Is ‘Godfather of Harlem’ The Best Underrated Crime Drama on Streaming Right Now?
An overlooked crime drama, long due its recognition, is steadily rising in popularity on streaming platforms. Starring an Academy Award winner and renowned acting legend , the series delves into the life of the notorious 1960s New York City gangster Bumpy Johnson, while showcasing depictions of various real-life personalities including Malcolm X.
Since its debut on Epix in 2019, the series Godfather of Harlem has been penned by Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein. The show boasts a talented ensemble cast with Forest Whitaker portraying Ellsworth Raymond “Bumpy” Johnson. Notable actors like Nigél Thatch from Selma, Jason Alan Carvell from Ruthless, both playing Malcolm X, Ilfenesh Hadera as Mayme Thatcher Johnson, Bumpy’s wife, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Teddy Greene, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy as Elise Johnson, Bumpy’s daughter, Giancarlo Esposito as Adam Clayton Powell Jr., Vincent D’Onofrio as Bumpy’s rival gangster Vincent “The Chin” Gigante, Paul Sorvino as Frank Costello, and Luis Guzmán as Alejandro “El Guapo” Villabuena are some of the familiar faces gracing the screen.
The Godfather of Harlem is currently gaining popularity, undoubtedly because Season 4 was recently released on MGM+. You can read the official synopsis for this crime drama series below.
In the early ’60s, notorious gang leader Bumpy Johnson emerges from a decade behind bars to discover his former domain is under the grip of Italian mafia. To reclaim what was once his, Bumpy confronts the Genovese crime syndicate.
Forest Whitaker Delivers Another Captivating Performance in ‘Godfather of Harlem’
The series “Godfather of Harlem” is surprisingly underappreciated, with insufficient reviews for a comprehensive critic’s score on Rotten Tomatoes. Nevertheless, the audience’s feedback tells a story, giving the crime drama an impressive 88% rating on the Popcornmeter. Among those shows that have garnered enough critical reviews to provide a Season 1 score, “Godfather of Harlem” stands out, earning a 92% rating on the Tomatometer. Critics’ consensus states, “As stylishly dressed as it is thoughtfully written, Godfather of Harlem strides down familiar streets to its own rhythm and leaves a strong initial impact.
As a passionate cinephile, I was utterly captivated by Forest Whitaker’s mesmerizing lead performance in that series. Brian Tallerico from RogerEbert.com rightfully applauded him, stating, “Whitaker skillfully ties everything together, yet this production is undeniably an ensemble piece. It’s intelligent and gripping television that sometimes stumbles under the burden of its grand ambition to weave multiple narratives simultaneously.”
On the other hand, Tony Sokol from Den of Geek almost gave it a perfect score of 4.5/5, summing up his thoughts by saying, “The acting prowess in this show is nothing short of exceptional. The performances are deep and nuanced. Giancarlo Esposito appears to be thoroughly enjoying every moment.
The fourth installment of “Godfather of Harlem” is currently airing on MGM+, with the premiere episode having been released on April 13 this month. In this new series, Rome Flynn (“How to Get Away with Murder”) takes on the role of Frank Lucas, a rising gangster who expanded his criminal empire after Bumpy Johnson’s death. Previously, Denzel Washington, an esteemed acting legend, portrayed Frank Lucas in Ridley Scott’s “American Gangster.
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2025-04-25 18:37