EXCLUSIVE: Rome Flynn is ready to painting real-life drug lord Frank Lucas within the upcoming fourth season of the MGM+ collection Godfather of Harlem, in an origin story of types from an period that has evaded each TV and movie initiatives just like the Denzel Washington-led American Gangster.
Flynn will convey to life a pivotal second in Lucas’ life—going from “a rustic boy from North Carolina” to beginning a brand new life in Harlem. Whereas discovering his approach, he has “preliminary friction with gangster Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker)” however “finally rises to develop into Bumpy’s fierce defender and right-hand man.” In Godfather of Harlem, Lucas’ story begins 10 years sooner than American Gangster.
In our first-look at Flynn as Lucas beneath, he has simply exited a bus which has arrived at its vacation spot: New York. Lucas has a glance of curiosity blended with a little bit apprehension, which is in truth, most individuals’s response after they first go to the Huge Apple.
“Basically, Frank is escaping from his actuality in North Carolina and looking for a greater actuality,” Flynn tells Deadline about what headspace Lucas was when this scene was captured. “This primary shot exhibits him getting off the bus and getting into New York Metropolis seeing every thing for the primary time and making his method to Harlem.”
He added, “It’s at all times concerning the journey, determining why individuals do issues normally. That’s the actual foundation of what the enterprise is about to me. Performing is a mirrored image of the life round us at that second in time. What was life like for him as he’s stepping off that bus? I believe he noticed a brand new starting.”
Rome Flynn as Frank Lucas
Amazon
Created by Chris Brancato and the late Paul Eckstein, Godfather of Harlem tells a narrative impressed by notorious crime boss Bumpy Johnson, who within the early Sixties returned from 11 years in jail to search out the neighborhood he as soon as dominated in shambles.
In Season 4, Bumpy continues his bloody battle for management of Harlem in opposition to New York’s Mafia households, whereas contending with the emergence of a possible rival in newly arrived Black gangster Frank Lucas. After Malcolm X’s (Jason Alan Carvell) tragic loss of life, Bumpy should additionally grapple along with his daughter Elise’s (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy) involvement with the Black Panthers.
Flynn shares additional particulars on what viewers can anticipate from his collection debut, components that helped him develop into Lucas and whether or not or not he left Chicago Hearth for the MGM+ collection.
DEADLINE: Frank Lucas has been portrayed earlier than in numerous initiatives. What was your method to studying about the actual particular person?
ROME FLYNN: Frank Lucas might be some of the well-known American gangsters. Whenever you see him enter the world of Godfather of Harlem, he’s younger Frank Lucas however there’s a lineage from that time. My method to portraying a personality who has lived… it’s not in my curiosity to speak to members of the family or anybody who might have recognized him. Now we have our basis and the bones as to how we need to create [Frank Lucas] with Chris [Brancato] within the present and issues are nonetheless loosely primarily based on precise conditions. Like, he did go away North Carolina and go to Harlem, all of these issues are factual. I’ve intentionally tried to not go particularly into his life as a result of we’re not following that timeline. We’re following a timeline from his arrival in Harlem however so far as the small print and issues of that nature, that’s not likely what the present is about.
Denzel Washington famously performed his character in American Gangster however there are not any comparisons besides that we’re each taking part in the identical particular person. We’re making a extra totally dimensional character that I really feel movies don’t have the luxurious of [time] to painting which is a superb factor. With TV, you get to point out the intricacies and the complexity of not simply who Frank was, however who he’s at that time in his life whereas taking individuals on a journey together with him as he turns into the person everybody is aware of he turns into.
DEADLINE: What did your analysis entail?
FLYNN: I’m fairly well-versed on his life. I researched detailed-oriented issues, not essentially the story of his life. So I used to be eager about how he spoke, for instance. I used to be capable of finding a number of youthful footage of him that exist, however there aren’t many. In one of many youngest footage, he’s not even in his 20s. I’m looking for the small print that individuals most likely gained’t discover, however will assist me really feel extra grounded to play on this character.
There’s an adolescence about him when he’s as ruthless as might be and can also be unforgiving. I’ve to search out these traits and commonalities as a result of that’s what the viewers care about. The secret is discovering the synchronicities between these unlikely characters with regular individuals. That’s one thing I do after I’m making an attempt to undergo a script, determining how one thing feels for people who find themselves dwelling their on a regular basis lives. Enjoying this function specifically has been very transformative for me, extra so than something I’ve ever achieved. Folks will both be shocked or floored in a great way or a nasty approach, I don’t know. [Laughs]
DEADLINE: I did some research on Frank Lucas hoping to be taught extra about his relationship with Bumpy Johnson however there’s a variety of gray space the place recollections differ. How will Godfather of Harlem deal with that?
FLYNN: [Even with the grey area,] these two people are tied collectively. So far as particulars, we don’t know. However the advantage of tv is that it doesn’t matter. I believe that the antithesis of those two individuals and the time interval are all that issues and is what Chris is leaning into, not essentially what the conversations Bumpy and Frank had however their dynamic. When you ask me, I believe they’ll be butting heads early on. Frank is getting into this new world and making an attempt to determine how he suits in, however he’s like a bull in a china store. He didn’t actually care about making pals when he got here to Harlem. Whether or not on goal or subconsciously, he finally ends up studying loads from Bumpy.
Early on, we see these two very highly effective people—highly effective in several methods—going in direction of one another. Frank is highly effective in his perspective on not likely caring concerning the end result of conditions; being much less calculated and as an alternative being extra reactionary. Bumpy is sort of the alternative; he’s extra calculated and has extra ideas.
DEADLINE: There’s a rumor you left Chicago Hearth to work on Godfather of Harlem. True or false?
FLYNN: They weren’t related in any respect. I didn’t go away that present for this one. Every little thing simply occurred to prove that approach. It’s like you could have your individuals however you gained’t be with all of them perpetually. Typically, you meet a brand new particular person and also you join. I beloved my time there. I like the solid and the crew and I miss them loads. However all of us have our personal journeys, and I’m grateful for that chance. Now, I’m excited and grateful for this chance as a result of it’s giving me the prospect to step right into a life like I’ve by no means achieved earlier than.
This interview was edited and condensed for size and readability.
