The Greatest: Jaalen Best Plays Muhammad Ali in Prime Video Drama Arriving November 4

All eight episodes of a new drama about Muhammad Ali arrive on Prime Video on Wednesday, November 4. Amazon MGM Studios lists the series, called The Greatest, as an Original Series, and says it will be available worldwide.

Prime Video is Amazon's subscription streaming service. Releasing the whole season at once means viewers can watch every episode from the first day, rather than waiting for one each week.

Jaalen Best stars as Cassius Clay, the name Ali was born with, and later as Muhammad Ali. Amazon describes Best as a newcomer to the role, and he auditioned for the part, according to a Hollywood Reporter interview published on October 30.

The story starts in 1960, when Clay wins gold at the Olympic Games in Rome. The cast also includes Omari Hardwick, Dana Gourrier, Kai Parham, Amin Joseph, Michael Ealy and Giovanni Ribisi.

Ben Watkins created the series and is its showrunner, meaning he runs the writing and making of the show day to day. He also directed the first two episodes. Amazon lists him as an executive producer as well.

Prime Video ordered the series in July 2024. Amazon calls it the first authorised scripted series about Ali's life. Authorised means it is made with official approval from those who control his story, and it is a drama rather than a documentary.

Ali is one of the best-known sportsmen of the twentieth century, so a series about his early years will draw attention from people who know his story well and from those who do not. For viewers coming to it fresh, the season covers his rise from a young boxer in Louisville to a world champion, and the eight episodes give the story room to unfold over a full season.

Watkins also has another Amazon series on his record: he is the showrunner of Cross. For now, the focus is on The Greatest, which begins streaming on November 4.