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Rome Flynn, a familiar name and face in Hollywood, has steadily built his career with roles in The Bold and the Beautiful, How to Get Away with Murder, Raising Dion, Drumline: A New Beat, and more. Now, he takes on a transformative role as Frank Lucas in Godfather of Harlem—a character unlike any he’s portrayed before.

Fresh off the bus from North Carolina, Flynn’s character, Frank Lucas, steps into Harlem with a sense of urgency, ready to make his mark. As the season unfolds, Lucas transforms from a wide-eyed newcomer to someone who earns his place alongside Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker) and his crew. Flynn’s portrayal adds depth to the character, showing not only Lucas’ ambition but also the complexities of his rise in Harlem.

Since this is Flynn’s first role as a gritty character like Frank Lucas, he dove deep into his research. He spoke to people who could speak on Lucas’ life, learned about his family, and focused on specific details that would help him bring authenticity to the role.

“The biggest challenge for me was honoring Frank Lucas, the man—not just honoring the stories or what I may have learned about him, but taking my own time and the journey of discovering who he was to me,” Flynn said.

What drew Flynn to the role was the chance to work with legendary actors like Whitaker and showrunner Chris Brancato. He was also drawn to the show’s commitment to telling authentic stories about the 1960s. With civil rights tensions rising and the introduction of the Black Panther Party in season four, Godfather of Harlem continues to explore the political and cultural shifts of the era. Flynn’s goal was to portray Lucas as a fully dimensional, complex human.

“I made sure my accent was consistent with my mannerisms and decision-making,” Flynn said. “The detail of it all was something that was really important to me because I knew if I took the time to discover these things, hopefully, when people watched it, it would pay off.”

For those who were hooked on seasons 1-3, be prepared to be drawn in once again by the gripping storytelling and powerful performances in season four. Flynn’s compelling portrayal of Frank Lucas proves he’s one to watch.

Season four of Godfather of Harlem premieres April 13 on MGM+ and the MGM+ app. The first three seasons are currently available to stream on MGM+ and Hulu.

Watch the official trailer for the series below.

 

Photo Credit: Amazon MGM Studios