With the rise of the podcast inevitably comes the big-budget spinoffs, with the hugely successful podcast,Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist, receiving that very treatment. Based on true events surroundingMuhammad Ali’s return to boxing in 1970, the miniseries follows the events of his winning return to the ring -a night that saw the eyes of the world watching- and the infamous afterparty that saw hundreds of guests held at gunpoint and robbed.
Created byShaye Ogbonna, the miniseries promises to be one of themost exciting additions to Peacock’s September lineup, thanks in no small part to an ensemble cast littered with icons.From Academy Award nominees to superstar singers and MCU icons, the prospect of bringing to life such a jaw-dropping true event - and playing some eye-catching real figures - was too enticing to pass up for these stars. So, with that in mind, here’s a look at exactly who is appearing inFight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.
Kevin Hart
Gordon “Chicken Man” Williams
The man at the very heart of Fight Night, Gordon “Chicken Man” Williams is theunpredictable organizer of the afterpartyand a man with links to criminal activity, initially leading police to suspect him of being involved with the heist. Speaking toVanity Fair, executive producer Will Packer said of the character:
“Chicken Man loves the streets because they feed him. He’s a numbers runner, and in order to be good at that, you’ve got to know people — be charismatic, be fast-talking. So, when he gets into a place where his street life [and] his home life are all at odds, he is forced to take an unflinching look at himself and who he is in the mirror. It’s tough.”
Kevin Hartis possibly the most famous comedian on the planet, with his name attached to a project almost always turning to financial and ratings success. A stand-up comic who blends cultural satire with quick gags, he transitioned into the world of Hollywood and never looked back,carving out a career that sees him today as one of the highest-paid talents in the industry.
Taraji P. Henson
Vivian Thomas
The mistress to Hart’s Chicken Man, Vivian Thomas is a strong, forward-thinking woman, withTaraji P. Hensondescribing her as a force to be reckoned with. “The woman pays attention, and what I love is she finally gets her power,” Henson toldVanity Fair.“Any obstacle that she faces, she uses that as a way to learn something and to springboard her into the next place she’s trying to go in life.”
The ever-brilliant Henson has had a dazzling career in movies and television, including awonderful turn in the recentColor Purple, highlighted by an impressive trophy cabinet that includes a Golden Globe Award, nominations for an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and six Emmy Awards.Twice named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time Magazine, Henson is a queen of her craft and a sparkling addition toFight Night’s cast.
Samuel L. Jackson
Frank Moten
Among the guests at the afterparty were some seriously dangerous individuals, one of whom was an alleged member of the Black Mafia Family, thesuave, suited-and-booted Frank Moten, also known as “The Black Godfather.”
It’s almost difficult to quite summarize the legendary careerSamuel L. Jacksonhas had, which has included work in movies and television that dates back to 1972. Now 75 years old, Jackson shows no signs of slowing down, havingrecently appeared in the likes ofArgylle, Damaged,andThe Garfield Movie. An awards darling, despite never managing to grab an Oscar, Jackson looks to the 2025 ceremony with an eye on a Best Supporting Prize, with rumors circulating he could be an early favorite thanks to his performance inMalcolm Washington’sThe Piano Lesson.
Terrence Howard
Richard “Cadillac Richie” Wheeler
A gangster in his own right, Richard “Cadillac Richie” Wheeler is a member of the Council of 12, a crime syndicate that boasts Jackson’s Frank as one of their leaders.
The awe-inspiring range ofTerrence Howardhas helped keep him on screens for more than 30 years, dating all the way back to his first small role as a customer in 1993’sWho’s the Man. Fast-forward three decades and Howard is one of the best in the business, appearing in three 2024 projects alongsideFight Night, including as Mark inSkeletons in the Closet, Arthur inShirley, andBrian inCrescent City. Howard has won a Screen Actors Guild Award as well as earningnominations for an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, and two Independent Spirit Awards.
Don Cheadle
On the night of the heist, JD Hudson was leading security for the big fight. After the crime had been committed, the detective would be placed front and center on the case, with his literal closeness to the event making him a great fit for the role. Interestingly,Hudson was the first Black detective in Atlanta’s desegregated police force.
The iconicDon Cheadleis many people’s favorite actor, thanks to numerous standout roles across a storied career. From his earlier roles in the likes ofDevil in a Blue Dressand thebreathtakingBoogie Nightsto his work both in front of and behind the camera of the Academy Award-winningCrash, right through to his stellar work in the MCU, there seems to be nothing Cheadle hasn’t done.A Grammy, Tony, Golden Globe, and SAG Award winner, he is one of many notable additions toFight Night’s cast.
Marsha Stephanie Blake
Delores Hudson
Hard-working teacher, mother to two children, and wife of detective Hudson, Delores is an important addition toFight Nightin order tobring a grounded dynamic to this frankly mind-boggling true story.
The Jamaica-bornMarsha Stephanie Blakeis a woman who took to acting later in her life, with her first on-screen role coming as Jada in the short filmA-Alikewhen she was almost 30. Nevertheless, the subsequent 20 years have seen wonderful success for the actress, with her most notable turn coming as Linda McCray in the Netflix miniseriesWhen They See Us, a role thatearned her a Primetime Emmy nomination for her trouble.
Dexter Darden
Image via Peacock
Of course,this story wouldn’t be complete without the man himself, with Muhammad Ali dodging the draft and returning to winning ways in the boxing ring, only for his return to be marred by the horrifying events of the afterparty.
Many have portrayed boxing’s greatest on-screen -perhaps most notably Will Smith in 2001- withDexter Dardenbeing offered the role forFight Night. A true Hollywood prodigy, Darden has thus far proven his abilities in all threeMaze Runnermovies, as well as in another Peacock project, the recent revival of the hit seriesSaved by the Bell.
Lori Harvey
Lola Fafana
Known as the “Queen of Las Vegas” in the 1960s and 1970s, Lola Fofana was a magnificent star who oozed style, making a name for herself as a superstar singer in the bright lights of high-end showbusiness.
Step-daughter ofSteve Harvey,Lori Harvey’s journey on-screen is still relatively new, withFight Nightmarking one of her first big roles. Alas, to be surrounded by such talent will onlyhelp to cement her ability and guide her along the path to a bright future, one that will also include more of her incredible modeling work that has, so far, included starring in campaigns for Burberry and Michael Kors.
Sinqua Walls
McKinley Rogers
McKinley Rogers was one of three men who were formally accused of theFight Nightheist, an event also dubbed the Atlanta heist.
He will be portrayed by the brilliantSinqua Walls, whose filmography includes appearances in the likes ofOnce Upon a Time,Power, andAmerican Soul. Hailing from Louisiana, Walls' work as an actor and producer has seen countless impressive credits go his way, with his most recent coming as Kamal in the Hulu comedyWhite Men Can’t Jump.
