National Geographic has found its Pablo Picasso. Antonio Banderas has been cast as the famous artist in the second season of “Genius.”
Banderas has portrayed real-life figures before, from Pancho Villa in “And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself” to Che Guevara in “Evita.” He has a closer relationship with Picasso, however, because they both come from the same place.
“The life story of Pablo Picasso has long since fascinated me and I have so much respect for this man, who also comes from my birthplace Málaga,” Banderas said in a statement.
Also Read: How 'Genius' Einsteins Geoffery Rush and Johnny Flynn Faked It (Video)
“Antonio was the natural choice. He, like Picasso, has a no-holds-barred approach to life that will add to the genuineness that we’re looking for,” said executive producer Ron Howard. “He has such tremendous range as an actor, who I know will bring this brilliant and unconventional artist to life.”
The network previously announced that the second season of “Genius” would be about the life of Pablo Picasso, from his artistic contributions — which numbered close to 50,000 — to his personal life and political affairs.
“Picasso was a trailblazer who left a profound artistic and cultural impact on the world and we look forward to continuing our successful partnership with National Geographic and Fox 21 Television Studios in telling the untold story behind the brilliant individual,” Howard said at the time.
Also Read: 'Genius': This Einstein Wants to Know If the Real One Is a Communist (Exclusive Video)
Ken Biller will be returning to “Genius” as showrunner, executive producer and writer. Fox 21 Television Studios is producing, along with Howard, Brian Grazer, Imagine Entertainment, Madison Wells Media’s OddLot Entertainment and EUE/Sokolow. It’ll debut sometime in 2018.
“Genius” Season 1 chronicled the life of Albert Einstein. It starred Geoffrey Rush and Johnny Flynn as Einstein in different moments of his life and how he came to be the celebrity scientist we know him to be. The network said it was its best performing new series launch to date, watched by over 45 million viewers globally.
It was recently nominated for 10 Emmys including Outstanding Limited Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for Rush.
47 Fall TV Actors Ranked Most to Least Liked, From Michael Weatherly to Matt LeBlanc (Photos)
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TheWrap
Just in time for the return of fall TV shows, TheWrap has exclusively ranked all 47 of Big 4 broadcast's leading men by their Positive Q Scores, an industry measure of likability.
Note: Each entry also includes a Familiarity score -- and if that is less than 20, the Q Score is considered less stable.
Also Read: 34 Fall TV Actresses Ranked Most to Least Liked, From Pauley Perrette to America Ferrara (Photos)
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CBS
Rank: 1
Actor: Michael Weatherly
Show: "Bull"
Positive Q Score: 37
Familiarity: 24Also Read: Colin Kaepernick Is Most Disliked NFL Player, Says Survey
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CBS
Rank: 2 (tie)
Actor: Mark Harmon
Show: "NCIS"
Positive Q Score: 35
Familiarity: 57 -
NBC
Rank: 2 (tie)
Actor: Taylor Kinney
Show: "Chicago Fire"
Positive Q Score: 35
Familiarity: 13Also Read: Michael Strahan vs Kelly Ripa: Here’s How Much He’s Better Liked
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CBS
Rank: 4
Actor: Jim Parsons
Show: "The Big Bang Theory"
Positive Q Score: 34
Familiarity: 47Also Read: Here’s Donald Trump’s Horrible Q Score
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CBS
Rank: 5 (tie)
Actor: Johnny Galecki
Show: "The Big Bang Theory"
Positive Q Score: 32
Familiarity: 44 -
Fox
Rank: 5 (tie)
Actor: Terrence Howard
Show: "Empire"
Positive Q Score: 32
Familiarity: 37 -
CBS
Rank: 5 (tie)
Actor: Shemar Moore
Show: "SWAT"
Positive Q Score: 32
Familiarity: 34 -
CBS
Rank: 8 (tie)
Actor: Joe Mantegna
Show: "Criminal Minds"
Positive Q Score: 31
Familiarity: 40 -
Fox
Rank: 8 (tie)
Actor: Jussie Smollett
Show: 'Empire"
Positive Q Score: 31
Familiarity: 16 -
Fox
Rank: 8 (tie)
Actor: Tom Ellis
Show: "Lucifer"
Positive Q Score: 31
Familiarity: 14Also Read: The Most and Least Liked TV Newscasters – From Scott Pelley to Chris Matthews
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ABC
Rank: 8 (tie)
Actor: Guillermo Diaz
Show: "Scandal"
Positive Q Score: 31
Familiarity: 13Also Read: The Most and Least Liked Late Night Talk Show Hosts: From Stephen Colbert to Arsenio Hall
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Photographed by Michael Rowe for TheWrap
Rank: 12 (tie)
Actor: LL Cool J
Show: "NCIS: Los Angeles"
Positive Q Score: 29
Familiarity: 71Also Read: The Most and Least Liked Daytime TV Hosts – From Ellen to Wendy Williams
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Getty
Rank: 12 (tie)
Actor: Tom Selleck
Show: "Blue Bloods"
Positive Q Score: 29
Familiarity: 70Also Read: The Most and Least Liked Morning TV Hosts — From Robin Roberts to Kathie Lee Gifford
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NBC
Rank: 12 (tie)
Actor: Sterling K. Brown
Show: "This Is Us"
Positive Q Score: 29
Familiarity: 14Also Read: Taylor Swift’s ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ Video: A Breakdown of All the Shade (Photos)
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Rank: 15 (tie)
Actor: Scott Bakula
Show: "NCIS: New Orleans"
Positive Q Score: 28
Familiarity: 43Also Read: VMAs After Party Fun With Shawn Mendes, Hailee Steinfeld, Vanessa Hudgens and More (Photos)
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NBC
Rank: 15 (tie)
Actor: James Spader
Show: "The Blacklist"
Positive Q Score: 28*
Familiarity: 37*From Winter 2017 study
Also Read: Miss ‘Game of Thrones’? Here Are 8 Other Shows to Binge Until It Returns (Photos)
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Fast and Furious
Rank: 15 (tie)
Actor: Lucas Black
Show: "NCIS: New Orleans"
Positive Q Score: 28
Familiarity: 23Also Read: Kim Kardashian’s Jackie O-Themed Photo Shoot Draws Fire on Twitter: ‘Absurd and Inappropriate’
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NBC
Rank: 15 (tie)
Actor: Milo Ventimiglia
Show: "This Is Us"
Positive Q Score: 28
Familiarity: 18Also Read: ‘Game of Thrones’ 5 Lowest-Rated Episodes (Photos)
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ABC
Rank: 19 (tie)
Actor: Anthony Anderson
Show: "Black-ish"
Positive Q Score: 27
Familiarity: 42Also Read: ‘Phelps vs Shark’ Is Now Discovery’s Highest-Rated Shark Week Show Ever
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Getty
Rank: 19 (tie)
Actor: Lucas Till
Show: "MacGyver"
Positive Q Score: 27
Familiarity: 14Also Read: 20 Highest-Rated Shows That Got Canceled Last Season (Photos)
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Rank: 21 (tie)
Actor: Damon Wayans
Show: "Lethal Weapon"
Positive Q Score: 26
Familiarity: 45Also Read: The 22 Lowest-Rated Shows to Get Renewed Last Season (Photos)
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Fox
Rank: 21 (tie)
Actor: Andre Braugher
Show: "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"
Positive Q Score: 26
Familiarity: 16Also Read: 20 Lowest-Rated TV Shows of 2016-17 Season (Photos)
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Fox
Rank: 23
Actor: David Boreanaz
Show: SEAL Team
Positive Q Score: 25
Familiarity: 28 -
CBS
Rank: 24 (tie)
Actor: Kevin James
Show: "Kevin Can Wait"
Positive Q Score: 24
Familiarity: 55Also Read: ‘Game of Thrones': Everyone Arya Stark Has Killed So Far (Photos)
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NBC
Rank: 24 (tie)
Actor: Marlon Wayans
Show: "Marlon"
Positive Q Score: 24
Familiarity: 50Also Read: ‘Game of Thrones’ 16 Most Memorable Sex Scenes (Photos)
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ABC
Rank: 24 (tie)
Actor: Ed O'Neill
Show: "Modern Family"
Positive Q Score: 24
Familiarity: 45Also Read: ‘Game of Thrones': Key Events in the Series So Far (Photos)
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Getty
Rank: 24 (tie)
Actor: Ice-T
Show: "Law & Order: SVU"
Positive Q Score: 24
Familiarity: 68Also Read: ‘Game of Thrones': Most Upsetting, Shocking and Disturbing Deaths So Far (Photos)
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ABC
Rank: 28 (tie)
Actor: Kiefer Sutherland
Show: "Designated Survivor"
Positive Q Score: 23
Familiarity: 57Also Read: 10 Predictions for the ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 7 Finale (Photos)
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Bravo
Rank: 28 (tie)
Actor: Donnie Wahlberg
Show: "Blue Bloods"
Positive Q Score: 23
Familiarity: 49Also Read: Franchise Fatigue Tracker: Which 2017 Summer Blockbusters Are Getting Sequels? (Photos)
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Fox
Rank: 28 (tie)
Actor: Clayne Crawford
Show: "Lethal Weapon"
Positive Q Score: 23
Familiarity: 15Also Read: ‘Game of Thrones': Daenerys’ Transformation from Frightened Maid to Conqueror (Photos)
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ABC
Rank: 31 (tie)
Actor: Freddie Highmore
Show: "The Good Doctor"
Positive Q Score: 22
Familiarity: 20Also Read: 24 Big ‘Game of Thrones’ Fan Theories for Season 7 and Beyond (Photos)
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Fox
Rank: 31 (tie)
Actor: Ben McKenzie
Show: "Gotham"
Positive Q Score: 22
Familiarity: 15Also Read: All 49 ‘Game of Thrones’ Main Characters, Ranked Worst to Best (Photos)
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ABC
Rank: 33 (tie)
Actor: Ty Burrell
Show: "Modern Family"
Positive Q Score: 21
Familiarity: 33Also Read: ‘Game of Thrones:’ Let’s Just Bask in the Amazing Season 7 Costumes (Photos)
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ABC
Rank: 33 (tie)
Actor: Jeff Garlin
Show: "The Goldbergs"
Positive Q Score: 21
Familiarity: 14Also Read: See Pennywise and the Losers in Full Force in New ‘It’ Images (Photos)
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Getty
Rank: 33 (tie)
Actor: Mark Feuerstein
Show: "9JKL"
Positive Q Score: 21
Familiarity: 12Also Read: FBI Slow to Move on Photos Identifying Neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, Filmmaker Says
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CBS
Rank: 33 (tie)
Actor: Scott Caan
Show: "Hawaii Five-O"
Positive Q Score: 21
Familiarity: 29Also Read: 31 Scene-Stealing Animals in Movies and TV (Photos)
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ABC
Rank: 37
Actor: Tony Goldwyn
Show: "Scandal"
Positive Q Score: 19
Familiarity: 18Also Read: From Wags to Riches: 9 of TV’s Most Famous Dogs (Photos)
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NBC
Rank: 38 (tie)
Actor: Ted Danson
Show: "The Good Place"
Positive Q Score: 18*
Familiarity: 63*From Winter 2016 study
Also Read: Pennywise and Spooked Foolish: 10 Best Scary Clowns in Movies and TV (Photos)
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CBS
Rank: 38 (tie)
Actor: Chris O'Donnell
Show: "NCIS: Los Angeles"
Positive Q Score: 18
Familiarity: 41Also Read: All 13 ‘Black Mirror’ Episodes Ranked, From Eerie to Horrifying (Photos)
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Fox
Rank: 40
Actor: Craig Robinson
Show: "Ghosted"
Positive Q Score: 17
Familiarity: 17Also Read: ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’ Star Tituss Burgess Exclusive EmmyQuickie Portraits (Photos)
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NBC
Rank: 41
Actor: Sean Hayes
Show: "Will and Grace"
Positive Q Score: 16
Familiarity: 28Also Read: Netflix in September: What’s Coming and What to Watch Before It’s Gone (Photos)
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Fox
Rank: 42 (tie)
Actor: Andy Samberg
Show: "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"
Positive Q Score: 15
Familiarity: 27Also Read: Emmys 2017: Nominees From ‘Veep,’ ‘This Is Us’ and ‘Black-ish’ Do Drinks Together (Photos)
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CBS
Rank: 42 (tie)
Actor: Bobby Moynihan
Show: "Me, Myself & I"
Positive Q Score: 15
Familiarity: 18Also Read: ‘Stranger Things’ Pop-up Bar Lets You Visit the Upside Down (Photos)
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ABC
Rank: 44
Actor: Randall Park
Show: "Fresh Off the Boat"
Positive Q Score: 13
Familiarity: 9Also Read: Top 20 Highest-Paid Actors in Hollywood in 2017, Ranked From Mark Ruffalo to Mark Wahlberg (Photos)
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TheWrap
Rank: 45 (tie)
Actor: Jermaine Fowler
Show: "Superior Donuts"
Positive Q Score: 12
Familiarity: 6Also Read: 18 Stars Who Went to Comic-Con in Disguise, From Ben Affleck to Lupita Nyong’o (Photos)
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CBS
Rank: 45 (tie)
Actor: Jeremy Piven
Show: "The Wisdom of the Crowd"
Positive Q Score: 12
Familiarity: 31Also Read: 43 Summer TV Premieres Ranked by Total Viewers (Photos)
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CBS
Rank: 47
Actor: Matt LeBlanc
Show: "Man With a Plan"
Positive Q Score: 11*
Familiarity: 59*From Winter 2017 study
Also Read: 26 Major ‘Rick and Morty’ Ricks, Ranked From Least to Most Rick (Photos)
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TheWrap
Donal Logue, Jason Ritter, Adam Scott, Ben Feldman, Eric McCormack, Seth MacFarlane and Will Forte did not have Q Score data available, so let your mind race about those rankings.
Ladies, you're next.
Also Read: 34 Fall TV Actresses Ranked Most to Least Liked, From Pauley Perrette to America Ferrara (Photos)
Americans want to hang out with Jim Parsons and Mark Harmon. Jeremy Piven? Not so much
Just in time for the return of fall TV shows, TheWrap has exclusively ranked all 47 of Big 4 broadcast's leading men by their Positive Q Scores, an industry measure of likability.
Note: Each entry also includes a Familiarity score -- and if that is less than 20, the Q Score is considered less stable.
Also Read: 34 Fall TV Actresses Ranked Most to Least Liked, From Pauley Perrette to America Ferrara (Photos)