Genius Aretha: Until the Real Thing Comes Along (Season 3, Episode 2)
TV-14
TV Episode | 47 min | Biography, Drama, History

Primary photo for Aretha: Until the Real Thing Comes Along

Genius

Aretha: Until the Real Thing Comes Along (Season 3, Episode 2)

TV-14

TV Episode | 47 min | Biography, Drama, History

Aretha politely tells her father she doesn't need financial support, nor to sing at his engagements. Ted White and her father both try to usurp control over her which leaves Aretha with difficult but necessary choices she needs to make.

Showrunner

Suzan-Lori Parks

Director

Neema Barnette

Writers

Suzan-Lori Parks (created by) | Diana Son (written by) | Phillip Howze (staff writer) | Natalie McKearin (staff writer) & 3 more

Producers

Peter Afterman | Ed Cathell III (produced by) | Suzan-Lori Parks

Composer

Cinematographer

Editor

Casting Director

Production Designer

See all filmmakers & crew (233)

Edit Released

Updated Mar 21, 2021

Release date

Mar 21, 2021 (United States)

Awards

Series awards

Won 2 Primetime Emmy Awards. Another 6 wins & 68 nominations

Contacts

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Cast	+ Add Cast
33 cast members

Name	Known for
Cynthia Erivo Aretha Franklin Aretha Franklin See fewer	Harriet (I) (2019)
Malcolm Barrett Ted White Ted White See fewer	Timeless (2016)
Patrice Covington Erma Franklin Erma Franklin See fewer	Chicago P.D. (2014)
Rebecca Naomi Jones Carolyn Franklin Carolyn Franklin See fewer	Genius (2017)
David Cross Jerry Wexler Jerry Wexler See fewer	Arrested Development (2003)
Kimberly Hebert Gregory Ruth Bowen (credit only) (as Kimberly Hébert Gregory) Ruth Bowen (credit only) (as Kimberly Hébert Gregory) See fewer	Vice Principals (2016)
Shaian Jordan Little Re Little Re See fewer	Genius (2017)
Courtney B. Vance C.L. Franklin C.L. Franklin See fewer	The Hunt for Red October (1990)
Pauletta Washington Rachel Franklin Rachel Franklin See fewer	Philadelphia (1993)
Phil Armijo Hudson Gate Bartender Hudson Gate Bartender See fewer	Class of '09 (2023)
Chris Charm Tom Tom See fewer	Hillbilly Elegy (2020)
Colette L. Coward Aretha Piano Hand Double (as Collette Coward) Aretha Piano Hand Double (as Collette Coward) See fewer	The Hate U Give (2018)
Tina Fears Clara Ward Clara Ward See fewer	Georgia Sky
Bri'anna Harper Little Re Singing Double Little Re Singing Double See fewer	Genius (2017)
Rashal James Man at Party Man at Party See fewer	The Idea of You (2024)
Torrey Laamar Ronnie Ronnie See fewer	Blackbird (IV) (2014)
Brittney Level Sex Circus Woman #1 Sex Circus Woman #1 See fewer	A Savannah Haunting (2021)
Shayla Love Sister Birdy Sister Birdy See fewer	Phantosmia (2016)
Iman Marshall Lena Horne Lena Horne See fewer	The Lovebirds (2020)
Malik McCall Marshall Marshall See fewer	Genius (2017)
Brent McGee TV Producer TV Producer See fewer	The Avengers (2012)
Clay Neal Sister May Sister May See fewer	After We Collided (2020)
Nick Rosen Lounge Pianist Lounge Pianist See fewer	Turn Up the Love: Connecting to Pride (2023)
Otis Sallid Cholly Atkins Cholly Atkins See fewer	Summer of Sam (1999)
Ivory Shields Woman at Party Woman at Party See fewer	Triptych (2017)
Amber Reign Smith Sex Circus Woman #2 Sex Circus Woman #2 See fewer	Outlaw Posse (2024)
Kevin Stillwell John Hammond John Hammond See fewer	Looper (2012)
Brian Troxell Uncle Terry Uncle Terry See fewer	Hawkeye (2021)
Tywayne Wheatt Brother Birdy Brother Birdy See fewer	The Out-Laws (2023)
Vinny Costa Concert Goer (uncredited) Concert Goer (uncredited) See fewer	The Best of Enemies (2019)
Travis Stevenson Congregation Member (uncredited) Congregation Member (uncredited) See fewer	Coming 2 America (2021)
Berry Williams Jr. Man at Party (uncredited) Man at Party (uncredited) See fewer	Tyler Perry's Divorce in the Black (2024)
Michelle L. Williams Church Goer (uncredited) Church Goer (uncredited) See fewer	Megalopolis (2024)