Epix’s original series Godfather of Harlem is a crime drama that premiered in 2019. Created by Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein, Harlem is a dramatized retelling of New York City crime boss Bumpy Johnson’s life shortly after his release from prison in the 1960s. With Forest Whitaker starring in Harlem as Johnson and the consensus on the show being mostly positive, Harlem is shaping up to be one of the best crime dramas produced.
Harlem’s themes center around morality, identity, and loyalty. The show also handles the effects drugs and violence have on a community — a prominent theme in other crime dramas. Despite the familiarity of Harlem’s subjects and topics, its unique and well-written characters help distinguish it from other crime dramas. In this article, we’ve created a guide to some of the show’s principal and recurring characters and their respective actors in the Primetime Emmy-winning drama.
12 Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Teddy Greene
Kelvin Harrison Jr. stars as Teddy Greene, an aspiring musician, and Stella Gigante’s boyfriend. Harlem does an excellent job setting the show’s stakes, and one of the worst acts Black characters can do is to date an Italian woman. Despite this well-established rule and much to Vincent’s dismay, Teddy and Stella are dating, and Kelvin’s bravery and musicianship are two traits of his character that make him a fan-favorite.
Harrison Jr. is a jazz and gospel pianist in real life, thus aiding in his performance in Harlem. Moreover, his musical abilities have led to the young actor being cast in 2022’s Elvis as blues legend B.B. King and in an upcoming Jean-Michel Basquiat biopic.
11 Rafi Gavron as Ernie Nunzi
Ernie Nunzi is a violent enforcer for the Genovese crime family who’s introduced to audiences in the Season 2 episode “The Nitty Gritty.” Played by British-American actor Rafi Gavron, Ernie’s introduction quickly informs audiences that Ernie’s a dangerous man despite his charisma and charm. Suspicious of Stella’s claims of no longer being in a relationship with Teddy, Vincent orders Ernie to confirm the news after setting up a date with the two. After Ernie and Stella enjoy a performance by a blues musician (played by Aloe Blacc), Ernie murders him in cold blood despite the man not being Teddy.
In addition to Nunzi’s role in Harlem, fans might recognize him from HBO’s Westworld and Bradley Cooper’s 2018 remake of A Star Is Born.
10 Demi Singleton as Margaret Johnson
Newcomer Demi Singleton (no relation to the late, great John Singleton) plays Bumpy and Mayme Johnson’s granddaughter and Elise’s daughter, Margaret. Curious, bubbly, and somewhat mischievous, Margaret is portrayed as a bright young girl who loves her family — especially Bumpy, dearly. Despite his criminal lifestyle, Margaret’s scenes with Bumpy typically offer audiences a softer and gentler side to the hardened criminal. Moreover, after Bumpy slips up about Elise’s identity, it spurs Margaret to investigate behind Bumpy and Mayme’s backs to learn more about her estranged mother.
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Singleton made her film debut in 2019’s Goldie, and her following film was the Academy Award-winning King Richard, where she played a young Serena Williams. With a role in the upcoming Bass Reeves TV series by acclaimed Western filmmaker Taylor Sheridan, we’re excited to see the young actress’ career flourish.
9 Paul Sorvino as Frank Costello
The late and sorely missed Paul Sorvino was renowned for his portrayals of authority figures on both sides of the law and as devoted father figures. A career spanning five decades, some of Sorvino’s more recognizable work includes performances in the films Cruising, Dick Tracy, Goodfellas, Nixon, Romeo + Juliet, and Money Talks. In Harlem, Sorvino plays Frank Costello, the Italian-American boss of the Luciano crime family, and despite his declining health, Sorvino still offers a memorable performance. Costello is often depicted as a voice of reason between the warring families, as he typically provides mutually beneficial solutions to everyone.
8 Erik LaRay Harvey as Del Chance
Del Chance is one of Bumpy Johnson’s most trusted enforcers. Austere, imposing, and sharp as a tack, Del is typically seen strategizing with Bumpy whenever he isn’t muscling their rivals for crucial information. Played by Erik LaRay Harvey, Del started as a recurring character before becoming a series regular from Season 2 onward. Harvey’s breakout role was in Terrence Winter’s period crime drama Boardwalk Empire as Dunn Purnsley, and the actor followed this role up with a regular appearance in Luke Cage as Willis Stryker/Diamondback.
7 Lucy Fry as Stella Gigante
While Stella Gigante isn’t an actual person, she is a composite of different women in Vincent “The Chin” Gigante’s life and has been repurposed into Vincent’s daughter. Australian actress Lucy Fry plays Stella, and the actress does an exceptional job bringing life to the character without a framework to base her on. One of the show’s most compelling storylines involves Lucy and her forbidden love with her African American boyfriend, Teddy Greene. While audiences are initially led to believe Lucy’s feelings for Teddy are genuine, Teddy’s mother thinks otherwise, creating doubt in Teddy’s mind, thus complicating the young couple’s relationship.
Known primarily for her work in the fantasy films Vampire Academy and Night Teeth, Fry’s successful foray into the crime drama genre perfectly showcases her range and leaves much to be desired from the actress.
6 Antoinette Crowe-Legacy as Elise Johnson
Antoinette Crowe-Legacy plays Bumpy’s daughter Elise Johnson, a heroin addict who eventually gets clean through the Nation of Islam and joins the faith. When audiences are introduced to Elise, she’s seen perusing the streets of Harlem in search of her next heroin fix. However, she unexpectedly runs into her father and doesn’t recognize him. Elise’s character is well-written, as we quickly learn that she wants to get clean and be a mother to her daughter, but the show does an excellent job showing audiences how difficult this task is.
Crowe-Legacy is primarily a theater actress, but fans might recognize her for the Tessa Thompson-led Passing or the TV miniseries WeCrashed.
5 Giancarlo Esposito as Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
Beloved character actor Giancarlo Esposito is one of the most consistent actors of his generation. A Spike Lee regular, some of Esposito’s film credits include School Daze, Do the Right Thing, Mo’ Better Blues, Malcolm X, and The Usual Suspects. With Esposito’s enthralling performance as Gustavo Fring in Vince Gilligan’s Breaking Bad, the actor’s profile rose exponentially, and a new generation of television fans fell in love with him.
In addition to Esposito’s prolific film career, he has also portrayed villainous characters in Better Call Saul, The Mandalorian, and The Boys to critical acclaim. Continuing his trend of playing bad guys, Congressman Adam Clayton Powell Jr. is an unscrupulous politician whose charisma tricks the citizens of Harlem into believing he has their best interests in mind. However, audiences swiftly learn that Congressman Powell primarily wishes to serve his interests more than anyone else’s, and he won’t let anything or anyone get in his way of that pursuit.
4 Ilfenesh Hadera as Mayme Johnson
They say that behind every great man is a great woman, and in Bumpy Johnson’s case, that couldn’t be more true. While Johnson is known for his criminal activities, he was also a husband, father, and grandfather. Born Mayme Hatcher, Mayme and Bumpy would eventually meet in 1948 when Johnson proposed to her almost immediately after meeting her. In Harlem, Mayme is portrayed as a devout Episcopalian, loving wife and nurturing mother who makes charitable donations to various organizations in and around Harlem.
Mayme is played by Ilfenesh Hadera, a Spike Lee regular, and while there doesn’t appear to be much on the actress's itinerary, we hope to see more of her in this role if the show is renewed for a fourth season.
3 Nigél Thatch as Malcolm X
Malcolm Little, later el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz, was a Muslim leader, a prominent figure in the civil rights and human rights movements, husband, and father whose work and life have influenced countless generations since his assassination and untimely death in 1965. Eventually changing his name to Malcolm X after converting to the Nation of Islam, many people are probably familiar with the late activist’s political work and religious teachings as they’ve been well documented. However, we’re sure most people aren’t aware of X’s relationship and friendship with Bumpy Johnson. In the 1940s, X was a street hustler by the alias Detroit Red, and Johnson was still a low-level enforcer working for boss Stephanie St. Claire.
The two would eventually cross paths and forge a friendship lasting up to X’s slaying, with Bumpy going so far as to provide X with security when his life was threatened by the U.S. government and the Nation of Islam for his political views. In Harlem, X is portrayed by American actor Nigél Thatch throughout the show’s first three seasons. While Thatch may not be the most prolific actor on our list, his performance as Malcolm X is among the strongest, earning him an NAACP Image Award for his work — not surprising, considering he portrayed the late activist to critical acclaim in Ava DuVernay’s 2014 film Selma.
2 Vincent D’Onofrio as Vincent “The Chin” Gigante
Vincent D’Onofrio plays the ruthless boss of the Genovese crime family and primary rival to Bumpy Johnson, Vincent “The Chin” Gigante. As soon as audiences are introduced to Gigante, we’re made aware of his rampant racism, violent temper tantrums, and the callous nature in which he runs his business. Feared by most, Gigante usually quells his temper whenever he’s around Frank Costello and occasionally when discussing serious business matters with Bumpy.
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Known for the versatility of roles in his filmography, D’Onofrio has delivered excellent performances in classic films like Full Metal Jacket, JFK, Strange Days, Men in Black, and The Cell. The actor also boasts an impressive television resume, primarily for his work as Detective Robert Goren in the Law & Order franchise and, more recently, as The Kingpin/Wilson Fisk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
1 Forest Whitaker as Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson
Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson was a notorious crime boss whose organization was run out of the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. Ruthless, the Godfather of Harlem, was known among other members of organized crime to rule his territory with an iron fist, and he was also known to use his signature switchblade on anyone who dared to defy him. Cruel and heartless are a few words that come to mind when discussing Johnson, but he also developed a reputation for being kind and generous to anyone he respected.
Academy Award-winner Forest Whitaker is renowned for his ability to seemingly effortlessly star in heart-wrenching dramas like Harlem and The Last King of Scotland and independent productions like Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai with bravado and flair. The seasoned actor’s skills are on full display in Harlem, as seen on multiple occasions in “By Whatever Means Necessary,” the show’s pilot episode. Audiences see Johnson seamlessly transition from pure rage and fury upon discovering Harlem’s heroin-ridden condition to Johnson’s warm and gentle side anytime he’s with his wife and daughter. Indeed, Whitaker is a master of the craft, and with three successful seasons under his belt, we hope to see a fourth season soon.
All episodes of Godfather of Harlem can be streamed on Hulu, MGM+, and YouTube.
