Unlock the Secrets of Apple TV+ Hit Series “The Big Cigar”
Apple TV+’s new drama seriesThe Big Cigarpromises an intense and wild ride, as evidenced by an exclusive clip that shows a seemingly innocuous phone call potentially leading to dire consequences. The series tells the incredible true story of how Black Panther founder Huey P. Newton, portrayed by André Holland, attempted to escape from the FBI to Cuba with the assistance of famed producer Bert Schneider (Alessandro Nivola) in an elaborate plan involving a fake movie production that went awry in every possible way.
The Big Cigar Episode 103: Diving Into “Guns & Matzah”
In the clip from episode 103 titled “Guns & Matzah,” the tensions between Huey and Eldridge (Glynn Turman), as well as Bert and Steve (PJ Byrne), escalate, underscoring the treacherous road ahead as their Cuban revolution meets Hollywood’s social upheaval. The renowned ensemble cast also includes Tiffany Boone, Marc Menchaca, Moses Ingram, Rebecca Dalton, Olli Haaskivi, and Jordane Christie.
The Big Cigar: A Deeper Dive into the Real Huey P. Newton
Holland, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, published May 18, shared his initial reaction to the script, saying, “When I first read it, I was like, ‘Is this true?’ But Joshuah Bearman, who wrote the original article, did such a great job and researched it for a very long time, and spoke to everybody. I think we can trust that the things he identified as being true and that are undergirded by facts are really what happened. We fictionalized some things in the series for sure, but it is inspired by true events.”
Exploring the Humanity of Huey P. Newton in The Big Cigar
While the six-episode limited series revolves around a high-stakes heist of sorts, The Big Cigar aims to go beyond the surface-level thrills. Adapted from Joshua Bearman’s 2012 Playboy article of the same name, the television show delves into the personal facets of Huey P. Newton’s life, exploring his motivations as a social revolutionary.
Bringing History to Life: The Importance of Authenticity
“I wanted to know how much of the history of the Panthers are we going to be able to get into because the story on its face is a caper, essentially, about getting Huey out of the country. If not done well, I felt concerned that it could gloss over the important historical moments that I wanted to make sure we touched,” Holland told The Hollywood Reporter.