André Holland (Moonlight, Shirley) will take on the role of Black Panther Party leader Huey P. Newton in Apple TV+’s upcoming limited series, “The Big Cigar.”
Based on Joshuah Bearman’s 2012 article of the same name for Playboy magazine, the series tells the wild story of Newton’s 1974 effort to elude the FBI with the help of movie producer Bert Schneider, who coordinates a fake movie production to aid in his escape to Cuba.
The six-episode limited series, which will have its first two episodes directed and executive produced by Don Cheadle, will feature an ensemble cast including Alessandro Nivola, Glynn Turman, Jordane Christie, Marc Menchaca, PJ Byrne, Samora Smallwood, Tiffany Boone, and more.
“This isn’t a traditional biopic,” Smallwood exclusively tells rolling out. “It’s a fresh take on Newton that examines his character, inner conflicts, and romantic relationships, among other things. It’s a fun, fast-paced escape caper under the guise of a Hollywood production with the FBI hot on the heels of a young black leader who was about to change America.”
“The Big Cigar” will debut on Apple TV+ on May 17.
Check out the trailer below.
