Antonio Banderas to play Pablo Picasso in Season 2 of 'Genius'

Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Antonio Banderas has signed on to play Spanish painter Pablo Picasso in Season 2 of National Geographic's anthology series, Genius.

Set to return in 2018, the show from Fox 21 Television Studios will again be executive produced by Brian Grazer and Ron Howard's Imagine Entertainment, Madison Wells Media's OddLot Entertainment and EUE/Sokolow.

Production is to begin this fall on the 10 new episodes.

"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 Wednesday. "I am thrilled to work with National Geographic, Brian, Ron, Ken and the rest of the Genius team to tell an authentic story of one of the most innovative painters in the world."

  "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," added Howard. "He has such tremendous range as an actor, who I know will bring this brilliant and unconventional artist to life."

  "From Pancho Villa to Ernesto 'Che' Guevara, Antonio has had such a successful track record in portraying real-life, larger-than-life iconic figures with such honesty and depth. And with Picasso, I'm looking forward to seeing his interpretation of the man behind the artistic greatness," remarked Grazer.

Season 1 of Genius, starring Geoffrey Rush as scientist Albert Einstein, is currently up for 10 Emmy Awards.