BGN sits down with the cast and showrunner of Godfather of Harlem to dive into the power struggles, personal stakes, and cultural pulse of one of television’s most compelling crime dramas.
In this exclusive conversation, Showrunner Chris Brancato offers insight into the real history behind the fiction, while stars Rome Flynn (Frank Lucas), Ilfenesh Hadera (Mayme Johnson), and Antoinette Crowe-Legacy (Elise Johnson) reflect on their characters’ evolution, family loyalties, and the blurred lines between survival and ambition.
Set in the early 1960s, Godfather of Harlem follows infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson as he returns from a decade behind bars to a neighborhood under siege by the Italian mob. To reclaim his territory, and his legacy, Bumpy must wage a brutal war that collides with civil rights movements, deep-rooted corruption, and personal demons.
This is more than just a mob story, it’s a gritty, emotional, and politically charged look at a man fighting for power in a system designed to keep him out.
Interviewer: Alyssa Threadgill
Video Editor: Jamie Broadnax
Godfather of Harlem premieres April 13th on MGM+