Speeches and interviews revealed only part of Malcolm’s story. His influence has shaped cultural consciousness for six decades. Beyond his public image, Ealy wanted to understand how Malcolm loved his wife and behaved when the cameras were off.
To gain that perspective, Ealy spoke with Ambassador Attallah Shabazz, Malcolm X’s daughter. Her insights helped shape his portrayal in The Greatest. The new series explores Cassius Clay’s transformation into Muhammad Ali, a global icon, activist, and one of the most consequential figures of the twentieth century.
During an interview with Porsha Monique for According to Porsha, Ealy explained why Ali’s story matters today. He also discussed Malcolm’s relationship with the young boxer and the struggles that remain relevant decades later.
There is never a bad time to tell this story, but right now matters most
Muhammad Ali’s story is known around the world. What made now the right time to revisit it, and what did this team believe audiences still had not seen?
“I don’t know if there’s ever a bad time to show the coming-of-age story of a man who stood by his conviction and risked it all to do that. That story will always be relevant.
“However, a lot of people have heard of Muhammad Ali without ever seeing the journey. They have not seen Cassius Clay becoming Muhammad Ali, and then Muhammad Ali becoming a global icon, activist, and figure.
“That journey matters enormously, especially right now, because in so many ways we have not learned from the past.
“So we have to take the time to acknowledge that this was happening in our grandparents’ and great-grandparents’ generation, and that we are still fighting the good fight. I salute Ben Watkins for having the courage to confront that directly.”
He asked Ambassador Shabazz one question before anything else
Malcolm X’s voice and presence are instantly recognized to this day. What did you need to understand about his private and emotional life before you could move beyond resemblance and inhabit the man himself?
“The first question I asked his daughter, Ambassador Shabazz, was what kind of father was he. Because I do not think we have seen that version of him.
“This project is not built around showing him take his kids to the playground or anything like that. However, it was critical for me to understand that before I could inhabit the man.
“How much did he love on his wife? How much did he look to her? How did he feel about her? All of the answers I received informed what I was trying to bring to the character.
“They also shaped my general understanding of who he was as a man, far more than the documented speeches and interviews and his historical presence in our cultural memory. That private understanding was very important. It was the foundation.”
Malcolm struggled with the decision to bring Cassius into the Nation
This series follows Ali fighting for the right to become his own man. In your portrayal, how does Malcolm help him claim that independence, and where does guiding someone become complicated when they begin choosing for themselves?
“One of the things Malcolm learns shortly after meeting young Cassius is that, as complicated as it is to welcome him into the Nation, it is not actually his decision to make. That decision lies with the Honorable Elijah Muhammad.
“Additionally, at this point Malcolm already has his own fractured relationship with the Nation. So there is a complicated version of this in which he is not entirely sure he wants to bring this young, impressionable man into the Nation at this particular moment.
“But from the beginning, you understand that this is not going to be as simple as Malcolm saying no and Cassius walking away.
“Cassius is determined. He wants to become a Muslim, a member of the Nation, a voice for the Nation, and he simply will not take no for an answer.
“That determination makes Malcolm not only respect him but push harder on his behalf before the decision is even made. Over time, you realize that Muhammad Ali’s conviction was authentic and real, even at such a young age. It was never a haphazard decision. It was who he genuinely was.”
Created by Ben Watkins, The Greatest premieres November 4 on Prime Video, with all eight episodes available exclusively on the streaming platform. The series explores Muhammad Ali’s journey from Cassius Clay to a global icon, activist, and cultural figure.
Source: According to Porsha, featuring Porsha Monique and Michael Ealy
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