It has already been more than two months since the final episode of Godfather of Harlem aired last December, and now Epix has officially renewed their crime drama series for a 10-episode second season. Starring Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker as Bumpy Johnson, Season 2 will begin its production later this year.
“‘Godfather of Harlem’ season one was a remarkable success, tripling previous viewership numbers for the network and earning acclaim from both critics and viewers alike,” President of Epix, Michael Wright said in a statement (via The Wrap). “We couldn’t wait to reunite with Chris, Paul, Forest and the team at ABC Signature to continue telling this compelling and extremely relevant story.”
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Godfather for Harlem tells the story of crime boss Bumpy Johnson (Whitaker), who in the early 1960s returned after 10 years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles. With the streets controlled by the Italian mob, Bumpy takes on the Genovese crime family to regain control. During the brutal battle, he forms an alliance with radical preacher Malcolm X — catching his political rise in the crosshairs of social upheaval and a mob war that threatens to tear the city apart. The series is described as a collision of the criminal underworld and the civil rights movement during one of the most tumultuous times in American history.
The series also stars Antoinette Crowe-Legacy as Elise, Vincent D’Onofrio as Vincent Giganter and Ilfenesh Hadera as Mayme Johnsom, Nigel Thatch as Malcolm X, Giancarlo Esposito as Adam Clayton Powell and Rafi Gavron as Ernie Nunzi.
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Whitaker will executive produce alongside his Significant Productions banner topper Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson and Markuann Smith along with Chris Brancato (Narcos) and Paul Eckstein, also serving as writers for the ABC Signature Studios project.
Godfather of Harlem serves as Whitaker’s first series regular role since he starred in CBS’ Criminal Minds spinoff Suspect Behavior in 2011.
