Godfather of Harlem Renewed for Season 4 by MGM+
Godfather of Harlem will return for a fourth season on MGM+.
“We can’t wait to get to work on season four!” In a statement, Forrest Whitaker, executive producer and star of MGM+’s Godfather of Harlem, expressed his excitement over the renewal of the popular crime drama. The news comes after a long wait, with Season 3 premiering in January earlier this year.
“After such a long time away, I’m so excited to be returning to set alongside such an incredible cast, crew, and creative team, under the powerful leadership of Chris Brancato,” Whitaker, who leads the series as the fictionalized version of real-life notorious gangster Bumpy Johnson, said.
“We’re so appreciative of Michael Wright’s support at MGM+, and thrilled that Godfather of Harlem has resonated with fans around the world,” Whitaker added.
Season 4 will pick up where the third season ended, with Bumpy continuing to vie for control of Harlem and going up against a new rival, Frank Lucas, who was portrayed by Denzel Washington in Ridley Scott’s American Gangster. The MGM+ series serves as a prequel to the 2007 film.
Season 4 included the death of Malcolm X (Jason Alan Carvell), and the fourth installment teases the involvement of the Black Panthers. Bumpy’s daughter, Elise (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy), will begin to work closely with the Black power political organization, bringing more tension to the Manhattan neighborhood.
Michael Wright, head of MGM+ (formerly Epix), praises Whitaker’s work on the series, saying his “inspired performance as Bumpy Johnson has introduced an iconic, archetypal television antihero to the premium television landscape.”
Showrunner Chris Brancato returns the compliment, “I’m so gratified to continue my creative partnership with Michael Wright, his MGM+ team, and ABC Signature. This show has been a labor of love, and we dedicate this season to Paul Eckstein, my friend and co-creator, who passed unexpectedly this summer.”
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of our brilliant colleague Paul Eckstein, the co-creator and executive producer of Godfather of Harlem and a beloved member of the MGM+ and ABC Signature families,” MGM+ and ABC Signature said in a statement per The Hollywood Reporter in June 2024.
“Working on the series was a labor of love for Paul, who based the show in part on his family’s personal history. Paul was passionate, a creative force, known for his kindness and generosity. He was a mentor and friend to many, and he will be dearly missed,” the studios concluded.
Godfather of Harlem Season 4 will begin filming in New York in 2024.
Godfather of Harlem‘s fourth season will see the return of Ilfenesh Hadera as Mayme Johnson, Lucy Fry as Stella Gigante, and Erik LaRay Harvey as Del Chance, along with Whitaker and Crowe-Legacy.
Swizz Beatz, who served as executive music producer for seasons two and three, will also return for the 10-episode order.
The MGM+ series is produced by ABC Signature, a division of Disney Television Studios, and is executive produced by Brancato, Eckstein, Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson, and Markuann Smith.
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Godfather of Harlem Seasons 1-3 are available for streaming on MGM+.
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Erin Allen
Erin is a former script supervisor for film and television. She's an avid fan of middle aged actresses, dark dramas, and irreverent comedies. She loves to read actual books and X-Files fan fiction. Her other passions include pointing out feminist issues, shipping Mulder and Scully, and collecting pop culture mugs.