What is The Big Cigar about?

‘The Big Cigar’ narrates the compelling true story of Huey P. Newton, an iconic figure in the Black Panther Party, as he becomes the target of an FBI manhunt in the late 1960s. The series presents a gripping account of Newton's alliance with Bert Schneider, a prominent Hollywood producer known for his countercultural film projects and political activism. As Newton seeks Schneider’s help to flee to Cuba and avoid prosecution, the show delves into the complex dynamics between government surveillance, political dissent, and the unlikely camaraderie that forms between an embattled activist and a cinema magnate. It additionally sheds light on the era's cultural and social contexts, exploring how the paths of two very different individuals converge during a period of intense societal change. The ensemble cast features André Holland as Huey P. Newton and Alessandro Nivola as Bert Schneider, among other talents portraying historical and fictional characters that enrich the narrative. ‘The Big Cigar’ offers a multilayered look at the challenge of maintaining personal ideology in the face of overwhelming opposition, the power of unexpected alliances, and the influence of the film industry on political discourse.

The first episode of The Big Cigar aired on May 16, 2024 and the most recent episode to air was on May 16, 2024.