Forest Whitaker is the ‘Godfather of Harlem’

During the 20s and 30s, a great part of Harlem was the focus of the Harlem Renaissance or the ‘New Negro Movement’ – an outpouring of artistic work without precedent in the African American community.

This was also the era when Ellsworth ‘Bumpy’ Johnson rose to power under Harlem crime boss Stephanie St Clair, also known as ‘Madam Queen’ or ‘Queen of the Policy Rackets’. A formidable crime figure in this New York burrow, Bumpy saw himself in and out of prison more times than he could count, with his most notable stint being 10 years in Alcatraz.

‘Godfather of Harlem’ tells the true story of Bumpy after returning from the island-prison in 1963 and having to take back territory from an Italian mob in an era when things are done differently from before.

Renowned actor Forest Whitaker takes on the role of Bumpy with a stellar cast alongside him in Ilfenesh Hadera as Mayme Johnson, Nigél Thatch as Malcolm X, Vincent D’Onofrio as Vincent ‘The Chin’ Gigante and Giancarlo Esposito as Adam Clayton Powell Jr.

The series is a prequel to 2007’s ‘American Gangster’ which starred Denzel Washington as Frank Lucas, Bumpy’s successor, and was written by Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein, who did a magnificent job capturing the story with added fictional dialogue for dramatisation purposes.

Bumpy, who was an affiliate to the Italian mafia, was the main Harlem associate of Charles ‘Lucky’ Luciano and what later became known as the Genovese crime family, the same family he has to fight off in the first season of the series to regain control over his neighbourhood.

The graphic and unforgiving nature of the show, along with actors who bring the story to life, makes it one of the most gratifying true-life crime-dramas to watch after ‘Boardwalk Empire’ ended in 2014.

The depiction of the characters and how they interacted with one another, either to serve their own interests and push their own agendas or through authentic friendships, presents conscientious characterisation showing complex sides to the historical figures displayed.

Crime figures should not be celebrated, however, there is something about them that entices audiences worldwide – whether it’s their humane side or the ruthless lives they lived, their stories make for compelling television products.

‘Godfather of Harlem’ explores the complexities of Harlem falling into heroin abuse through the eyes of Bumpy who has his own convictions rooted in serving black Americans, and, on the other hand, building his empire as a drug kingpin.

‘Godfather of Harlem’ is available on Showmax.

– @jonathan_sasha on Twitter; @jonathan.sasha on Instagram

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.