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It looks like Hulu subscribers should prepare to be knocked out this summer with the arrival of MIKE, the drama series based on the legendary Mike Tyson. (We realize we shamefully opted for the pun here, but we couldn’t help it).
For many sports fans, the series is long overdue. As ESPN (opens in new tab)Tyson has reportedly won 50 of the 58 fights Tyson has boxed in his career, 44 of them by KO. He clearly didn’t earn the name “Iron Mike” for nothing. While his amazing record certainly speaks to his sporting ability, it doesn’t paint the story of his sometimes turbulent life journey. From his public and rocky marriage to ex-wife Robin Givens to his brief stint in prison to the bite that was seen around the world in his match with Evander Holyfield, he’s found himself in some predicaments, that of the butt of bad press and bad were, sometimes cruel, jokes.
With his historical career and personal life serving as the backdrop for the series, MIKE attempts to tell the unauthorized story of one of America’s greatest boxers.
Here’s everything we know MIKE.
When is MIKE’s release date?
MIKE premieres Thursday, August 25 in the US on Hulu. It’s not immediately clear if all eight episodes of the limited series will be released then, or if they will stream onto the platform on each of the following Thursdays. However, we’ll share the distinction once we know more.
Also, there’s no official word as yet on when the series will make its way to the UK, but we’ll provide an update on that as well as more information becomes available.
MIKE premise
Hulu describes the MIKE premise as follows:
“From creator/writer Steven Rogers and the team behind it I Tonya and showrunner Karin Gist, executive producer of Our kind of people, MIKE examines the dynamic and controversial history of Mike Tyson. The eight-episode limited series explores the tumultuous ups and downs of Tyson’s boxing career and personal life – from a beloved global athlete to an outcast and back again. Focusing on Mike Tyson, the series explores class in America, race in America, fame and the power of the media, misogyny, the wealth divide, the promise of the American Dream and ultimately our own role in shaping Mike’s story.
“MIKE is an unauthorized and uncompromising look at the life of Mike Tyson – and it’s a wild ride.”
Again, MIKE is unauthorized. As stated in diversity (opens in new tab)The boxer has spoken out strongly against the project.
Plus, fans of Tyson will have a chance to see an authorized version of his story when the limited series, starring actor Jamie Foxx (beam, Spider-Man: No Way Home) goes into the ether. Not only Foxx plays Tyson in the follow-up project, but also Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas, The Irishman) is also on board as executive producer and Antoine Fuqua (The equalizer 2, The guilty) acts as director.
MIKE occupied
Iron Mike in the Hulu series is played by actor Trevante Rhodes. Rhodes rose to stardom after portraying Chiron in the Oscar-winning film moonlight. Since then he has acted in films such as birdhouse, The robber and The United States vs. Billie Holiday.
Other notable names on the series include Russell Hornsby (fences), Harvey Keitel (Lansky), Laura Harrier (Hollywood) and Li Eubanks (All rise).
For a full list of the MIKE cast, see IMDB (opens in new tab).
MIKE trailer
Even though MIKE can’t get the green light from Tyson himself, respectfully, looks like something worth watching.
How to see MIKE
MIKE is a Hulu Original series airing exclusively on the platform in the United States. Those interested in watching the show must have a subscription to the streaming service, which consumers can sign up for as a standalone service or as part of the Disney bundle.
An official UK release date has yet to be announced, but we’ll provide more information as soon as it becomes available.