Prime Video has announced a premiere date for The Greatest, the first authorized scripted series about the life of Muhammad Ali, revealing a first-look teaser at the 2026 Essence Festival in New Orleans. Creator, showrunner and executive producer Ben Watkins appeared alongside star Jaalen Best and cast members Dana Gourrier, Amin Joseph, Kai Parham and Michael Ealy for the announcement.
What is ‘The Greatest’ about?
According to the official description, the series is “an intimate exploration of the incomparable life of the boxing champion, humanitarian and global icon,” executive produced by Lonnie Ali, the widow of the late boxing legend, offering “unprecedented access and going beyond the amazing victories and defeats that made Ali a legend, both in and out of the ring.”
Watkins previously told Deadline, “It’s a show that’s designed to show you all the stuff that wasn’t in documentaries and isn’t available in terms of watching old fights and old interviews. We filmed Season 1, which starts in 1960 when he wins the gold medal and ends in 1964 when he wins the heavyweight title for the first time. In between, there is a coming-of-age story, and a very intimate coming of age story, that really shows a different side of Ali, who was then Cassius Clay.”
Who stars in ‘The Greatest’?
Best leads the cast as Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali. Omari Hardwick and Dana Gourrier play Ali’s parents Cassius “Cash” Clay Sr. and Odessa “Bird” Clay, respectively. Kai Parham plays Ali’s brother Rudy. Amin Joseph plays rival Sonny Liston and Michael Ealy plays Malcolm X, per Variety.
Ben Watkins serves as showrunner and executive producer alongside Lonnie Ali, Elizabeth Raposo for Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society, Corey Salter, Marc Rosen, Matthew Gross, Aiyana White, Jeff Augustin, Owen Shiflett and Josh Wakely for Grace: A Storytelling Company. Produced by Amazon MGM Studios alongside Watkins’ Blue Monday Productions, Outlier Society, Authentic Studios, Roc Nation and Polygram Entertainment.
When does ‘The Greatest’ premiere?
The Greatest premieres Nov. 4 on Prime Video.
Watch the teaser below:
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