Newton, a target of relentless FBI pursuit, embarks on a seemingly impossible plan. His escape involves a fake movie production, a web of calculated misdirection, and the unwavering support of the famed movie producer Bert Schneider. As expected, the scheme becomes a whirlwind of unpredictable mishaps and near-misses. The remarkable twist? This unbelievable story actually happened… mostly.
Award-winning actor, producer, and director Don Cheadle helms the series’ first two episodes as director and executive producer. The project draws inspiration from Joshuah Bearman’s (“Argo”) original magazine article, and Bearman joins the project as an executive producer.
NAACP Image Award-winner Janine Sherman Barrois (“Claws,” “The Kings of Napa”) serves as showrunner, with Jim Hecht (“Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty”) penning the series’ premiere episode. “The Big Cigar” is produced by Warner Bros. Television under Barrois’ overall deal with her production company, Folding Chair Productions. Hecht, Bearman, Arthur Spector (“Little America”), and Joshua Davis (also through Epic) join as executive producers.
