Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)

92% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 88% Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

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Godfather of Harlem — Season 1

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Godfather of Harlem — Season 1

What to Know

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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Critics Reviews

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Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (1) Brian Tallerico RogerEbert.com [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. Oct 6, 2019 Full Review Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (2) Lorraine Ali Los Angeles Times 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. Oct 2, 2019 Full Review Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (3) Brad Newsome Sydney Morning Herald Anachronistic hip-hop might date the series quickly, but for now it's a rich and piquant stew. Oct 2, 2019 Full Review Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (4) Keith Watson Metro Newspaper (UK) 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. Rated: 4/5 Nov 6, 2020 Full Review Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (5) Marcelo Stiletano La Nación (Argentina) The historical context is fascinating and the series lives up to its rich complexity. [Full Review in Spanish] Jun 24, 2020 Full Review Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (6) Pat Stacey The Herald (Ireland) 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. Rated: 3/5 Jan 8, 2020 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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H. R Well written. Well directed. Well shot. Well acted. Well, I think I liked it Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/10/24 Full Review Michael N brilliant show. love how it gives a history lesson whilst entertaining. (i know its not all real, but got me interested enough to go and read more Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/30/23 Full Review Smith J Nice cast and very entertained. Rated 3.5/5 Stars • Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 07/26/23 Full Review Ben Amazing show, great acting!! it gets you hooked so fast Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/20/23 Full Review Steve B Out of a desire to be fair, and because of my respect for some of the actors, I have watched all three seasons.My advice: don't start. Season One is weak and things go downhill from there with poor scripts, laughable (not funny - laughable) "direction" ... even the music is embarrassingly obvious.The entire enterprise is condescending and sad. Rated 0.5/5 Stars • Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 03/29/23 Full Review Brandon M Great story line, kinda fictional in some parts but over all awesome series. I hope they keep it going Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Godfather of Harlem — Season 1

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Cast & Crew

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
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Episodes

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. Details 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 10, 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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Godfather of Harlem — Season 1

Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 Teaser - Who Is Bumpy? Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 Teaser - Who Is Bumpy? 0:30 Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 Featurette - Forest Whitaker & Vincent D'Onofrio Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 Featurette - Forest Whitaker & Vincent D'Onofrio 2:19 Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 Featurette - Inside Look Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 Featurette - Inside Look 2:20 Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 Teaser 2 Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 Teaser 2 0:30 Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 Teaser Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 Teaser 0:30 Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 Trailer Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 Trailer 2:12 View more videos

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Season Info

Director
John Ridley

Executive Producer
Chris Brancato, Paul Eckstein, Forest Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson, Markuann Smith

Network
MGM+

Rating
TV-MA

Genre
Crime, Drama

Original Language
English

Release Date
Sep 29, 2019
Godfather of Harlem: Season 1 | Rotten Tomatoes (2024)
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