Godfather of Harlem

TV SERIES 2019 4 SEASONS

Overview

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.

This production, originally released in 2019, has captivated audiences with its unique storytelling. As a Scripted series, it brings a fresh perspective to the Drama, Crime genre, maintaining a strong viewer rating of 8.1 across its 4 seasons.

Storyline Highlights:
• Explores themes within Drama and Crime.
• Produced in United States of America.
• Original Language: English.

Starring Cast

Forest Whitaker

Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson

Erik LaRay Harvey

Delbert C. 'Del' Chance

Ilfenesh Hadera

Mayme Johnson

Antoinette Crowe-Legacy

Elise Johnson

Lucy Fry

Stella Gigante

Michael Raymond-James

Joe Colombo

Seasons

Season 1

10 Episodes • Aired 2019-09-29

No season overview provided for this season.

Season 2

10 Episodes • Aired 2021-04-18

Season 2 finds Bumpy battling the New York Crime Families for control of the lucrative and murderous “French Connection,” the pipeline for heroin that runs from Marseilles to New York Harbor. With a distribution syndicate that includes black crime bosses from other major U.S. cities, Bumpy takes a cue from his friend Malcolm X’s message of black economic nationalism.

Season 3

10 Episodes • Aired 2023-01-15

Season Three finds Bumpy Johnson continuing to battle for control of Harlem, with other aspirants to the throne, namely the Cuban Mafia from neighboring Spanish Harlem. Taking on the Cuban mob puts Bumpy, his loved ones, and his community in the crosshairs of not only the rival Italians, but ruthless Latin assassins and, ultimately, the CIA.

Season 4

10 Episodes • Aired 2025-04-13

In season 4, Bumpy Johnson continues his bloody war for control of Harlem against New York's Mafia families, while contending with the arrival of gangster Frank Lucas. After Malcolm X's tragic assassination, Bumpy must also grapple with his daughter Elise's involvement with the Black Panthers.