Godfather of Harlem returns on April 13 for its fourth season, and this time, fans will see a younger version of the infamous Frank Lucas, portrayed by actor Rome Flynn. Flynn, known for his roles in How to Get Away with Murder and With Love, takes on one of the most iconic figures in American gangster history.
As Lucas rises through the ranks of Harlem’s criminal underworld in the 1960s, Flynn dives deep into both the mental and physical preparation required to embody the legendary figure.
“It was one of the greatest joys of the work that I’ve been able to do over the past 10 years,” Flynn shared in an exclusive interview with The Quintessential Gentleman. “A lot of projects I’ve done so far sort of prepared me to be able to tackle this kind of job.”
This season, viewers will see a whole new side of Flynn—gritty, ruthless, and determined to follow no one’s lead but his own.
For Flynn, portraying Frank Lucas wasn’t just about acting—it was about becoming the character. The young Frank Lucas, before the world knew his name, was a complex figure whose story began in the heart of Harlem. To prepare, Flynn immersed himself in researching the era and Lucas’ early years, learning about 1960s Harlem and how the socio-political climate shaped Lucas’ character.
“I wanted to make sure I tried to stay true to the physique of a young man during that time period in the 1960s,” Flynn explained. “There’s not pictures or videos of Frank Lucas at that age, but I did research on the diet, how people ate, the climate, and just how things were.”
Beyond the physical transformation, Flynn took time to understand the psychological state of Lucas. He delved into the racial tensions of the era and the struggles Lucas faced as a young Black man trying to make his mark in Harlem.
“Mentally, it was about preparing myself to step into his shoes during a time when there was a lot of racial tension,” Flynn said.
Working alongside acting titan Forest Whitaker, who plays Bumpy Johnson, was both an honor and a lesson in professionalism for Flynn.
“I respect his resume. I respect the things he’s accomplished in his career,” he said. “So for me, it was less about picking his brain and more about learning by witnessing what he does—just watching him work in scenes.”
As the series explores Frank Lucas’ initial arrival in Harlem and his eventual rise within the Harlem drug world, Flynn’s portrayal is a more nuanced take on the iconic gangster. The character’s relationship with Bumpy Johnson will evolve, exploring both their tensions and alliances throughout the season.
“It’s about finding how these two giants can coexist,” Flynn said, referring to the complicated dynamic between Frank and Bumpy. “We do walk the line of things that are very credible… but as far as the intricacies and the details of relationships, it’s still storytelling at the end of the day.”
Season 4 also introduces significant new characters, including James Baldwin (played by Michael Benjamin Washington) and Afeni Shakur (Devin Kessler).
Fans can catch the fourth season of Godfather of Harlem when it premieres on April 13, only on MGM+.
