Aretha poster

Aretha

(2021)

Overview

The third season explores Aretha Franklin’s musical genius and incomparable career, as well as the immeasurable impact and lasting influence she has had on music and culture around the world. Grammy Award winner Franklin was a gospel prodigy and outspoken civil rights champion; she is widely considered to be the greatest singer of the past 50 years, receiving countless honors throughout her career.

Cast

Cynthia Erivo as Aretha Franklin
Cynthia Erivo

as Aretha Franklin

Malcolm Barrett as Ted White
Malcolm Barrett

as Ted White

Patrice Covington as Erma Franklin
Patrice Covington

as Erma Franklin

Rebecca Naomi Jones as Carolyn Franklin
Rebecca Naomi Jones

as Carolyn Franklin

David Cross as Jerry Wexler
David Cross

as Jerry Wexler

Kimberly Hebert Gregory as Ruth Bowen
Shaian Jordan as young Aretha 'Little Re' Franklin
Shaian Jordan

as young Aretha 'Little Re' Franklin

Courtney B. Vance as C.L. Franklin
Courtney B. Vance

as C.L. Franklin

Episodes

Respect poster

Respect 7.8

March 21, 2021

Desperate for a hit, Aretha travels to Muscle Shoals in 1967 to record her first album with Atlantic Records. After suf…

Until the Real Thing Comes Along poster

Until the Real Thing Comes Along 7.0

March 21, 2021

Struggling to find her sound, Aretha catches the attention of Jerry Wexler at Atlantic Records in 1966. Meanwhile, Litt…

Do Right Woman poster

Do Right Woman 7.3

March 22, 2021

Aretha juggles her music career and her commitment to the civil rights movement, led by Martin Luther King Jr., in 1967…

Unforgettable poster

Unforgettable 7.0

March 22, 2021

Aretha is featured on the cover of Time Magazine in 1968, but she’s devastated when the article focuses on the scandalo…

Young, Gifted and Black poster

Young, Gifted and Black 7.3

March 23, 2021

Aretha, inspired by Angela Davis and the Soledad Brothers, records her protest album “Young, Gifted and Black” in 1970.…

Amazing Grace poster

Amazing Grace 7.3

March 23, 2021

Aretha records her best-selling live Gospel album “Amazing Grace” in 1972 at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church, igno…

Chain of Fools poster

Chain of Fools 7.7

March 24, 2021

As the Queen of Soul enters the age of disco, Aretha will do anything to remain relevant—including stealing an opportun…

No One Sleeps poster

No One Sleeps 8.0

March 24, 2021

Despite significant emotional losses, including a second divorce and the death of her father in 1984, Aretha pushes her…