André Holland takes on the role of real-life figure Huey P. Newton in Apple TV+’s upcoming limited series “The Big Cigar.” The series, based on Joshuah Bearman’s magazine article of the same name, delves into the daring escape of Black Panther Party founder Huey P. Newton from the FBI to Cuba.
Directed and executive produced by Don Cheadle, the series boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Tiffany Boone, PJ Byrne, Marc Menchaca, Moses Ingram, Rebecca Dalton, Olli Haaskivi, Jordane Christie, and Glynn Turman. Janine Sherman Barrois leads as showrunner, with Jim Hecht penning the first episode.
“The story I’m about to tell you is how I, Huey P. Newton, the Black Panther Party founder, was set free into a prison.” -Newton (Holland) says in the newly released trailer which sets the stage for his daring tale of escape from prison. The six-episode limited series follows Newton’s ambitious plan to flee from the FBI to Cuba with the help of renowned producer Bert Schneider, played by Alessandro Nivola, in a meticulously orchestrated scheme involving a fake movie production.
“The Big Cigar” is set to premiere on Friday, May 17, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education ruling.