MGM+ just gave the green light for the fourth season of the Emmy-winning drama series, Godfather of Harlem, led by Forest Whitaker.
Created by Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein (known for Narcos), this 10-episode season is set to kick off production next year in the vibrant city of New York. The series, produced by ABC Signature, a part of Disney Television Studios, has become MGM+’s all-time acquisition driver for subscribers, especially resonating with African American audiences, making up 54% of the linear audience composition in Season Three.
In this upcoming season, we’ll witness Bumpy Johnson (played by Whitaker) continuing his intense battle for control over Harlem against New York’s Mafia families. Alongside this, he must navigate the challenges posed by a potential rival, the newly arrived Black gangster Frank Lucas. The aftermath of Malcolm X’s tragic death adds another layer to the story, as Bumpy grapples with his daughter Elise’s involvement with the Black Panthers.
The series stars Vincent D’Onofrio, Ilfenesh Hadera, Giancarlo Esposito, Michael Raymond-James, Jason Alan Carvell, and Yul Vazquez.
Michael Wright, the head of MGM+, expressed his excitement, stating, “Forest Whitaker’s inspired performance as Bumpy Johnson has introduced an iconic, archetypal television antihero to the premium television landscape.” The show has consistently exceeded expectations both creatively and cinematically, making the team eager to embark on the journey of a fourth season.
Co-creator Chris Brancato shared his gratitude for the continued partnership and dedicated the season to his co-creator, Paul Eckstein, who passed away unexpectedly. Forest Whitaker expressed his enthusiasm for returning to set with an incredible cast, crew, and creative team, thanking Michael Wright’s support at MGM+.
Forest Whitaker will not only star but also executive produce the fourth season, joined by a returning cast that includes Ilfenesh Hadera, Lucy Fry, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, and Erik LaRay Harvey. The series, executive produced by Brancato, Eckstein, Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson, and Markuann Smith, features Swizz Beatz as the executive music producer.