Godfather of Harlem

Synopsis

Loosely based on infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson, who in the early 1960s returned from ten years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles. With the streets controlled by the Italian mob, Bumpy attempts to regain his piece of Harlem.

First Air Date: 2019-09-29

Last Air Date: 2025-06-22

Number of Seasons: 4

Number of Episodes: 40

Created By: Paul Eckstein, Chris Brancato

Networks: Epix, MGM+

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

Forest Whitaker as Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson
Ilfenesh Hadera as Mayme Johnson
Antoinette Crowe-Legacy as Elise Johnson
Lucy Fry as Stella Gigante
Elvis Nolasco as Nat Pettigrew
Erik LaRay Harvey as Delbert C. 'Del' Chance
Markuann Smith as Junie Byrd
Vincent D'Onofrio as Vincent 'Chin' Gigante
Demi Singleton as Margaret Johnson
Nigel Thatch as Malcolm X

Seasons

Season 1 (2019) - (10 Episodes)

Season 2 (2021) - (10 Episodes)

Season 3 (2023) - (10 Episodes)

Season 4 (2025) - (10 Episodes)

Season 1 (2019)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: By Whatever Means Necessary (2019-09-29)

After returning from Alcatraz, Bumpy Johnson seeks to regain control of Harlem. With the streets controlled by the Italian mob, Bumpy must take on the Genovese crime family, led by Vincent “Chin” Gigante.
Ep. 2: The Nitty Gritty (2019-10-06)

Realizing a consistent source of heroin is vital to reclaim Harlem, Bumpy engages in a fevered search to find a dope supply independent of the Italians. Chin engages the services of crooked cops in a plot to arrest Bumpy and send him back to jail.
Ep. 3: Our Day Will Come (2019-10-13)

Bumpy unexpectedly finds himself at Elise's side when her shoplifting arrest and subsequent abuse is the catalyst for a protest where conflicting interests cause tensions to rise.
Ep. 4: I Am The Greatest (2019-10-20)

Cassius Clay battles local boxing hero Doug Jones in the ring. Mayme insists Bumpy back Jones, an advocate for her Harlem Youth organization, but Malcolm urges Bumpy to back Clay. Meanwhile, Chin engages in a turf war for Harlem with Bonnano.
Ep. 5: It's All In the Game (2019-10-27)

In an effort to break Bumpy's bank, Chin fixes a bet, as a result, Bumpy owes the winners more than he can cover. Police arrest Stella and Teddy for kissing. Elise looks toward the Nation of Islam in order to better herself.
Ep. 6: Il Canto de Malavita (2019-11-03)

Elijah Muhammed tours Malcolm X's mosque where he meets Elise and asks her to spy on Malcolm. Chin finds out Teddy is alive, leaving Ernie Nunzi to correct his mistake. Esther James sues Adam Clayton Powell Jr. for slander.
Ep. 7: Masters of War (2019-11-10)

Striking back at the Italians, Bumpy exploits Chin's dark past. Mayme and Elise put aside their differences and Bumpy sees his wife and children reunited before his war explodes.
Ep. 8: How I Got Over (2019-11-17)

Chin and Bonnano are at war in Harlem. Mayme asks Bumpy to create a will where Bumpy finds out he and Mayme never formally adopted Margaret. Malcolm X and Adam Clayton Powell Jr. go to D.C. for the March on Washington.
Ep. 9: Rent Strike Blues (2019-11-24)

Due to slum conditions in Harlem, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. leads a rent strike and investigates the owners of the buildings. Ernie Nunzi searches for the hooker who helped set up Zambrano. Bumpy and Mayme experience tension in their marriage.
Ep. 10: Chickens Come Home to Roost (2019-12-01)

Bumpy blackmails the mob in an effort to secure the safety of himself and his family. President John F. Kennedy is assassinated. Teddy performs at the Apollo Theater in Harlem.