Amazon debuts Ali drama
Jaalen Best stars in an eight-episode biopic that focuses on the boxer's early career and conversion to the Nation of Islam.
By Mariam Saleh ·
Amazon released the first season of The Greatest on November 3, 2026. The eight-episode limited series chronicles the early life of Cassius Clay, who later became Muhammad Ali. Creator Ben Watkins directed the first two episodes. The series is an authorized biography that covers Clay's time as a young heavyweight contender in the early 1960s.
Jaalen Best portrays Clay. Best is a relatively unknown actor who takes on the physical and vocal challenge of depicting the boxer. The performance captures Clay's transition from a soft-spoken young man in Louisville to a braggadocious public figure. The series depicts Clay's gold medal victory at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. It then follows his return to Kentucky to choose between professional boxing and academic pursuits.
The cast includes Omari Hardwick as Cassius Clay Sr., Dana Gourrier as Odessa Clay, and Kai Parham as Rudy Clay. Giovanni Ribisi plays trainer Angelo Dundee. Amin Joseph portrays heavyweight champion Sonny Liston. Michael Ealy plays Malcolm X, and Chris Jericho makes a single appearance as wrestler Gorgeous George. The series juxtaposes Clay's rise with the civil rights movement and his growing affiliation with the Nation of Islam.
Watkins structures the narrative to include both well-known historical events and lesser-known incidents. The show depicts the boxing establishment's resistance to Clay and Liston due to their race and religion. It presents the boxing world as a controlled environment where Floyd Patterson remains the preferred champion. The series includes fight scenes that stay close to historical records. These include Clay's bout with Henry Cooper in London and his first fight against Liston.
The first season ends with Clay's preparation for his first shot at the heavyweight crown. The narrative emphasizes the personal costs of his fame. Odessa worries about the physical risks of boxing for a young man. Cassius Sr. struggles with his role as manager and painter. The series uses the eight-episode format to develop the motivations of these supporting characters. It shows how the boxing world views progress differently depending on the individual's background.
The production leans into legendary anecdotes, such as the casting of Clay's Olympic medal into the Ohio River. The show presents this event as a factual response to prejudice in 1960s Kentucky. The first season serves as a build-up to Clay's transformation into Muhammad Ali. It sets the stage for future seasons that would cover his Vietnam protest, exile from boxing, and major title fights.
