Series synopsis
Godfather of Harlem is an American drama crime television series that premiered on Epix on September 29, 2019. It was created by Chris Brancato, Paul Eckstein. It stars Forest Whitaker, Erik LaRay Harvey, Vincent D'Onofrio and Ilfenesh Hadera.
Loosely based on infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson, who in the early 1960s returned from ten years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles. With the streets controlled by the Italian mob, Bumpy attempts to regain his piece of Harlem.
Premise
Loosely based on infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson, who in the early 1960s returned from ten years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles. With the streets controlled by the Italian mob, Bumpy attempts to regain his piece of Harlem.
Premise: Harlem is mine.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Forest Whitaker as Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson
- Erik LaRay Harvey as Delbert C. 'Del' Chance
- Vincent D'Onofrio as Vincent 'Chin' Gigante
- Ilfenesh Hadera as Mayme Johnson
- Antoinette Crowe-Legacy as Elise Johnson
- Nigel Thatch as Malcolm X
- Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Teddy Greene
- Lucy Fry as Stella Gigante
Supporting cast
- Giancarlo Esposito as Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
- Rafi Gavron as Ernie Nuzi
- Demi Singleton as Margaret Johnson
- Jason Alan Carvell as Malcolm X
- Louis Cancelmi as Richie Zambrano
- Taylor Selé as Big Earl Ison
- Jazmine Sullivan as Mary Wells
- Method Man as Sam Christian
- Sonja Sohn as Nell
- Deric Augustine as Cassius Clay
- Whoopi Goldberg as Miss Willa
- Annabella Sciorra as Fay Bonnano
Guest cast
- Louis Cancelmi as Richie Zambrano
- Taylor Selé as Big Earl Ison
- Jazmine Sullivan as Mary Wells
- Method Man as Sam Christian
- Sonja Sohn as Nell
- Deric Augustine as Cassius Clay
- Whoopi Goldberg as Miss Willa
- Annabella Sciorra as Fay Bonnano
- A$AP Ferg as Reggie
- Grace Porter as Betty Shabazz
- Michael Chenevert as Feo Gomez
- Billy Wirth as Detective Kramer
Episodes
This series spans 4 seasons with 40 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 10 | September 29, 2019 | December 1, 2019 |
| Season 2 | 10 | April 18, 2021 | August 29, 2021 |
| Season 3 | 10 | January 15, 2023 | March 26, 2023 |
| Season 4 | 10 | April 13, 2025 | June 22, 2025 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
By Whatever Means Necessary After returning from Alcatraz, Bumpy Johnson seeks to regain control of Harlem. With the streets controlled by the Italian mob, Bumpy must take on the Genovese crime family, led by Vincent “Chin” Gigante. |
September 29, 2019 |
| 2 |
The Nitty Gritty Realizing a consistent source of heroin is vital to reclaim Harlem, Bumpy engages in a fevered search to find a dope supply independent of the Italians. Chin engages the services of crooked cops in a plot to arrest Bumpy and send him back to jail. |
October 6, 2019 |
| 3 |
Our Day Will Come Bumpy unexpectedly finds himself at Elise's side when her shoplifting arrest and subsequent abuse is the catalyst for a protest where conflicting interests cause tensions to rise. |
October 13, 2019 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The French Connection After three months in hiding from Chin Gigante and the Italians, Bumpy Johnson takes action to lift the sanctions off his head. By forging new alliances with European suppliers, Bumpy aims to reunite with his family safely back in Harlem. |
April 18, 2021 |
| 2 |
Sting Like a Bee Bumpy Johnson wants to use his new French supplier to distribute to the “Harlems” of other major American cities. Malcolm X uses Cassius Clay to leverage himself back into favor with the Nation of Islam before Clay’s famous fight versus Sonny Liston. |
April 25, 2021 |
| 3 |
The Fruit Stand Riot When innocent black teenagers and bystanders are savagely beaten and arrested by police, the Harlem community rallies to free them. Adam Clayton Powell and Mayme Johnson use peaceful protest, but Bumpy Johnson and Malcolm X prefer street justice. |
May 2, 2021 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Negro in White America To repay a drug debt owed to the Italians after the Harlem riots, Bumpy Johnson robs from his own community. Omar seeks to return to Elise and Malcolm's good graces. Someone close to Stella orders a hit on her life. |
January 15, 2023 |
| 2 |
Alzado When Joe Colombo carries out a gentleman's kidnapping of Mayme, Bumpy angrily prepares for a coming war. |
January 22, 2023 |
| 3 |
Mecca Jose Battle asks for a favor from his new partner Bumpy Johnson: a political assassination. Malcolm X is detained by Saudi authorities when he travels to Mecca. The district attorney's office targets Mayme for her gangster ties. |
January 29, 2023 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
New Harlem Bumpy plans to build a new club in Harlem but must find a new way to finance it without the heroin business. Elise testifies in the Malcolm X murder trial when three innocent men are accused. Stella negotiates a business deal between Colombo and Chin. |
April 13, 2025 |
| 2 |
Country Boy A power struggle erupts in Harlem as Bumpy seeks allies against Chin's betrayal. Meanwhile, he assigns a risky heroin heist to Frank Lucas, while Elise uncovers deadly secrets and Stella maneuvers for control. |
April 20, 2025 |
| 3 |
The Straw Man When the property for Bumpy's new club is being sold to a powerful, white real-estate developer, Bumpy must convince the black "Straw Man" to sell it to him instead; Mayme and Elise stage a protest at Margaret's school. |
April 27, 2025 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Epix |
|---|---|
| First aired | September 29, 2019 |
| Last aired | June 22, 2025 |
| Status | continue |
| Schedule | Sunday at 21:00:00 |