Your AURN Inspirational Gospel Roundup!

by Meta Washington

Facebook

Twitter

National Geographic Will Air Aretha Franklin Miniseries

“Genius: Aretha” is a four-part miniseries about the life and works of the “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin. The series will feature Grammy, Tony and Emmy award winning English actress Cynthia Erivo in the role of Aretha Franklin. The miniseries will of course highlight the classics hits that we have come to love and associate with Aretha but also will revisit moments in her life marked by tragedy and trauma. Franklin who was pregnant twice as a teenager later married and divorced multiple times. Actor Courtney B. Vance will appear as the renowned Baptist minister and civil rights leader, Rev. C.L. Franklin, Aretha’s father. Rev. Franklin who had a huge influence over Aretha’s life had his own share drama resulting from his own philandering ways. Genius: Aretha debuted the first of its four parts on Sunday, March 21^st and is streaming currently on Hulu.

This combination photo shows Cynthia Erivo performing at the 73rd annual Tony Awards in New York on June 9, 2019, left, and Aretha Franklin performing at the world premiere of “Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives” at Radio City Music Hall in New York on April 19, 2017. Erivo will play Franklin in a third installment of the National Geographic anthology series “Genius.” Production on “Genius: Aretha” will begin next month and the series is expected to debut next spring. (Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)

Mahalia Jackson Biopic Airing Easter Weekend

“Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia” the biopic movie based on the life of one of the most iconic gospel singers of our lifetime will premiere on Saturday, April 3^rd 8:00 PM EST/PST on the Lifetime network. “Mahalia” is executive produced by Robin Roberts and Linda Berman under Roberts’ Rock’n Robin Productions. Grammy Award-winning actress Danielle Brooks will star in the lead role. Brooks will also be joined by actor Jason Dirden, Joaquina Kalukango and Olivia Washington.

“Resurrection” the Movie to Premiere on Discovery+

Actress-producer Roma Downey and husband producer Mark Burnett released the latest of their faith-based films “Resurrection” which follows the story of Jesus Christ right before the Crucifixion and continues up to the moment of his resurrection. Actress Roma Downey who co-starred as Monica the angel alongside the late actress Della Reese in “Touched by Angel” produced the film with her husband Mark Barnett. The two have also produced the miniseries “The Bible” and “Son of God.” The movie will premiere Saturday, March 27^th on Discovery+.

Roma Downey arrives at the LA Premiere of “Breakthrough” at the Regency Village on Thursday, April 11, 2019, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP)

Gospel Music Association Announces Easter Celebration Special

The Gospel Music Association’s“Because He Lives: An Easter Celebration” is coming to TBN on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 9:00 PM EST/8:00 PM CST. The musical special will feature a star-studded line-up of performances by Amy Grant, Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy, CeCe Winans, Ellie Holcomb, Jekalyn Carr, Karen Peck & New River, Natalie Grant, Bernie Herms, Nicole C. Mullen, and Zach Williams. Additional broadcasts will air on TBN at 11:00 p.m. EST / 10:00 p.m. CST and Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. EST / 3:00 p.m. CST.

“Young & Gospel” New Unscripted Reality TV Series Coming to OWN

Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network recently announced its commitment to air a lineup of five new unscripted reality TV series programs including Young & Gospel which follows the lives of four Christian artists as they pursue their dreams, navigate the music industry and more while maintaining their personal lives and their commitments to their faith. The series will feature two native Louisiana singers Koryn Hawthorne and Bri Babineaux and also Jekalyn Carr and Christian rapper Wande. The series is produced by the show is produced by ITV America’s Thinkfactory Media.