Man in Full: Is the Story Based on Reality? Here's the Real-Life Inspiration

A Man in Full follows Charlie Croker's struggles in modern-day Atlanta. Netflix's adaptation of Tom Wolfe's novel features an impressive cast.

A Man in Full's protagonist Charlie Croker is a larger-than-life figure full of pride and determination at the center of the Netflix limited series. Despite its realistic portrayal of modern-day Atlanta, A Man in Full is not based on a true story. The series adapts Tom Wolfe's novel but features a different ending and fewer plot points. Charlie Croker in A Man in Full was inspired by real Atlanta businessmen but is a fictional character.

The new Netflix limited series A Man in Full, created by David E. Kelly, takes place in modern-day Atlanta and features an ensemble cast including Diane Lane, Tom Pelphrey, Bill Camp, Lucy Liu, William Jackson Harper, and Sarah Jones. Despite mixed reviews, the series follows Charlie Croker as his debts catch up with him, leading to a unraveling of his world. The series incorporates real institutions in Atlanta, such as Georgia Tech and government buildings in Fulton County.

While A Man in Full is based on Tom Wolfe's novel, there are changes to Charlie Croker's character and the overall plot. The series focuses on the trials of Charlie and Conrad, two characters who never meet face to face, unlike in the book. Wolfe's book features more plot points, including an earthquake and a prison escape, which the series does not include. Despite not being Wolfe's best-known work, A Man in Full is an interesting choice for a Netflix adaptation.

Charlie Croker in A Man in Full shares similarities with Atlanta-based businessmen like Taz Anderson, Charles Loudermilk, John Portman, Tom Cousins, and Rankin Smith. These real-life figures had connections to Georgia Tech, financial complications, and elite social spheres, mirroring Charlie's character in the series. A Man in Full is a Netflix original series starring Jeff Daniels, Tom Pelphrey, Diane Lane, and Lucy Liu, following the story of real estate mogul Charlie Croker in Atlanta facing bankruptcy and protecting his empire.