Actor Rome Flynn is set to step into the shoes of the infamous drug lord Frank Lucas for the upcoming fourth season of MGM+’s critically acclaimed series, ‘Godfather of Harlem’. In an interview with Deadline, Flynn revealed that the series will delve into Lucas’ early years, offering a glimpse into the life of the man before he became a household name. Deadline also gave a first look at Flynn as Lucas.
Flynn will portray Lucas as a young, ambitious newcomer to Harlem. The series will explore his journey from a small-town North Carolina boy to a powerful figure in the criminal underworld.
“I’m filled with gratitude! Thrilled to be a part of the ‘Godfather of Harlem’ universe and breathe new life into the legend of Frank Lucas,” Flynn shared with Deadline. “I have so much admiration for Forest Whitaker. Working opposite him, being led by the brilliant creator Chris Brancato, is truly a gift. An actor’s dream.”
‘Godfather of Harlem’ chronicles the rise and fall of real-life crime boss Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker), who returns to Harlem after a decade in prison to reclaim his territory. According to the official synopsis, “In Season 4, Bumpy continues his bloody war for control of Harlem against New York’s Mafia families, while contending with the emergence of a potential rival in newly arrived Black gangster Frank Lucas. After Malcolm X’s (Jason Alan Carvell) tragic death, Bumpy must also grapple with his daughter Elise’s (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy) involvement with the Black Panthers.”
The series, created by Chris Brancato and the late Paul Eckstein, has garnered critical acclaim for its portrayal of the Harlem Renaissance era and its exploration of race, crime, and politics.
With Flynn’s addition to the cast, fans can expect a fresh perspective on the life of Frank Lucas, a character previously brought to life by Denzel Washington in the film ‘American Gangster’.
Returning for season four alongside Whitaker are Ilfenesh Hadera, Lucy Fry, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, and Erik LaRay Harvey. The first three seasons are currently available for streaming on MGM+.
The series, produced by ABC Signature, boasts an impressive lineup of executive producers, including Brancato, the late Paul Eckstein, Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson, Markuann Smith, and Ray Quinlan. Michael Panes and Stephen Schiff serve as writing executive producers, with Swizz Beatz as the executive music producer.