According to Deadline, Michael Ealy (Barbershop, Power Book II: Ghost) and Kai Parham (Colin In Black & White, Vows) have officially joined the cast of The Greatest, an upcoming limited series for Prime Video that chronicles the life of boxing legend Muhammad Ali. The series comes from executive producer Michael B. Jordan (Sinners, Creed) and showrunner Ben Watkins (Cross, Burn Notice).
Parham is set to portray Rudy Clay, Ali’s younger brother, in a series regular role. Ealy, long seen by fans as a top choice for the part, will take on the recurring role of civil rights leader Malcolm X. While this marks Ealy’s first time playing Malcolm X in a scripted project, he has previously recited readings of the activist’s speeches in the documentary The People Speak.
Jaalen Best (All American: Homecoming) has been cast in the lead role as Muhammad Ali, with the story aiming to explore both the public and private sides of the iconic athlete. According to Deadline, the show will highlight not only Ali’s career-defining moments in the ring but also his personal relationships and evolution outside the spotlight. The narrative will cover his time with the Nation of Islam, of which Malcolm X was a prominent figure until their ideological split in the 1960s.
The previously announced cast includes Omari Hardwick (Army Of The Dead, Power) and Dana Gourrier (Django Unchained, The Hateful Eight) as Ali’s parents, Cassius “Cash” Clay Sr. and Odessa “Bird” Clay. Amin Joseph (One Of Them Days, Snowfall) will play Sonny Liston, Ali’s fierce rival and former heavyweight champion, whom Ali famously defeated in 1964.
Executive producers of The Greatest include Watkins, Jordan, Muhammad Ali’s widow Lonnie Ali, Elizabeth Raposo (61st Street, Creed III), Marc Rosen (Agent Elvis, Christmas At Graceland) and many others.
Ealy’s recent smaller credits include roles in The Afterparty, Bel-Air, and The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window.
Parham, who began acting at age 11, holds a B.A. in Theatre, Acting & Directing from Concordia University Irvine. He’s known for his work on Colin In Black & White, Disney+’s Encore!, and the web series Side Quest, which he also wrote and directed.
The casting of Ealy and Parham was first reported by Deadline.
