Michael Benjamin Washington & Elijah Wright Join ‘Godfather Of Harlem’ Season 4
EXCLUSIVE: Michael Benjamin Washington (American Auto) and Elijah Wright (High and Low) have joined the fourth season of MGM+’s gangster drama Godfather of Harlem as recurring guest stars.
Washington will play James Baldwin, the renowned writer, social critic and activist from Harlem, known for his piercing insight into the complexities of race, identity, and human relationships. Baldwin is a commanding orator, soulful storyteller, and fierce advocate for justice.
More from Deadline
'Beacon 23' Cancelled By MGM+ After 2 Seasons; 'The Winter King' Also Not Returning
'The Institute' Casts Simone Miller & Jason Diaz In MGM+ Series Based On Stephen King Novel
Wright portrays Jerome Greene, a kid from Harlem, driven by a fierce sense of duty and loyalty, who initially wants to fight in Vietnam but ultimately channels his passion into the Black Panthers, where he battles for justice and equality at home.
In Season 4 of the series, created by Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein, Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker) continues his bloody war for control of Harlem against New York’s Mafia families, while contending with the emergence of a potential rival in newly arrived Black gangster Frank Lucas (Rome Flynn). After Malcolm X’s (Jason Alan Carvell) tragic death, Bumpy must also grapple with his daughter Elise’s (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy) involvement with the Black Panthers.
Produced by ABC Signature, the series’ exec producers include Brancato, Eckstein, Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson, Markuann Smith, and Ray Quinlan. Michael Panes and Stephen Schiff serve as writing executive producers, with Swizz Beatz as executive music producer.
A series regular for two seasons of NBC’s American Auto, Washington has also been seen on shows like Ratched and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, as well as Joe Mantello’s Netflix pic The Boys in the Band.
A newcomer to television, Wright will also soon be seen in Spike Lee’s film High and Low for Apple and A24.
Washington and Wright are both repped by Untitled Entertainment and WME.
Best of Deadline
Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.