'Godfather of Harlem' Season 2: Release date, plot, cast and everything you need to know about the potential return of the EPIX series
As far as gangster dramas go, 'Godfather of Harlem', an EPIX original that traced the life and times of Harlem's cult-name mob man, Bumpy Johnson, was a runaway hit. Adding to this was a star-studded cast and a gritty, and gripping plotline that gives every reason for the show to return for a new season. While there has been no official confirmation on the series' return, there's every reason to believe that 'Godfather of Harlem' will be back. Simply because there are more stories to be told about Harlem's household name.
Forest Whitaker is that star who's essayed some roles to stunning perfection. His extensive movies and TV shows list marks a decorated Hollywood career and 'Godfather of Harlem' is a compelling fit for the man. He's played some unconventional roles throughout his career— a comical cop in 'Bloodsport', a disgruntled, yet committed and passionate boxing coach in 'Southpaw', and now he essays a mob head with absolute elan. The new Epix hour-long series set in the '60s sees him play a charismatic criminal, Bumpy Johnson (A real-life New York Crime boss ) who's released from Alcatraz prison and returns to Harlem.
While we wait for an official thumbs-up about season 2, here's what we know so far and what to expect.
Release date
Should season 2 even start production in early 2020, we can expect the gangster drama to be released around September, which was the same time the pilot season released.
Plot
The season finale focused around President Kennedy's death and the repercussions it had on the mob community. Bumpy Johnson (Whitaker) gets summoned by the Genovese crime family and threatened to death. Chin Gigante (Vincent D'Onforio) also hires a hitman to take him out, but Bumpy manages to escape by the skin of his teeth with Elise (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy) coming to his aid.
Nigel Thatch's Malcolm X leaves the Nation of Islam when he realized he was forced to not voice out his opinion for the very cause he believed in. Thatch shines as the American Muslim minister and human rights activist who was a popular figure during the civil rights movement. He was best known for his controversial advocacy for the rights of blacks and in the end, we see him and Bumpy walking away. In Giancarlo Esposito's Adam Clayton Powell Jr. There was a charismatic, flamboyant and ruthless who fought for the black people's rights, and he had his own way of doing it. Last we saw, he's left broken upon the news of Kennedy's assassination.
Series creator, Chris Brancato had this to say about the show in October: "This is the education of Bumpy Johnson,” co-creator Chris Brancato told Variety in an interview back in October. “What interested us most was the idea that what we would do through the show was explore the collision of crime and civil rights in early-’60s Harlem with an eye towards contemporary themes like police brutality, drug addiction, gang warfare, the situation in the ghetto.” (Via Bustle). That should have enough content to bring out a potential second season.
Cast
While nothing much is known, we surely expect the main men to be back in season 2. Forest Whitaker as Bumpy Johnson, Nigel Thatch as Malcolm X, Giancarlo Esposito as Adam Powell Jr., Antoinette Crowe-Legacy as Elise Johnson, Bumpy's heroin-addicted daughter, Rafi Gavron as Ernie Nunzi, and Ilfenesh Hadera as Mayme Johnson, Bumpy's wife.
Director/ Writer
The series was written by Chris Brancato ('Narcos') and Paul Eckstein. Given the staggering hit the show was, it won't come as a surprise if the duo is back to write for season 2.
Trailer
Nada. We expect something to drop in closer to season 2's release date. And when it does, be sure to check this space.
Watch this space for more updates on 'Godfather of Harlem' Season 2
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