Godfather of Harlem
DramaCrime2019Rated 7.9
In 1963 Harlem, Bumpy Johnson comes home after ten years in prison to find his old territory split up by the Genovese crime family, and he sets out to take it back.
Starring Forest Whitaker, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, Lucy Fry
Next season
Season 5announced, no date yet
Weekly, 1 episodes, last aired Sun, 22 Jun 2025
Is it for me?
Period crime fans who want gangsters mixed up with civil rights politics, and a soundtrack of hip hop and soul, will settle in fast. Bumpy and Frank Costello talk business over a chessboard. Malcolm X keeps turning up in a diner and on the radio, urging Bumpy toward a straighter path. Forest Whitaker plays him as a feared kingpin and a family man at once.
Before you start
The story runs on from season to season, so start at the first episode and keep going in order.
4 seasons, 40 episodes, 60 min each, about 40 hours so far
This show
In 1963 Harlem, Bumpy Johnson comes home after ten years in prison to find his old territory split up by the Genovese crime family, and he sets out to take it back.
Starring Forest Whitaker, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, Lucy Fry
Is it for me?
Period crime fans who want gangsters mixed up with civil rights politics, and a soundtrack of hip hop and soul, will settle in fast. Bumpy and Frank Costello talk business over a chessboard. Malcolm X keeps turning up in a diner and on the radio, urging Bumpy toward a straighter path. Forest Whitaker plays him as a feared kingpin and a family man at once.
Before you start
The story runs on from season to season, so start at the first episode and keep going in order.
4 seasons, 40 episodes, 60 min each, about 40 hours so far
Season 5: nothing to list until it's dated
- E01By Whatever Means NecessaryAired Sun 29 Sept
- E02The Nitty GrittyAired Sun 6 Oct
- E03Our Day Will ComeAired Sun 13 Oct
- E04I Am the GreatestAired Sun 20 Oct
- E05It's All in the GameAired Sun 27 Oct
- E06Il Canto de MalavitaAired Sun 3 Nov
- E07Masters of WarAired Sun 10 Nov
- E08How I Got OverAired Sun 17 Nov
- E09Rent Strike BluesAired Sun 24 Nov
- E10Chickens Come Home to RoostAired Sun 1 Dec
- S01E01By Whatever Means Necessary29 Sept 2019
- S01E02The Nitty Gritty6 Oct 2019
- S01E03Our Day Will Come13 Oct 2019
- S01E04I Am the Greatest20 Oct 2019
- S01E05It's All in the Game27 Oct 2019
- S01E06Il Canto de Malavita3 Nov 2019
- S01E07Masters of War10 Nov 2019
- S01E08How I Got Over17 Nov 2019
- S01E09Rent Strike Blues24 Nov 2019
- S01E10Chickens Come Home to Roost1 Dec 2019