EXCLUSIVE: Godfather of Harlem is coming to end and getting a proper conclusion. MGM+ has ordered a two-hour series finale for the crime drama series that will wrap the four-season saga about 1960s Harlem gangster Bumpy Johnson, played by Forest Whitaker. The news comes a year after the Season 4 finale of the 20th Television production premiered on June 22, 2025.

Production on the two-hour finale is slated to begin July 10 at the show’s Brooklyn, NY set.

Created by Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein, Godfather of Harlem has been a flagship series for MGM+. It originated on predecessor Epix, quickly becoming its signature drama, with its third season used to launch the rebrand of network and streamer on January 15, 2023. In recognition of The Godfather of Harlem‘s legacy, which predates Amazon’s acquisition of MGM, the show is now getting a proper sendoff with the two-hour finale.

In it, Bumpy Johnson faces the ultimate reckoning as the walls close in around his empire. With enemies converging from every direction—political, criminal, and personal—Bumpy must draw on every alliance, every sacrifice, and every hard lesson earned across five seasons to protect what he has built and the people he loves.

In addition to Oscar winner Whitaker, the series finale will see the return of Ilfenesh Hadera (She’s Gotta Have It), Antoinette Crowe-Legacy (WeCrashed), Erik LaRay Harvey (Luke Cage, Boardwalk Empire), and Rome Flynn (How to Get Away with Murder, Imperfect Women), among others. Guest star casting for the finale will be announced later.

The Godfather of Harlem finale goes into production just as Brancato has his third MGM+ series which he co-created, The Westies, premiering on July 12. The Westies follows the Irish-American organized mob, who brush up against New York’s majority ruled Italian mafia, during the construction of the Jacob Javits Convention Center on the Westies’ Hell’s Kitchen home turf. Brancato also created the MGM+ series Hotel Cocaine which tells the story of Roman Compte; a Cuban exile, CIA operative, and general manager of the Hotel Mutiny, which was the epicenter of the late ’70s and early ’80s Miami cocaine scene.

“Playing Bumpy Johnson has been one of the greatest experiences of my career,” said Whitaker. “This character, this story, and this ensemble have allowed me to explore the complexity of a man caught between ambition, loyalty, and survival. I’m grateful to Michael Wright and MGM+, Chris Brancato, 20th Television, Amazon, the entire creative team, and our extraordinary cast, for five seasons of exceptional collaboration.”

“Forest Whitaker’s portrayal of Bumpy Johnson has been nothing short of extraordinary, and this series has been a defining jewel of MGM+’s original programming slate,” said Michael Wright, global head of MGM+. “We are deeply proud to give Godfather of Harlem the sendoff it deserves—a two-hour finale that honors the ambition, craft, and emotional power the creative team and cast have brought to this series from day one. This is exactly the kind of bold, character-driven storytelling that MGM+ was built to champion.”

“I’m grateful to MGM+, 20th Television, and our talented cast and crew for the opportunity to complete Bumpy Johnson’s extraordinary journey,” said Brancato. “Forest has filled the role with his signature blend of intelligence, ferocity, and gentility, bringing to life the boss who ruled Harlem’s streets for more than two decades.”

Produced by 20th Television, Godfather of Harlem is executive produced by Brancato, Michael Panes, Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson, and Markuann Smith. Swizz Beatz serves as executive music producer.

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