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. […]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.
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 ’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.
Amazon Studios
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.
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Best spent time with Lonnie Ali in Muhammad Ali’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky (Photo 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.
Watkins most recently served as the executive producer and creator of the Amazon Original hit series Cross, which hit 40 million viewers in its first 20 days of streaming, making it Prime Video’s third-biggest series launch and sixth-biggest season launch of all time. Additionally, he created and served as executive producer for Hand of God (Prime Video), executive producer for Burn Notice (USA), Truth Be Told (Apple), and Wu-Tang: An American Saga (Hulu).
Alongside his wife Kandi Watkins, Ben Watkins founded Blue Monday Productions. In addition to Cross and The Greatest, the production company has a significant slate of upcoming projects in development. Their Breakthrough Artist Program – a three-month paid apprenticeship for writing, producing and/or directing – focuses on increasing access and accelerating the learning curve for artists who have demonstrated exceptional talent, a commitment to community, and giving back. He is represented by UTA and Hirsch Wallerstein Hayum Matlof and Fishman.