Apple TV Plus will chronicle the life of NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson as part of a new four-part documentary debuting April 22, the streamer announced during its Television Critics Association tour presentation Friday. 

The docuseries, The Call Me Magic, follows Johnson’s journey from being the face of the Los Angeles Lakers to changing the conversation around HIV and transforming into a successful entrepreneur and community activist, said network officials. 

Johnson will also be featured as part of HBO's upcoming scripted series Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty. ■

The streaming service also released premiere dates and video trailers for several of its upcoming original shows during its presentation.

Apple TV Plus on March 11 will debut its limited series The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, starring Samuel L. Jackson as an ailing elderly man forgotten by his family who learns of a treatment that can temporarily restore his dementia-addled memories, said the service.

Apple TV Plus also announced the premiere its comic anthology series Roar on April 15. Based on a book of short stories by Cecelia Ahern, the series stars Cynthia Erivo, Issa Rae, Merritt Wever, Alison Brie and Betty Gilpin.

National Geographic has set a March 21 date for the debut of its Genius: Aretha mini-series profiling the life of legendary R&B singer Aretha Franklin.

The eight-episode series stars Cynthia Erivo as the Queen of Soul. Nat Geo will air two episodes each week over four consecutive nights beginning March 21, with episodes appearing on Hulu the day after airing. All episodes will be available for streaming on March 25, Franklin’s birthday. 

The network also announced four new unscripted projects from Free Solo producers Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin.

The deal includes two feature documentaries, a 10-part series and a one-hour pilot. The projects includes the feature documentary Thai Cave Rescue that chronicles the 2018 rescue of a boys’ soccer team trapped inside a flooded cave in Thailand. Another project profiles conservationist Kristine Tompkins, while Into the Unknown focuses on elite athletes, and Photographer profiles Nat Geo photographers. 

“Chai and Jimmy are masterful storytellers who bring unparalleled artistry and distinctive vision to everything they do,” said Carolyn Bernstein, EVP of scripted content and documentary films for National Geographic in a statement. “We are proud to continue our partnership with them to tell these profound stories in an authentic yet innovative way.”

Emmy and Tony-winning actor Courtney B. Vance will join the cast of National Geographic’s Genius: Aretha series based on the life of Aretha Franklin, the network said Thursday.

Vance (The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story) will play Aretha’s father, civil rights activist C.L. Franklin, according to Nat Geo officials. In addition, Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog) will serve as showrunner and executive producer, while Anthony Hemingway (Power, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story) will executive produce and serve as the producing director for the upcoming season, said network officials.

“Courtney B. Vance is an actor whose work I’ve admired for so long,” said Parks in a statement. “To have him bring his award-winning talents to the role of C.L. Franklin, a man of great conviction who also had many flaws, is a beautiful dream come true.”

Genius: Aretha, the third installment of the Genius series that previously featured Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso, will debut in Spring 2020.

National Geographic has signed Cynthia Erivo as the lead for its upcoming series Genius: Aretha, the network announced Thursday.

The Tony, Grammy and Emmy-winning Erivo (Harriet, Broadway’s The Color Purple) will star as Aretha Franklin in the series, which will focus on the life of the Queen of Soul, said the network. Genius: Aretha is the third installment of the Genius franchise, following shows based on the lives of Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso.

“The fabulously talented Cynthia Erivo is dream casting to play iconic musical genius Aretha Franklin,” said Carolyn Bernstein, executive vice president of global scripted content and documentary films for National Geographic. “On the heels of her Tony Award-winning turn in The Color Purple and breakout performance in upcoming feature film Harriet, we can’t wait to see Cynthia bring her fierceness to the role as the Queen of Soul.”

Related: Nat Geo Enjoying The View From Emmy Heights 

Added Erivo: “Aretha Franklin has been a source of inspiration for me since I was a little girl. Her strength, passion and soul are evident in her everlasting legacy, not only as a transcendent artist, but as a humanitarian and civil rights icon. To have the opportunity to bring her legacy to life and show the fullness of her being, her humanity and brilliance, is an honor.”