''Godfather of Harlem'' is an American

crime drama Crime films, in the broadest sense, is a film genre inspired by and analogous to the crime fiction literary genre. Films of this genre generally involve various aspects of crime and its detection. Stylistically, the genre may overlap and combine ...

television series which premiered on September 29, 2019, on

Epix Epix (pronounced ''epics'' and stylized as P) is an American premium cable and satellite television network owned by the Epix Entertainment LLC subsidiary of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), a subsidiary of Amazon's MGM Holdings, Inc. The channel's pr ...

. The series is written by

Chris Brancato Chris Brancato (born July 24, 1962) is an American television and film writer and producer. Brancato grew up in Teaneck, New Jersey

and Paul Eckstein, and stars

Forest Whitaker Forest Steven Whitaker (born July 15, 1961) is an American actor. He is the recipient of List of awards and nominations received by Forest Whitaker, various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a British Academy Film Award ...

as 1960s

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...

gangster

Bumpy Johnson Ellsworth Raymond "Bumpy" Johnson (October 31, 1905 – July 7, 1968) was an American crime boss in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. Early life Ellsworth Raymond "Bumpy" Johnson was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on October 31, 1905 ...

. Whitaker is also executive producer alongside

Nina Yang Bongiovi Nina Yang Bongiovi is a BAFTA nominated, Asian American film producer, with extensive experience in creative development, film finance and physical production. In 2009, she partnered with actor Forest Whitaker to create Significant Productions; ...

, James Acheson,

John Ridley John Ridley IV (born 1965) is an American screenwriter, television director, novelist, and showrunner, known for '' 12 Years a Slave'', for which he won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. He is also the creator and showrunner of the a ...

and

Markuann Smith Markuann Smith (born November 19, 1977 in New York City) is an American actor, producer, and director. He is the Executive Producer of Epix series drama ''Godfather of Harlem''. Career Markuann was born in NYC and raised in Harlem. He graduated ...

. Chris Brancato acts as

showrunner A showrunner (or colloquially a helmer) is the top-level executive producer of a television series production who has creative and management authority through combining the responsibilities of employer and, in comedy or dramas, typically also th ...

. On February 12, 2020, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on April 18, 2021. On January 13, 2022, the series was renewed for a third season which premiered on the renamed MGM+ on January 15, 2023. A docu-series based on the series titled ''By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem'' premiered on November 8, 2020.

Premise

''Godfather of Harlem'' tells the "true story of infamous crime boss

, who in the early 1960s returned from ten years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled a shambles. With the streets controlled by the Italian mob, Bumpy must take on the

Genovese crime family The Genovese crime family, () also sometimes referred to as the Westside, is an Italian-American Mafia crime family and one of the "Five Families" that dominate organized crime activities in New York City and New Jersey as part of the American M ...

to regain control. During the battle, he forms an alliance with Muslim minister

Malcolm X Malcolm X (born Malcolm Little, later Malik el-Shabazz; May 19, 1925 – February 21, 1965) was an American Muslim minister and human rights activist who was a prominent figure during the civil rights movement. A spokesman for the Nation of Is ...

– catching Malcolm's political rise in the crosshairs of social upheaval and a mob war that threatens to tear the city apart."

Cast and characters

Main

as Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson, a

Harlem Harlem is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, New York City. It is bounded roughly by the Hudson River on the west; the Harlem River and 155th Street (Manhattan), 155th Street on the north; Fifth Avenue on the east; and 110th Street (Manhattan), ...

-based mob boss and the titular "Godfather of Harlem" * Nigél Thatch (seasons 1–2) and Jason Alan Carvell (season 3) as

, a

Muslim Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...

minister in the

Nation of Islam The Nation of Islam (NOI) is a religious and political organization founded in the United States by Wallace Fard Muhammad in 1930. A black nationalist organization, the NOI focuses its attention on the African diaspora, especially on African ...

and

civil rights activist Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from infringement by governments, social organizations, and private individuals. They ensure one's entitlement to participate in the civil and political life of ...

* Ilfenesh Hadera as Mayme Johnson, Bumpy's wife *

Lucy Fry Lucy Elizabeth Fry (born 13 March 1992) is an Australian actress. She is known for portraying Zoey in '' Lightning Point'', Lyla in '' Mako: Island of Secrets'', and Lissa Dragomir in the film '' Vampire Academy''. Fry was also cast in Hulu's e ...

as Stella Gigante, Vincent's rebellious daughter *

Kelvin Harrison Jr. Kelvin Harrison Jr. (born July 23, 1994) is an American actor. He is the recipient of such accolades as a Screen Actors Guild Award and nominations for a British Academy Film Award, Gotham Award, an Independent Spirit Award. He began his caree ...

as Teddy Greene (season 1), an aspiring musician and Stella's boyfriend *

Rafi Gavron Raphael Pichey Gavron (born 24 June 1989) is an English-American actor. He had supporting roles in the films ''Breaking and Entering'' (2006), ''Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist'' (2008), '' A Star Is Born'' (2018), and the series '' Life Unex ...

as Ernie Nunzi (seasons 1–2), a violent associate of Vincent's and part of the

* Antoinette Crowe-Legacy as Elise Johnson, Bumpy's

heroin Heroin, also known as diacetylmorphine and diamorphine among other names, is a potent opioid mainly used as a recreational drug for its euphoric effects. Medical grade diamorphine is used as a pure hydrochloride salt. Various white and brow ...

-addicted daughter-turned Muslim *

Giancarlo Esposito Giancarlo Giuseppe Alessandro Esposito (; born April 26, 1958) is an American actor and director. He is best known for portraying Gus Fring in the AMC crime drama series ''Breaking Bad'', from 2009 to 2011, and in its prequel series ''Better Ca ...

as Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr. (season 1; recurring season 2–present), a politician who represents Harlem in

Congress A congress is a formal meeting of the representatives of different countries, constituent states, organizations, trade unions, political parties, or other groups. The term originated in Late Middle English to denote an encounter (meeting of a ...

Vincent D'Onofrio Vincent Philip D'Onofrio (; born June 30, 1959) is an American actor and filmmaker. He is known for his supporting and leading roles in both film and television. He has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. His roles include Private Leonar ...

as Vincent "The Chin" Gigante, the mob boss of the Genovese crime family and Bumpy's main rival *

Erik LaRay Harvey Erik LaRay Harvey (born 1972) is an American actor known for his roles as Dunn Purnsley in ''Boardwalk Empire'', Diamondback (Willis Stryker), Willis Stryker / Diamondback in ''Luke Cage (TV series), Luke Cage'', and his role in ''The Charnel Hous ...

as Del Chance (season 2–present; recurring season 1), one of Bumpy's most trusted enforcers *

Demi Singleton Demi Patricia Singleton (born 27 February 2007) is an American actress, singer, and dancer. She is best known for her role in crime TV series '' Godfather of Harlem'' and as the young Serena Williams in the biographical film '' King Richard.'' ...

as Margaret Johnson (season 2; recurring season 1; guest season 3), Bumpy's granddaughter

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

Season 1 (2019)

Season 2 (2021)

Season 3 (2023)

Production

Development

On April 25, 2018, it was announced that

had given the production a series order for a first season consisting of ten episodes set to premiere in 2019. The series will be written by Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein who will also executive produce alongside

, Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson, and Markuann Smith. Brancato will also act as showrunner. Production companies involved with the series include

ABC Signature Studios ABC Signature is an American television production studio that is a subsidiary of Disney Television Studios, a division of Walt Disney Television, which is part of the Disney General Entertainment Content division of The Walt Disney Company. ...

and Significant Productions. On June 19, 2018, it was reported that

would direct the first episode of the series. On February 12, 2020, the series was renewed for a second season which premiered on April 18, 2021. On January 13, 2022, the series was renewed for a third season which premiered on January 15, 2023.

Casting

Alongside the initial series announcement, it was confirmed that Forest Whitaker would star in the series as Bumpy Johnson. In September 2018, it was announced that

, Ilfenesh Hadera, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, Nigél Thatch,

and

Paul Sorvino Paul Anthony Sorvino (, ; April 13, 1939 – July 25, 2022) was an American actor. He often portrayed authority figures on both the criminal and the law enforcement sides of the law. Sorvino was particularly known for his roles as Lucchese cri ...

had been cast in starring roles. In October 2018, it was reported that

and

had joined the cast in a series regular capacity. On January 8, 2019, it was announced that

Kathrine Narducci Kathrine Narducci (; born November 22, 1965) is an American actress, known for her role as Charmaine Bucco, Artie Bucco's wife, on the HBO crime drama series ''The Sopranos'' (1999–2007). Her film credits include ''A Bronx Tale'' (1993), ''Ch ...

had been cast in a recurring role. For the second season in 2021,

Justin Bartha Justin Lee Bartha (born July 21, 1978) is an American actor, known for his roles as Riley Poole in the ''National Treasure'' film series, Doug Billings in ''The Hangover'' trilogy, and David Sawyer in the NBC comedy series '' The New Normal''. ...

Annabella Sciorra Annabella Gloria Philomena Sciorra ( , ; born March 29, 1960) is an American actress. She came to prominence with her film debut in '' True Love'' (1989), earning an Independent Spirit nomination for Best Female Lead. Subsequent projects include ...

Ronald Guttman Ronald Guttman (born 12 August 1952) is a Belgian actor, theatrical producer and film producer. Career Guttman was born in Uccle. He started appearing in French language productions in Europe in 1975, appearing in his first English-language film ...

, Isaach de Bankolé,

Method Man Clifford Smith, Jr. (born March 2, 1971), better known by his stage name Method Man, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is known as a member of the East Coast hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He is also half of t ...

Michael Rispoli Michael Rispoli is an American character actor. He was a contender for the role of Tony Soprano in the HBO television series ''The Sopranos,'' but was ultimately cast as Jackie Aprile, a recurring character in the show’s first season. Rispo ...

and Grace Porter were added to the cast. In May 2021, it was announced that actress

Whoopi Goldberg Caryn Elaine Johnson (born November 13, 1955), known professionally as Whoopi Goldberg (), is an American actor, comedian, author, and television personality.Kuchwara, Michael (AP Drama Writer)"Whoopi Goldberg: A One-Woman Character Parade". ' ...

will appear in a guest role. On July 25,

died shortly before starting filming began third season, prior to recast of Frank Costello.

Filming

Principal photography for the series reportedly began in September 2018 in

Reception

For the first season, the

review aggregator A review aggregator is a system that collects reviews of products and services (such as films, books, video games, software, hardware, and cars). This system stores the reviews and uses them for purposes such as supporting a website where users ...

website

Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang ...

reported a 92% approval rating with an average rating of 7.50/10, based on 25 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads: "As sharply dressed as it is smartly written, ''Godfather of Harlem'' walks familiar blocks to its own beat and makes a strong first impression."

Metacritic Metacritic is a website that review aggregator, aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted arithmetic mean, weighted average). M ...

, which uses a weighted average, assigned the season a score of 72 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". Cheryl Kahla of ''

The South African ''The South African'' is an English-language South African online news publication created in March 2003 by the multinational media company, Blue Sky Publications, and it operates as an online news and lifestyle publication with offices in South ...

'' said: "''The Godfather of Harlem'' is an excellent example of what modern television is capable of today. Whitaker’s character Bumpy is a drug kingpin but also just a man trying to make sense of the world and connect with his family".

Accolades

References

External links

* {{Epix 2010s American crime drama television series 2020s American crime drama television series 2010s American black television series 2020s American black television series 2019 American television series debuts English-language television shows MGM+ original programming Television series by ABC Signature Studios Television series about organized crime Works about African-American organized crime Works about the American Mafia Television shows set in New York City Television series set in the 1960s Cultural depictions of Malcolm X