Forest Whitaker stars as Bumpy Johnson in Godfather of Harlem, alongside Ilfenesh Hadera as Mayme Johnson and Vincent D’Onofrio as Vincent ‘The Chin’ Gigante.
Main cast
- Bumpy JohnsonForest Whitaker1–3Main
- Mayme JohnsonIlfenesh Hadera1–3Main
- Vincent ‘The Chin’ GiganteVincent D’Onofrio1–3Main
- Malcolm XNigel Thatch1–3Main
- Elise JohnsonAntoinette Crowe-Legacy1–3Main
- Adam Clayton Powell Jr.Giancarlo Esposito1–3Main
- Stella GiganteLucy Fry1–3Main
- Teddy GreeneKelvin Harrison Jr.2–3Main
Supporting cast
- Margaret JohnsonDemi Singleton1–3Supp
- Del ChanceErik LaRay Harvey1–3Supp
- Ernestine BrownRafi Gavron1–2Supp
Guest & voice
- Frank CostelloPaul Sorvino1Guest
- Joseph BonannoChazz Palminteri1Guest
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About this cast
Godfather of Harlem is a crime drama series on BBC Two, starring Forest Whitaker as real-life mobster Bumpy Johnson. Set in the 1960s, it follows his return to Harlem after prison and his battle for control against the Italian mafia. The series also features Ilfenesh Hadera, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Nigel Thatch.
FAQs
Who plays Bumpy Johnson in Godfather of Harlem?
Forest Whitaker plays Bumpy Johnson.
Is Godfather of Harlem based on a true story?
Yes, it is loosely based on the life of real-life mobster Ellsworth ‘Bumpy’ Johnson.
How many seasons of Godfather of Harlem are there?
As of 2023, there are three seasons.
Where can I watch Godfather of Harlem in the UK?
It airs on BBC Two and is available on BBC iPlayer.
Who plays Malcolm X in Godfather of Harlem?
Nigel Thatch plays Malcolm X.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026