Prime Video's Muhammad Ali drama The Greatest has climbed to the top of the streamer's chart. The eight-episode series reached No. 1 on Prime Video two days after its Nov. 4 premiere, according to FlixPatrol data cited by CBR, passing Reacher, Neagley, The Terminal List and Carrie.
Jaalen Best stars as Ali, with Amin Joseph as Sonny Liston. Ben Watkins created the series and serves as showrunner, and Michael B. Jordan and Ali's widow, Lonnie Ali, are among its executive producers. The series also holds an 88% score on Rotten Tomatoes, CBR reported. Giovanni Ribisi also appears, and Stacey Muhammad, Craig Siebels and Watkins are among the directors.
Watkins has a plan for more rounds
Prime Video has not ordered a second season. But Watkins told TheWrap that one is being discussed and that the first season's reception will be a deciding factor.
The first season covers 1960 to 1964, following Ali from his Olympic gold medal in Rome to winning the heavyweight title against Liston. Watkins said a second season would cover 1967 to 1971, including Ali's draft ban and his "Fight of the Century" with Joe Frazier. A third season would span 1974 to 1977, with a flash-forward to 1996.
The series is billed as the first authorized scripted project about Ali's life. A quick rise to No. 1 gives the Black-led drama the kind of early audience momentum Watkins said will factor into whether the story continues.
Cup of Soul has covered the series closely, including our review, conversations with the cast and producers and Watkins on why he almost passed on the project.
