"Godfather of Harlem" is one of the best dramas on TV

Reel Perspectives

May 14, 2025

MGM+

The critically acclaimed series Godfather of Harlem, now in its fourth season, is one of the best crime dramas available on MGM+. Despite its gritty storytelling and outstanding performances from the incredible ensemble cast, the series does not nearly get the recognition it deserves. Blending fictionalized events with historical figures, the series creates a complex narrative of crime, power, racial equality, and civil rights.

The series stars Oscar winner Forest Whitaker in the titular role, who continuously gives a masterful performance as New York City's infamous crime boss, Bumpy Johnson. Set in 1960s Harlem, Johnson returned after 11 years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles.

The fourth season premiered on Sunday, April 13, 2025, and carries ten episodes, with new episodes released every Sunday through the season finale on June 22, 2025.

Produced by 20th Television and created by Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein, executive producers include Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson, John Ridley, Markuann Smith, and Whitaker. The series initially premiered in 2019 on Epix before moving to MGM+ ahead of its third season.

The series stars:

• Forest Whitaker as Bumpy Johnson

• Ilfenesh Hadera as Mayme Johnson

• Lucy Fry as Stella Gigante

• Antoinette Crowe-Legacy as Elise Johnson

• Erik LaRay Harvey as Del Chance

• Demi Singleton as Margaret Johnson

• Jason Alan Carvell as Malcolm X

• Rome Flynn as Frank Lucas

• Michael Benjamin Washington as James Baldwin

• Erik Palladino asGiuseppe “Pino” Greco

• Elijah Wright – Jerome Greene

• Devin Kessler – Afeni Shakur

Flynn, who plays drug lord Frank Lucas, best known for Chicago Fire and How to Get Away With Murder, relayed to Deadline that Denzel Washington's portrayal of the infamous gangster in American Gangster is completely different, citing, "There are no comparisons except that we're both playing the same person," Flynn said. "We're creating a more fully dimensional character that I feel films don't have the luxury of [time] to portray, which is a great thing. With TV, you get to show the intricacies and the complexity of not just who Frank was, but who he is at that point in his life while taking people on a journey along with him as he becomes the man everyone knows he becomes."

In Season 4 of Godfather of Harlem, Bumpy Johnson continues his bloody war for control of Harlem against the New York Italian Mafia while contending with the emergence of a potential rival in newly arrived gangster Frank Lucas. After Malcolm X's tragic death, Bumpy must also grapple with his daughter Elise's involvement with the Black Panthers.

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The fourth season of this fantastic series is currently streaming on MGM+. If you need to get caught up, the first three seasons are also available to stream.

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