet Guillaume Apollinaire who inspires him to create Family of Saltimbanques, the masterpiece of his Rose Period. But after seeing rival Henri Matisse's work at the Autumn Salon, Pablo pulls his painting from the show. In 1944, Pablo loses Max to the Nazis, and he soon struggles with two love affairs between Dora and Françoise.
15	5	"Chapter Five"	Laura Belsey	Noah Pink	May 15, 2018 (2018-05-15)	0.33^[18]
After the French critics denounce all the artists who submitted their work at the Autumn Salon as Matisse imitators, Pablo meets the man himself and is challenged by his radical genius. For years, the two artists try to outdo each other, urged on by brother and sister art collecting duo Leo and Gertrude Stein. When attempts with his first love, Fernande Olivier fail, Pablo seeks inspiration from the primitive African masks at Trocadero Museum and creates Les Demoiselles d'Avignon. In 1947, Pablo convinces Françoise to move in with him.
16	6	"Chapter Six"	Laura Belsey	Matthew Newman	May 22, 2018 (2018-05-22)	0.33^[19]
Pablo is inspired by Henri Rousseau, a customs clerk who paints in a distorted style, and starts cubism with Matisse's protégé Georges Braque. The two go on to change the way people see art and they sell many paintings in their new style. After the Mona Lisa is stolen from the Louvre in 1911, Apollinare's secretary Géry Pieret who stole statues from the museum, confesses he knows who did it. Since Pieret sold them the artifacts, Pablo and Apollinare are accused of stealing the beloved Da Vinci painting. Pablo takes Françoise on a getaway to Midi, but she is not impressed. He asks her to have a baby with him.
17	7	"Chapter Seven"	Greg Yaitanes	Wendy Riss	May 29, 2018 (2018-05-29)	0.26^[20]
In 1912, Pablo and Georges expand their art movement with radical collages called Crystal Cubism. Pablo's Family of Saltimbanques becomes the most expensive painting in history, selling for 12,650 francs. When World War I begins, Pablo doesn't believe in fighting and remains a pacifist at home while his friends fight in the trenches. But he has his own battles with Fernande having an affair with Italian painter Ubaldo Oppi. Pablo falls in love with her conventional friend, Eva Gouel, wanting to marry her. However, she's diagnosed with lung cancer and dies soon after. After the loss of his father, Pablo has a fling with cabaret singer Gaby Lespinasse, but she is engaged. In 1949, with two kids with Françoise, Pablo, a member of the Communist Party attends the World Peace Council in Paris and creates a symbol of peace.
18	8	"Chapter Eight"	Greg Yaitanes	Stephanie K. Smith	June 5, 2018 (2018-06-05)	0.27^[21]
After befriending playwright Jean Cocteau, Pablo designs his ballet, Parade in 1917, and meets his first wife, Olga Khokhlova, a Russian ballerina. He must choose starting a family with his new wife or being around for his old friends. Max decides to stay at a monastery and make his vows to God, while Apollinaire contracts Spanish influenza. As an older man in the early 1950s, Pablo struggles with Françoise who attempts to bring his complex family back into his life. It is a distraction when he tries to continue his legacy with a retrospective of his works.
19	9	"Chapter Nine"	Mathias Herndl	Raf Green & Ali Gordon-Goldstein	June 12, 2018 (2018-06-12)	0.27^[22]
Surrealist writer André Breton includes Pablo in the surrealism movement, but he doesn't want to be labeled. When Pablo feels stuck in his marriage with Olga and her snobbish ways, he seeks out someone new. He sees Marie-Thérèse Walter on the streets of Paris and she agrees to let him paint her, thus starting a love affair. In 1935, Pablo needs an outlet and begins writing poetry. His friend, poet Paul Éluard introduces him to Dora, a photographer. After finding out Pablo has been sneaking off to St. Tropez with his young mistress Geneviève Laporte, Françoise leaves him to pursue her artistic goals by designing a ballet for choreographer Janine Charrat, and becomes more than friends with philosopher Kostas Axelos in 1953.
20	10	"Chapter Ten"	Mathias Herndl	Matthew Newman & Noah Pink	June 19, 2018 (2018-06-19)	0.34^[23]
After leaving Pablo, Françoise struggles to escape his shadow even when she marries, then divorces art teacher Luc Simon, and later moves to New York City to showcase her art. But, not wanting to only be known as Picasso's former mistress, she fights back by writing a tell-all book about their abusive relationship and gets into a healthy one with doctor Jonas Salk. Meanwhile, Pablo meets Jacqueline Roque and she becomes his last muse and then his second wife after Olga dies in 1955. An aging Pablo withdraws from the public eye to create a neo-expressionist self-portrait. On April 8, 1973, Pablo dies at the age of 91 without a will. The art he leaves behind is worth millions.

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date	U.S. viewers (millions)
21	1	"Respect"	Anthony Hemingway	Suzan-Lori Parks	March 21, 2021 (2021-03-21)	1.38^[24]
The episode starts with "Chain of Fools". Aretha Franklin is growing up in the 1950s. In the 1960s, she travels to Muscle Shoals, Alabama to sign a deal with the record label Atlantic Records.
22	2	"Until The Real Thing Comes Along"	Neema Barnette	Story by : Suzan-Lori Parks and Diana Son Teleplay by : Diana Son	March 21, 2021 (2021-03-21)	1.37^[24]
Aretha catches the attention of Jerry Wexler at Atlantic Records in 1966. Little Re has her first touring experience on the Gospel Circuit in 1954 with C.L. Franklin and meets her idol, Clara Ward.
23	3	"Do Right Woman"	Neema Barnette	Nathan Louis Jackson, Suzan-Lori Parks & Diana Son	March 22, 2021 (2021-03-22)	1.04^[25]
Aretha Franklin has her first child at 12. Little Aretha Franklin leaves behind her newborn child to return to the Gospel Circuit in 1955, meeting with music legends James Cleveland and Little Sammie Bryant.
24	4	"Unforgettable"	Bille Woodruff	Story by : Gwendolyn M. Parker & Suzan-Lori Parks Teleplay by : Gwendolyn M. Parker	March 22, 2021 (2021-03-22)	1.07^[25]
Aretha is featured on the cover of Time magazine in 1968, but she's devastated when the article focuses on the scandalous details of her personal life; Barbara Franklin and Young C.L. Franklin struggle to establish themselves in Memphis.
25	5	"Young, Gifted and Black"	Anthony Hemingway	Suzan-Lori Parks	March 23, 2021 (2021-03-23)	0.98^[26]
Aretha records her protest album Young, Gifted and Black in 1970; despite Jerry Wexler's uncertainty, the album is a success; Barbara Franklin makes a decision that has a devastating effect on Little Re. Franklin starts to speak on political issues and offers to post the bail for Angela Davis.
26	6	"Amazing Grace"	Anthony Hemingway	Becky Mode	March 23, 2021 (2021-03-23)	1.03^[26]
Aretha records her bestselling live gospel album Amazing Grace in 1972 at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church; Little Re discovers that she's pregnant with her second child at age 14, forcing her to leave school.
27	7	"Chain of Fools"	Anthony Hemingway	Suzan-Lori Parks	March 24, 2021 (2021-03-24)	0.93^[27]
Aretha steals an opportunity from her sister Carolyn; she receives a Grammy nomination but is ultimately snubbed from winning the award; she meets with Arista founder Clive Davis; Jerry Wexler leaves Atlantic Records, and he and Aretha part ways.
28	8	"No One Sleeps"	Anthony Hemingway	Suzan-Lori Parks	March 24, 2021 (2021-03-24)	1.03^[27]
Franklin begins a career at Arista with the help of Clive Davis, and in a Grammy performance in 1998, she solidifies her eternal reign as the Queen of Soul. She releases "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" with George Michael in 1987.

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date	U.S. viewers (millions)
29	1	"Graduation"	Channing Godfrey Peoples	Jeff Stetson	February 1, 2024 (2024-02-01)	0.112
30	2	"Who We Are"	Marta Cunningham	Raphael Jackson, Jr. & Damione Macedon	February 1, 2024 (2024-02-01)	0.076
31	3	"Protect Us"	Marta Cunningham	Raphael Jackson, Jr. & Damione Macedon	February 8, 2024 (2024-02-08)	0.091
32	4	"Watch the Throne"	Crystle Roberson	Maria Warith-Wade	February 8, 2024 (2024-02-08)	N/A
33	5	"Matriarchs"	Crystle Roberson	Sigrid Gilmer	February 15, 2024 (2024-02-15)	N/A
34	6	"The American Promise"	Crystle Roberson	Marta Gene Camps	February 15, 2024 (2024-02-15)	N/A
35	7	"The Sword and the Shield"	Director X	Quran Squire	February 22, 2024 (2024-02-22)	N/A
36	8	"Can You Imagine"	Director X	Maria Warith-Wade	February 22, 2024 (2024-02-22)	N/A

Year	Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result	Ref.
2017	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Limited Series	Genius	Nominated	^[64]
		Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie	Geoffrey Rush	Nominated
		Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special	Ron Howard	Nominated
		Outstanding Hairstyling for a Limited Series or Movie	Tash Lees, Fae Hammond, Adela Robova, Alex Rouse	Nominated
		Outstanding Main Title Theme Music	Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe	Nominated
		Outstanding Makeup for a Limited Series or Movie (Non-Prosthetic)	Davina Lamont	Nominated
		Outstanding Period/Fantasy Costumes for a Series, Limited Series, or Movie	Sonu Mishra, Martina Hejlova, Petia Krckova	Nominated
		Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special	Daniel Pagan, Erich Gann, Arielle McGrail, Bill Bell, Nicholas Fitzgerald, Tim Chilton, Jill Sanders	Nominated
		Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Limited Series or Movie	Bob Bronow, Mark Hensley, Petr Forejt	Nominated
		Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Supporting Role	Eric Durst, Lenka Líkařová, Viktor Muller, Marek Ruth, Tomáš Kalhous, Lukáš Herrmann, Pavel Kolář, Petr Hastík, Vit Komrzý	Nominated
	Hollywood Music in Media Awards	Main Title Theme – TV Show/Limited Series	Hans Zimmer and Lorne Balfe	Nominated	^[65]
2018	Golden Globe Awards	Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film	Geoffrey Rush	Nominated	^[66]
	Screen Actors Guild Awards	Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series	Geoffrey Rush	Nominated	^[67]
	American Society of Cinematographers Awards	Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Television Movie, Miniseries or Pilot	Mathias Herndl (for "Chapter One")	Won	^[68]
	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Limited Series	Genius: Picasso	Nominated	^[69]
		Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie	Antonio Banderas	Nominated
		Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited Series or Movie	Mathias Herndl (for "Chapter One")	Won
		Outstanding Hairstyling for a Limited Series or Movie	Kate Starr, Alex Rouse, Judit Halasz, Janosne Kajtar	Nominated
		Outstanding Makeup for a Limited Series or Movie (Non-Prosthetic)	Davina Lamont, Hayden Bloomfield, Szandra Biro, Szilvia Homolya	Nominated
		Outstanding Period Costumes	Sonu Mishra, Eudald Magari, Balazs Labancz (for "Chapter One")	Nominated
		Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Limited Series or Movie	Bob Bronow, Mark Hensley, Tamás Csaba (for "Chapter One")	Won
2019	Screen Actors Guild Awards	Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie	Antonio Banderas	Nominated	^[70]
2021	Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards	Best Actress in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or Television Movie	Cynthia Erivo	Nominated	^[71]
	Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards	Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or Television Movie	Courtney B. Vance	Nominated	^[71]
	Black Reel Awards	Outstanding Actress, TV Movie/Limited Series	Cynthia Erivo	Nominated	^[72]
	Black Reel Awards	Outstanding Supporting Actor, TV Movie/Limited Series	Courtney B. Vance	Nominated	^[72]
	Primetime Emmy Awards	Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie	Cynthia Erivo	Nominated	^[73]
	Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards	Outstanding Choreography for Scripted Programming	Dondraico Johnson (Routines: "Jump" / "Satisfaction" / "See Saw")	Nominated
	Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards	Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie	Dan Brennan, Ken Hahn and Jay Meagher (for "Respect")	Nominated
	ReFrame Stamp	IMDbPro Top 200 Scripted TV Recipients	Genius: Aretha	Won	^[74]
2022	Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards	Best Period and/or Character Hair Styling	Louisa V. Anthony, Tracey Moss, Victor Paz	Won	^[75]
	Golden Globe Awards	Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film	Cynthia Erivo	Nominated	^[76]
	NAACP Image Awards	Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special	Genius: Aretha	Nominated	^[77]
		Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series	Anthony Hemingway (for "Respect")	Nominated
		Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special	Cynthia Erivo	Nominated
		Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special	Courtney B. Vance	Won
		Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special	Pauletta Washington	Nominated
	Screen Actors Guild Awards	Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie	Cynthia Erivo	Nominated	^[78]
	Satellite Awards	Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film		Nominated	^[79]
	Critics' Choice Television Awards	Best Actress in a Movie/Miniseries		Nominated	^[80]

Synopsis

Cast and characters

Season 1

Main

Recurring

Season 2

Main

Recurring

Season 3

Main

Recurring

Season 4

Main

Recurring

Episodes

Season 1: Einstein (2017)

Season 2: Picasso (2018)

Season 3: Aretha (2021)

Season 4: MLK/X (2024)

Production

Development

Casting

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

Season 4

Filming

Music

Reception

Critical reception

Season 1

Season 2

Season 3

Reaction from Franklin's family

Season 4

Accolades

See also

References

External links