The Big Cigar which recently started streaming on Apple TV+ is a thriller series about Black Panther Party founder Huey P. Newton.
Starring André Holland and Alessandro Nivola, the series has become the talk of the town since the show features names of real-life personalities like Newton and Schneider, leading it to believe whether ‘The Big Cigar’ is based on a true story.
Plot
The Big Cigar is a biographical drama thriller miniseries developed by Jim Hecht, based on the 2012 Playboy article of the same name by Joshuah Bearman.
Set in 1974, the series chronicles the manhunt for Huey P. Newton, the founder of the Black Panther Party, who seeks the help of film producer Bert Schneider as he tries to escape to Cuba.
Is it based on a true story?
Well yes! The Big Cigar is based on a fascinating true story that many may find difficult to believe. So, The Big Cigar does tell an unbelievable true story; however, the creators have taken some creative liberties to make the narrative more engaging and dramatic.
Who was Huey P. Newton?
Newton founded the Black Panther Party alongside fellow activist Bobby Seale in 1966, cementing the organization’s efforts with their 10-point manifesto.
The party originally concentrated on Black Americans’ right to self-defense in the face of rampant racism and police brutality, with many armed protests.
In 1967, Newton was pulled over by police officer John Frey, a confrontation occurred and both men were shot, and Frey died from his injuries.
Newton was charged and convicted of involuntary manslaughter over Frey’s death, kickstarting the widespread “Free Huey” movement from Newton’s supporters. In 1970, following appeals and pressure from the movement, Newton’s conviction was overturned and he was released, now a national celebrity.
While Newton was in prison, the Black Panther Party expanded into community support programs, starting dozens of food banks, healthcare services, and, most famously, the Free Breakfast for Children program.
Four years after Newton’s release, he was charged with the murder of 17-year-old sex worker Kathleen Smith. Eleven days later he was booked on assault charges for pistol-whipping his tailor, Preston Callins.
Facing these charges, Newton chose to flee to Mexico and then Cuba where he lived with his wife and fellow Black Panther Gwen Fontaine. He returned to the US in 1977, facing two trials that ended in deadlocked juries and eventual mistrials.
Cast
André Holland as Huey P. Newton
Tiffany Boone as Gwen Fontaine
Alessandro Nivola as Bert Schneider
Marc Menchaca as Sydney Clark
J. Byrne as Stephen Blauner
Where is it streaming?
The series premiered on Apple TV+ on May 17, 2024, with its first two episodes.
