Following the recent casting of Breaking Bad‘s Giancarlo Esposito as Adam Clayton Powell, Deadline reports that Rafi Gavron (A Star is Born, Homecoming) has officially been cast as a series regular in Epix’s upcoming crime drama series Godfather of Harlem. He’ll star alongside Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker (The Last King of Scotland, Black Panther).
Gavron is set to portray the role of a flashy young mobster named Ernie Nunzi who dreams of getting “made” into the Genovese Family. Ernie described as an ambitious, brutally handsome and violent young man who is part of the new breed of Mafia influenced by the turbulent sixties.
RELATED: Forest Whitaker to Star in Crime Drama Godfather of Harlem
Godfather for Harlem tells the story of crime boss Bumpy Johnson (Whitaker), who in the early 1960s returned after 10 years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles. With the streets controlled by the Italian mob, Bumpy takes on the Genovese crime family to regain control. During the brutal battle, he forms an alliance with radical preacher Malcolm X — catching his political rise in the crosshairs of social upheaval and a mob war that threatens to tear the city apart. The series is described as a collision of the criminal underworld and the civil rights movement during one of the most tumultuous times in American history.
The series also stars Crowe-Legacy as Elise, Vincent D’Onofrio as Vincent Giganter and Ilfenesh Hadera as Mayme Johnsom and Nigel Thatch as Malcolm X.
Whitaker is set to executive produce alongside his Significant Productions banner topper Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson and Markuann Smith along with Chris Brancato (Narcos) and Paul Eckstein, also serving as writers for the ABC Signature Studios project.
RELATED: Ben Kingsley Joins EPIX Series Our Lady, LTD
Godfather of Harlem serves as Whitaker’s first series regular role since he starred in CBS’ Criminal Minds spinoff Suspect Behavior in 2011. He won the Oscar for his leading role in The Last King of Scotland and had a recurring role on Fox’s Empire. Godfather of Harlem joins a scripted roster for Epix, including drama Berlin Station and comedy Get Shorty. The deal comes after Wright took over the cabler for Mark Greenberg five months ago.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
