Don Cheadle is the latest addition to the stacked cast for the upcoming Peacock limited true crime series “Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist.”
Cheadle joins previously announced series lead Kevin Hart in the show, along with fellow cast members Taraji P. Henson, Samuel L. Jackson, Terrence Howard, and Dexter Darden.
The series is based on the podcast “Fight Night,” which was produced by Will Packer along with iHeartPodcasts and Doghouse Pictures. It will be set in Atlanta in 1970. The official description states that it will tell “the infamous story of how an armed robbery during the night of Muhammad Ali’s (Darden) historic 1970 comeback fight changed not only one man’s life, but an entire city’s destiny.”
Cheadle will appear in the series regular role of JD Hudson, described as “one of Atlanta’s first Black detectives assigned to Ali’s security detail and the robbery.”
Cheadle has history with multiple members of the cast. He and Samuel L. Jackson have both starred in multiple films across the Marvel Cinematic Universe, most recently appearing alongside each other in the Disney+ series “Secret Invasion.” Cheadle and Henson starred together in the 2007 film “Talk to Me.” Cheadle ended up replacing Howard in the MCU after Howard originated the role of Col. James Rhodes in “Iron Man.” And, of course, Cheadle infamously appeared on Hart’s Peacock talk show “Hart to Heart,” where they had an interesting discussion regarding Cheadle’s age.
In addition to his work in the MCU, Cheadle is known for starring in films like “Hotel Rwanda,” for which he received an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination. He has also starred in the “Ocean’s 11” franchise, “Crash,” and “Miles Ahead.” In television, he is known for starring roles in series like “House of Lies” and “Black Monday.”
Cheadle is repped by UTA and Viewpoint.
Shaye Ogbonna serves as creator of “Fight Night,” and showruns alongside Jason Horwitch. Both executive produce alongside Hart, Bryan Smiley and Mike Stein for Hartbeat; Packer and Sabrina Wind for Will Packer Media; Conal Byrne and Carrie Lieberman for iHeartPodcasts; and Jeff Keating of Doghouse Pictures LLC and Lars Jacobson. Also executive producing is Craig Brewer, who will direct the first two and last two episodes. Tiffany Brown, Erika Johnson, and Kenny Burns co-executive produce. UTV serves as the studio.
