"The Greatest" Review : Prime Video's Latest Series Packs a Powerful Punch.
Television writer and director Ben Watkins continues his successful partnership with Prime Video with "The Greatest", an eight-episode look at Cassius Clay before he became Muhammad Ali. Michael B. Jordan and Ali’s widow, Lonnie, serve as executive producers, while Watkins handles showrunner duties and directs the opening two episodes. A.V. Rockwell, Craig Siebels, and Stacey Muhammad also direct, with Maria Warith-Wade, Aiyana White, and Josh Wakely among the writers.
Rather than attempt another cradle-to-grave biography, the series focuses on a defining stretch of Clay’s youth. That restraint pays off. The pacing is strong, the storytelling has room to breathe, and even longtime Ali admirers may discover a few details they didn't know.
The smartest decision was handing the title role to Jaalen Best. Much like 42 gave the late Chadwick Boseman an opportunity to announce himself, The Greatest feels like a breakout. Best isn't interested in impersonating Ali. He builds Clay from the ground up, capturing the voice, the confidence, the mischievous charm, and the artistry inside the ropes without forgetting the uncertain young man beneath the bravado.
Watkins also refuses to separate Clay's success from the country he lived in. Louisville cheers its Olympic champion while denying Black residents basic dignity. His mother, Odessa “Bird” Clay (Dana Gourrier), endures casual humiliations working for wealthy white women. Those moments help explain why Clay's growing interest in the Nation of Islam resonates. Michael Ealy is effective as Malcolm X, a man who understands the personal and professional consequences of Clay's spiritual awakening.
Alongside brother Rudy (Kai Parham), Clay heads to Miami to train under Angelo Dundee (Giovanni Ribisi), where his development goes beyond footwork and combinations. It's here that the future champion begins to understand the power of his name, his platform, and the choices waiting outside the ring in an increasingly divided America.
The supporting cast adds depth. Omari Hardwick delivers some of his strongest work since Power as Clay's father, a loving but deeply troubled man whose alcoholism poisons his household. Amin Joseph similarly refuses to reduce Sonny Liston to a one-note villain. His quieter scenes with Geraldine (Erica Tazel) reveal the vulnerability beneath the intimidating public image.
Some viewers may find the racial commentary heavy-handed, but the era wasn't subtle. Imagine winning Olympic gold, receiving a hometown parade, then being turned away from a lunch counter selling a “Gold Medal Burger” named in your honor. The contradiction speaks for itself.
Ultimately, this is Best's show. His performance grows right alongside Clay's swagger, and by the final round, "The Greatest" has earned its title.
Final Grade : B+
"The Greatest" premiers on Prime Video on Tuesday.
