Prime Video’s Muhammad Ali Series ‘The Greatest’ Begins Production; Ben Watkins Set To Direct

EXCLUSIVE: Prime Video‘s limited series The Greatest has begun production in Toronto.

Ben Watkins (Cross)showrunner and executive producer via his Blue Monday Productions banner, will direct the first two episodes of the first-ever authorized scripted series about Muhammad Ali’s life. Ali’s widow, Lonnie Ali, is an executive producer of the project alongside Michael B. Jordan through his Outlier Society banner, which has an overall deal with Amazon MGM Studios.

The 8-episode series will feature defining moments in Ali’s life and career, both in and out of the ring, that have been well documented, and moments that took place outside the spotlight. The world remembers an icon, but The Greatest is about a man, a husband, a father, a brother, and a son.

Jaalen Best leads the cast, portraying Ali, the legendary boxing legend, in a series regular role. Rounding out the leading cast are Omari Hardwick and Dana Gourrier, who will star as Cassius “Cash” Clay Sr. and his wife Odessa “Bird” Clay, respectively, parents of Muhammad Ali and Rudy Clay. Kai Parham plays Ali’s brother and fellow boxer, Rudy. Amin Joseph will play Sonny Liston, Ali’s rival and the heavyweight champion. In a recurring role, Michael Ealy will (finally) play Malcolm X.

Both Watkins and Best spent time with Lonnie Ali in Muhammad Ali’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Photos can be found above.

Alongside Watkins and Jordan, Outlier Society president Elizabeth Raposo will executive produce with Lonnie Ali, Authentic Brand Group’s Corey Salter, Marc Rosen, and Matthew Gross. Additional executive producers will include Aiyana White and Jeff Augustin; Roc Nation; Michele Anthony, Boyd Muir, and co-EP David Blackman for Polygram; and Josh Wakely via his Grace: A Storytelling Company. Stefano Agosto, Executive Vice President of Television at Outlier Society, will also oversee the project on behalf of the company.