Apple’s new historical limited series The Big Cigar takes a deep dive into the life of Huey P. Newton, the co-founder of the Black Panther Party. André Holland (Moonlight, Selma, 42) leads The Big Cigar’s cast as the main protagonist based on the real-life historical figure Huey P. Newton, who tried to flee the United States for Cuba in an elaborate plan that was code-named “The Big Cigar.” Interestingly, Holland recently starred in the 2024 historical drama Shirley as Walter Fauntroy, which also featured an appearance by Huey P. Newton as portrayed by actor Brad James.

The Big Cigar’s first two episodes were released on May 17, 2024, exclusively on Apple TV+. The series opened to moderately positive reviews, earning a 73% on Rotten Tomatoes. New episodes of The Big Cigar will be released each Friday until its series finale on June 14, 2024. Holland has been widely praised for his portrayal of Huey P. Newton, which has been universally considered the strongest aspect of the series. The Big Cigar was created by Jim Hecht (Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty) and its first two episodes were directed by Don Cheadle.

Who Is Huey P. Newton? The Black Panther Party Founder Explained

Newton co-founded the Black Panthers in October 1966

Huey P. Newton was an African American revolutionary figure who played an integral part in the rise of the Black Panthers Party. Newton co-founded the organization with Bobby Seale in October 1966 in Oakland, California. Newton was considered the first leader of the Black Panther Party and co-wrote its official manifesto, titled “The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense Ten-Point Platform and Program.” Under Newton’s leadership, the Black Panther Party was responsible for the implementation of multiple food and clothing banks, medical clinics and tests, prison busing systems, legal seminars, housing cooperatives, and even a private ambulance service.

Newton became the leader of the Black Panthers at just 28 years old. He was arrested in 1967 and was charged with killing a police officer, which sparked an uproar among his community who believed he had been wrongly accused. After Newton was released on appeal, he quickly became one of the key figures of the civil rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s alongside contemporaries such as Malcolm X. Newton was born in Monroe, Louisiana in 1942. His family moved to Oakland as a result of racial violence and hate crimes in Ouachita Parish at the time.

Why Huey P. Newton Fled To Cuba In 1974

Newton was falsely accused of murder in 1974

Newton received several allegations of criminal activity throughout his life. He had served six months in prison for assault with a deadly weapon and later was convicted of involuntary manslaughter of a police officer in 1968 after being involved in a deadly shootout with police before eventually being acquitted in 1970. Following these events, Newton had allegedly become a frequent drug user and was reportedly prone to more violent behavior. In 1974, Newton was falsely accused of murdering a sex worker named Kathleen Smith in Oakland, which prompted him to flee to Cuba that year.

What Happened To The Black Panther Party While Huey P. Newton Was In Cuba

Elaine Brown became the first Chairwoman of the Black Panthers

Before Newton fled to Cuba as part of his “Big Cigar” plan with the help of Hollywood producer Bert Schneider, he appointed Elaine Brown as the leader of the Black Panther Party. Brown would become the first official Chairwoman of the Black Panthers and would unsuccessfully run for Oakland City Council in 1975. Brown’s most notable contributions to the Black Panther Party were increasing its political power and presence in governmental elections and implementing more female figures in more prominent roles within the historically male-dominated Black Panther Party. In 1974, a member of the Black Panthers named Betty van Patter was mysteriously found dead.

Huey P. Newton’s Assault & Murder Charges Explained – Did He Ever Go To Jail?

Newton faced a murder trial but was eventually acquitted

Newton returned from Cuba in 1977 after spending three years in exile and quickly had power conflicts with Elaine Brown. A gender divide between men and women had begun to split up the Black Panthers from the inside, which eventually led to Brown fleeing Oakland to Los Angeles soon after Newton’s return. Despite being accused of several murders, including being allegedly implicated in the presumed murder of Betty van Patter, Newton was never put behind bars for the Kathleen Smith case. Newton faced a murder trial but was eventually acquitted due to compromised witness testimony from Crystal Gray.

How The Black Panther Party Reacted To Huey P. Newton’s Crimes

Several Black Panthers tried to assassinate a key witness

Once Newton returned to lead the Black Panthers, a few members allegedly tried to assassinate Crystal Gray, a key witness in the Kathleen Smith case. In October 1977, the assistant chief of staff of the Black Panthers Flores Forbes organized the failed assassination which targeted the wrong house and person. Of the Black Panthers that were involved, one was shot and killed by the false target, and Forbes escaped and fled Oakland for Las Vegas soon after. Newton denied any knowledge of the assassination attempt. Crystal Gray’s testimony was deemed invalid because it was discovered she had used marijuana the night of Smith’s death.

What Happened To Huey P. Newton

Newton was murdered in 1989

Although Newton avoided jail time for the Kathleen Smith case, he was later charged and convicted of illegal firearms possession in 1987 and served nine months in prison. Despite his run-ins with the law, Newton was able to earn his doctorate in Social Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 1980. Newton’s public impact significantly lessened following trials and multiple allegations of violence and he spent the remaining years of his life battling drug and alcohol-related addictions. He was said to have developed a paranoid mindset from his frequent use of crack cocaine.

Newton was murdered on August 22, 1989, at the age of 47, having been shot and killed on the streets of Oakland by a rival member of the Black Guerilla Party. The murderer, Tyrone Robinson, admitted to police that he killed Newton, claiming it was an act of self-defense. After there was no evidence found of Newton carrying a weapon on the night of his murder, Robinson was sentenced to 32 years in prison for first-degree murder in 1991. The Big Cigar highlights the elaborate scheme to get Newton to safety after a false accusation, which was just one incredible aspect of the historical figure’s real-life story.

Sources: Biography, National Archives, PBS, Smithsonian, TIME