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Season 1 – Godfather of Harlem

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2:12

Sep 2019

Crime

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

25 Reviews

89%

Popcornmeter

100+ Ratings

In the early 1960s, infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson returns from 10 years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles; with the streets controlled by the Italian mob, Bumpy must take on the Genovese crime family to regain control.

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Critics Consensus

As sharply dressed as it is smartly written, Godfather of Harlem walks familiar blocks to its own beat and makes a strong first impression.

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Brian Tallerico

RogerEbert.com

10/06/2019

[Whitaker] holds it all together, but this is definitely an ensemble piece, and it's smart, engaging television that only occasionally falters under the weight of its ambition to tell a few too many stories at once.

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Lorraine Ali

Los Angeles Times

10/02/2019

This unofficial prequel to "American Gangster" does play with nostalgia from the era... But its depiction of a racially divided, corrupt and often venal world rings just as true today.

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Brad Newsome

Sydney Morning Herald

10/02/2019

Anachronistic hip-hop might date the series quickly, but for now it's a rich and piquant stew.

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Keith Watson

Metro Newspaper (UK)

11/06/2020

4/5

What lifts Godfather Of Harlem above your standard mobster bloodbath is its classy evocation of a New York caught on the cusp of major upheaval.

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Marcelo Stiletano

La Nación (Argentina)

06/24/2020

The historical context is fascinating and the series lives up to its rich complexity. [Full Review in Spanish]

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Pat Stacey

The Herald (Ireland)

01/08/2020

3/5

Godfather of Harlem, which is stuffed with real historical figures, including Malcolm X, tries to be a mash-up of over-familiar gangster clichés and lofty history of the African-American quest for social justice, but ends up overreaching.

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ET B

@E.T.B. Jan 3

This series does a phenomenal job intertwining the struggle for racial justice in America in the 1960's, the complexity of NYC's multi-faceted criminal underworld, and the clash of gangs, politicians, and law enforcement in the pursuit of selfish ends. This show stays faithful to the historical and political context without ever dulling the entertainment factor. Fantastic acting from the entire cast.

jose R.

@RT70559045 Sep 27

Great show and drama. Outstanding

Jamie C

@itsjamie Aug 10

What a gem of a show... almost lost it a bit there in season 3, but got back stronger than ever with season 4. What a great cast, clearly extending the ghost of The Sopranos as a vehicle to tell important and inspiring tales that draw from real historic struggles but that do not shy away from spicing up the details to make for some entertaining TV. Well done and really looking forward to season 5 and more if they continue with such passionate portrayals, acting and storytelling.

Candat23 N

@CandCat23 Jun 8

We loved this. Stylish, pacy, beautiful 1960s setting and hard hitting when it needs to be. Undoubtably owes a huge debt to The Sopranos and decidedly less cerebral but despite its occasional plot flaws and poor dialogue it’s very entertaining.

ThaWorldis a

@RT50143270 May 5

This is a very good production this season

John T

@RT29656973 02/23/2025

That song we will rise was super cringe. Lol I had to mute it every time it came on.

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Forest Whitaker

Bumpy Johnson

Vincent D'Onofrio

Vincent Gigante

Ilfenesh Hadera

Mayme Johnson

Antoinette Crowe-Legacy

Elise

Nigel Thatch

Malcolm X

Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Teddy Greene

Episode 1

Aired Sep 29, 2019

By Whatever Means Necessary

Bumpy Johnson returns from Alcatraz to reunite with his family and reclaim his Harlem territory from Italian mob boss Vincent Gigante; he finds an unlikely ally in his old friend Malcolm X.

Details

Episode 2

Aired Oct 6, 2019

The Nitty Gritty

Bumpy engages in a fevered search to find a dope supply independent of the Italians; Chin talks to crooked cops; Mayme worries the effect Bumpy's rescue of his daughter Elise from the streets will have on their family.

Details

Episode 3

Aired Oct 13, 2019

Our Day Will Come

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.

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Episode 4

Aired Oct 20, 2019

I Am the Greatest

Cassius Clay battles local boxing hero Doug Jones; Mayme insists Bumpy back Jones but Malcolm urges Bumpy to back Clay; Chin engages in a turf war for Harlem with Bonnano and a buried secret is revealed.

Details

Episode 5

Aired Oct 27, 2019

It's All in the Game

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.

Details

Episode 6

Aired Nov 3, 2019

Il Canto de Malavita

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.

Details

Episode 7

Aired Nov 9, 2019

Masters of War

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.

Details

Episode 8

Aired Nov 17, 2019

How I Got Over

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.

Details

Episode 9

Aired Nov 24, 2019

Rent Strike Blues

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.

Details

Episode 10

Aired Dec 1, 2019

Chickens Come Home to Roost

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.

Details

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