EXCLUSIVE: Kai Parham (Colin in Black and White) and Michael Ealy (Power Book II: Ghost, Reasonable Doubt) have joined the cast of Prime Video‘s The Greatest, a limited series about the life of Muhammad Ali (Jaalen Best), from executive producer Michael B. Jordan and executive producer/showrunner Ben Watkins.
The series will feature the 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.
In a series regular role, Parham will play Rudy Clay, Ali’s younger brother. In a recurring role, Ealy will (finally) play Malcolm X.
Throughout his career, Ealy’s name has been mentioned repeatedly as the actor fans would most like to see portray Malcolm X. Although this will be the first time Ealy will embody the Civil Rights and Black Muslim movement leader in fiction, he has previously performed live readings of Malcolm X’s words, including in the documentary film The People Speak.
Ali joined the Nation of Islam, for which Malcolm X was a passionate spokesperson until 1964, before cutting ties in the 1970s.
World heavyweight champion Mohammed Ali, formerly Cassius Clay, is interviewed by a reporter in front of the United Nations with his brother, Rudolph Valentino Clay, Black Muslim leader Malcolm X, and Nigerian ambassador to the UN S.O. Adebo (l to r).
Bettmann/Getty
The previously announced cast includes Omari Hardwick and Dana Gourrier, who will star as Cassius “Cash” Clay Sr. and his wife Odessa “Bird” Clay, respectively, parents of Muhammed Ali and Rudy Clay.
Snowfall star Amin Joseph will play Sonny Liston, Ali’s rival and the heavyweight champion. Liston had been considered unbeatable until he lost the title in 1964 to loud-mouthed underdog Muhammad Ali (then known as Cassius Clay).
The Greatest is produced by Michael B. Jordan’s Outlier Society, which has an overall deal with Amazon MGM Studios, Watkins’ Blue Monday Productions, Authentic Studios, Roc Nation, Polygram Entertainment, a Universal Music Group partner, and Grace: A Storytelling Company.
Watkins, Jordan, and Outlier Society president Elizabeth Raposo executive produce alongside Ali’s widow, Lonnie Ali, Authentic Brand Group’s Corey Salter, Marc Rosen and Matthew Gross, Roc Nation, Michele Anthony, Boyd Muir and Josh Wakely via his Grace: A Storytelling Company. Aiyana White and Jeff Augustin are also executive producers. Co-executive producing is David Blackman for Polygram.
Ealy was recently seen in the hit Starz series Power Book II: Ghost and will next be seen starring opposite Taylor Kitsch in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf for Amazon MGM Studios. He previously starred in Onyx Collective’s Hulu series Reasonable Doubt and guest-starred on Peacock’s Bel-Air and The Afterparty for Apple TV. He co-starred opposite Kristen Bell in the dark comedy series The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window for Netflix and the ABC drama series Stumptown.
His film credits include Netflix’s Fatale, the Lionsgate film The Devil You Know with Omar Epps, the Sony thriller The Intruder, and the Macro/Netflix film Really Love. He executive produced and starred in the Sony thriller The Perfect Guy, for which he received an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture. Ealy is repped by Anonymous Content and Gersh Agency.
Parham began his acting journey at 11 with his first role as Donkey in Shrek the Musical before developing his craft further at Concordia University Irvine, where he earned a B.A. in Theatre, Acting & Directing. He professionally transitioned into the entertainment industry through a series of commercials, voiceovers, and supporting acting roles, including Colin in Black & White, created by Colin Kaepernick and Ava DuVernay, and an appearance on Disney’s Encore!. He wrote and directed the web series Side Quest. Parham is repped by Arise Artists Agency.
