Apple TV+’s ‘The Big Cigar’ is a biographical thriller drama series. It is based on Joshuah Bearman’s 2012 Playboy story. Jim Hecht created the series. The story is set in 1974 and follows Huey P. Newton, the Black Panther Party’s leader. Huey is being pursued by the FBI on murder charges, so he seeks assistance from a well-known Hollywood producer named Bert Schneider. Bert helps him flee to Cuba to begin a new life.
The show stars André Holland and Alessandro Nivola. There are also talented supporting actors like Tiffany Boone, Marc Menchaca, P. J. Byrne, Jordane Christie, and Moses Ingram. The 1970s setting in the US and Cuba makes viewers curious about the filming locations.
Where was “The Big Cigar” Filmed?
To shoot ‘The Big Cigar,’ the production team went to Ontario, California, and Colombia. They filmed in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Los Angeles, Cartagena, and Turbaco. The filming for the first season started in June 2022 and finished in September 2022.
Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, Ontario
For the first half of the show, the camera crew set up in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA). This region include the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and the city of Hamilton. The series’ main filming sites are Toronto and Hamilton. People in Hamilton saw the actors and crew at Hamilton City Hall, located at 71 Main Street West. This location served as the San Francisco International Airport.
Hamilton’s two churches also appear in critical scenes. The locations are Saint Paul’s United Church at 42 Tragina Avenue North and Garside Bible Church at 47 Garside Avenue North. A protest incident involving activists arguing with the police was captured on Melvin Avenue near the Iron Horse Saloon. The crew also used the Trocadero Restaurant at 525 Barton Street East and The Cotton Factory at 270 Sherman Avenue North. They also shot in Brampton.
Los Angeles, California
A little portion of ‘The Big Cigar’ was shot in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles, commonly known as the City of Angels, is located in Southern California and serves as the hub of the Hollywood film industry. Many movies and TV shows are filmed here, including ‘Oppenheimer,’ ‘Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire,’ ‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood,’ ‘The Mentalist,’ and ‘The Sympathizer.
Cartagena, Colombia
After filming in Ontario and California, the crew traveled to Colombia. Many crucial scenes were filmed in Cartagena. Famous landmarks such as Teatro Adolfo Mejía, Museo del Oro, and Colonial Plaza de los Coches may be visible in the backdrop.
Turbaco, Colombia
The team also went to Turbaco, a town in the Bolívar Department of Colombia. Turbaco is a few kilometers southeast of Cartagena. It is known for the “Fiesta de Toros” in December, celebrating the new year.
These are the main filming locations for ‘The Big Cigar.’ The different places help bring the story of Huey P. Newton to life.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – The Big Cigar
Q: Where was ‘The Big Cigar’ filmed?
A: ‘The Big Cigar’ was filmed in several locations, including Ontario (Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area), California (Los Angeles), and Colombia (Cartagena and Turbaco).
Q: When was ‘The Big Cigar’ filmed?
A: The filming for ‘The Big Cigar’ started in June 2022 and wrapped up in September 2022 after a busy shooting schedule.
Q: Where in Ontario was ‘The Big Cigar’ filmed?
A: In Ontario, the show was primarily filmed in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area. Specific locations include Hamilton City Hall, Saint Paul’s United Church, Garside Bible Church, Melvin Avenue, Trocadero Restaurant, and The Cotton Factory.
Q: What locations in Colombia were used for ‘The Big Cigar’?
A: In Colombia, the filming took place in Cartagena and Turbaco. In Cartagena, landmarks like Teatro Adolfo Mejía, the Museo del Oro, and Colonial Plaza de los Coches were featured.
Q: What is the release date of ‘The Big Cigar’?
A: ‘The Big Cigar’ on Apple TV+ was released on May 17, 2024 on Apple TV+.
