Michael Benjamin Washington (‘American Auto’) and Elijah Wright (‘High and Low’) have been cast as recurring guest stars in the upcoming fourth season of MGM+’s hit gangster drama ‘Godfather of Harlem’. They join the expanding lineup of new faces in the series, following the recent addition of Rome Flynn and Erik Palladino.
Created by Chris Brancato, known for his work on ‘Narcos’ and ‘Hotel Cocaine’, and the late Paul Eckstein, ‘Godfather of Harlem’ chronicles the life of notorious crime boss Bumpy Johnson. Set in the early 1960s, the show picks up as Bumpy, played by Forest Whitaker, returns to Harlem after serving an 11-year prison sentence. He finds his neighborhood in disarray and must battle to regain control.
In the fourth season, Bumpy’s struggle for dominance intensifies as he faces off against New York’s Mafia families and contends with the rise of a new rival, Frank Lucas (Flynn). The season also delves into Bumpy’s personal challenges following the assassination of Malcolm X (portrayed by Jason Alan Carvell) and the involvement of his daughter Elise (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy) with the Black Panthers. Ilfenesh Hadera, Lucy Fry, and Erik LaRay Harvey also star in the series.
Washington will portray James Baldwin, the legendary writer, social critic, and activist from Harlem. Known for his powerful oratory and thought-provoking exploration of race, identity, and human relationships, Baldwin is depicted as a commanding figure and a passionate advocate for justice.
Wright takes on the role of Jerome Greene, a young Harlem native driven by a strong sense of duty and loyalty. Initially eager to serve in Vietnam, Greene’s journey shifts towards the civil rights movement as he becomes an active member of the Black Panthers, fighting for justice and equality on the home front.
Flynn’s character, Frank Lucas, is introduced as a North Carolina native who navigates his way into Harlem’s underworld. Despite initial tensions with Bumpy, Lucas eventually becomes a fierce ally and Bumpy’s right-hand man. Fans can expect to see Lucas’s backstory explored in depth, setting the stage for the character’s rise to prominence, famously portrayed by Denzel Washington in the film ‘American Gangster’.
Palladino will recur as “Pino Greco,” a fearsome hitman and high-ranking underboss of the Genovese crime family. Greco is a prolific and ruthless killer who throughout the season descends into a deadly power struggle with Chin Gigante’s daughter Stella for control of the Family’s fortunes.
Produced by ABC Signature, the series boasts an impressive lineup of executive producers, including Brancato, 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 overseeing the music production.
Washington, known for his roles in NBC’s ‘American Auto’, ‘Ratched’, and ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt’, also appeared in Joe Mantello’s Netflix adaptation of ‘The Boys in the Band’. Wright, a newcomer to television, will also feature in Spike Lee’s upcoming film ‘High and Low’ for Apple and A24.