National Geographic signs Ron Howard to direct first-ever scripted series

Director Ron Howard has been tapped to helm the pilot of National Geographic's debut scripted series, "Genius", marking the cable network's first-ever scripted entry.

The anthology drama, based on the world's greatest innovators, has been order from Fox 21 TV Studios, Imagine TV, OddLot and EUE/Sokolow.

Season one will focus on Albert Einstein – with writer Noah Pink recruited to adapt Walter Isaacson's biography "Einstein: His Life and Universe" – although The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that the network has "envisioned multiple seasons for the program".

The initial season of "Genius", which has already been given a straight-to-series order, will start production this summer, with a premiere scheduled for next spring, in 171 countries and 45 languages.