GODFATHER OF HARLEM Season 3, premiered in January 2023 and tells a story inspired by infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker), who in the early 1960s returned from eleven years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles. Season Three will find Bumpy Johnson continuing to battle for control of Harlem, with other aspirants to the throne, namely the Cuban Mafia from neighboring Spanish Harlem.
Taking on the Cuban mob will put Bumpy, his loved ones, and his community in the crosshairs of not only the rival Italians, but ruthless Latin assassins and, ultimately, the CIA. Godfather of Harlem is a collision of the criminal underworld and the civil rights movement during one of the most tumultuous times in American history.
The hit crime drama returned to small screens promising from episode one entitled the Negro in White America to continue building upon its provocative storytelling of Crime Boss Bumpy Johnson’s drug empire in this dramatized tale based on true events of his life after coming back home to Harlem only to find it in ruins after his 10-year stint in jail. There has been a change of leadership in his neighborhood & the streets he once ruled. The Italian Mob now appears to be in charge, but Johnson is not prepared to take this lying down as he is fully prepared to take on the Genovese Crime family to take back what he deems as his rightful place in authority. The story is expertly led by the legendary Academy Award Winning Forest Whitaker who won the prestigious honor in 2007 for Best Actor in a Leading role for Last King of Scotland. He plays Bumpy Johnson masterfully and heads an All-Star Cast that also includes Law & Order: Criminal Intents Vincent D’Onofrio as Vincent Gigante one of Bumpy’s many rivals, Nigel Thatch as Muslim Civil Rights Leader Malcolm X, as a surprising confidant to bumpy, he is probably most noted for his roles as Child Star in such shows as Robert Townsends the Parenthood & One on One. He also portrayed Malcolm X in the 2014 film Selma, & a recent Critic’s Choice Award Winner for his supporting role as Gus Fring in Better Call Saul who portrays Adam Clayton.
To be honest, before this interview I was not familiar with the series, but after diving into the first three episodes of the current season which is completely enthralling I am now a fan who plans to binge-watch the rest of this season along with the prior two.
What also drew my attention & helped to make me a fan were two of the show’s other incredibly talented Co-stars Ilfenesh Hadera, of Spike Lees the Chi Fame who portrays Bumpy’s loyal wife Mayme Johnson & relative newcomer yet equally shining Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, who plays his Eldest Daughter Elise Johnson who is of mixed race decent.
She is a drug addict and a lost soul, which Antoinette describes as being conflicted by his absence in her life throughout the years & is a bit of an antagonist. Antoinette is a classically trained graduate of Yale Drama School, where she obtained an MFA after which she went on to star in a Broadway production of a controversial production called Slave Play, in which she got the chance to step into the role of Kaneisha whom she created in 2017 at Yale’s Langston Hughes Festival when she was in grad school. She described it as a full-circle moment. During her run in the production, she simultaneously got the role of Elise which she recalls being extremely ecstatic. Getting to know her role more & more as the seasons continue you can tell there is a sparkle in her eyes & there is no trace of a rookie in sight only hunger and a passion to push further to higher heights. You can feel a kindred connection between her & Ilfenesh who flawlessly portrays Johnson’s spouse. She lights up every scene she is in with Whitaker & makes sure she does not fade softly into the background. Perhaps being well trained through her many films with famed Screenwriter, Director extraordinaire Spike Lee, whom she proudly says after many collaborations with him once you are a part of his circle you stay a part of his family. She also goes on to elaborate when asked what her favorite role was, she had the honor of playing in his film she beams when mentioning Opal Gilstrap one of Nola Darling’s many love interests in the Netflix series adaptation of She’s Gotta Have It. I beamed as a fan of the series upon recognizing it was, she who played the character. During my conversation with these lovely ladies who possess both inner & outer beauty the conversation flowed as if I was talking to two long-time friends as I admitted to having not seen the show in its entirety, I told Hadera that I was now officially on board after talking with them & they sweetly smiled & encouraged me to do just that. When asked why specifically one who has never seen the show should tune in both ladies chimed in basically in unison that one of the main reasons viewers should watch is because even though it is gritty at times & gets real about Bumpy’s hustler ways & street ties, it also humanizes him & shows him as a devoted husband and father that does sincerely love his family despite his flaws & shortcomings.
I also had some fun with the ladies as I asked for upcoming Academy Awards predictions for Best Actress Antoinette gave Michelle Yeoh her Thumbs up along with the film Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. Ilfenesh threw her support behind Cate Blanchett & gave her rave reviews for her role in Tar. I feel that both women are sure to continue to take Hollywood by storm & will one day hear their names mentioned among the likes of those they admire also. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with them & I know there will undoubtedly be more seasons of Godfather of Harlem to come. I wish them the best in all future endeavors & encourage you to catch up with the series on Hulu & Epix if you are late to the party such as myself, also be sure to follow them on Instagram, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy (_antoinette_) & Ilfanesh Hadera (ilfenator). I would like to sincerely thank them both for taking out the time to talk with us as I know they had a very hectic press day & schedule with promotions it was truly my joy & delight to have been a part of it. Get ready to sink your teeth into the remainder of this season as the suspense and drama are merely just getting started.
