Godfather of Harlem, a gangster crime series drawing comparisons to The Sopranos and rooted in historical figures, is keeping fans riveted to their screens. Viewers are so engrossed that they've confessed to binge-watching the show in just a few days.
All episodes, including the most recent fourth season, are now available on Prime Video. Previously, it was only accessible through an additional subscription to the MGM+ service. This means that an even larger audience can now discover the title and understand why it's receiving such high praise from both fans and critics. There's no better time, as last month it was confirmed that a two-hour special episode will be produced to serve as the finale.
Plot and Premise
According to its synopsis, the series begins in 1960s New York City when Bumpy Johnson returns home after a decade in prison. He discovers that his neighbourhood of Harlem is now under the control of the Italian mafia. Soon, he forms an alliance with a radical preacher to reclaim the streets.
Godfather of Harlem is the brainchild of writers and producers Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein. The creative duo have previously been involved in the creation of Narcos, while Brancato also wrote episodes of Hannibal and The X-Files. His latest series is the crime drama The Westies, which premiered this year.
Historical Inspiration and Cast
While the series is categorised as historical fiction, it is heavily influenced by real individuals and actual events. A celebrated cast brings many of these characters to life. Oscar winner Forest Whitaker steps into the shoes of Raymond 'Bumpy' Johnson, a notorious crime boss in Harlem from the 1930s to the 1960s. He did indeed serve nearly a decade behind bars, incarcerated in Alcatraz until 1963.
Meanwhile, Vincent D'Onofrio, recognised for his villainous roles in Men in Black and as Kingpin in the Marvel series Daredevil and its cinematic universe, portrays Vincent Louis Gigante. Gigante was a former boxer known by the nickname Chin. He also held the reins of the Genovese crime family in New York City from 1981 to 2005. Breaking Bad's Giancarlo Esposito assumes the role of politician Adam Clayton Powell Jr., who represented Harlem in the House of Representatives from 1945 until 1971.
Fan and Critic Reception
Civil rights activist and Muslim minister Malcolm X is brought to life by Nigel Thatch in the first two seasons, with Jason Alan Carvell stepping into the role in subsequent seasons. The use of real-life figures as the foundation for the show's characters has led numerous viewers to hail it as an "exceptionally powerful TV series". One even asserted that it is "better than The Sopranos."
A critic penning their review of the show opined that the 'gritty' series depicts the tale of some of the 'most hardcore' gangsters, all underpinned by a commanding lead performance from Whitaker. Meanwhile, one fan declared: "Brilliant. The show is so compelling I binged on the entire season 1 over 2 days. Every single actor is addictive and naturally fitting in the scenes." Another chimed in: "Forest Whitaker is a genius! So glad they decided to cast him in this role. Every episode leaves you wanting more. I wish I could rewatch this show."
Godfather of Harlem is streaming on Prime Video.
