*Rome Flynn is stepping into power—and pressure—as he takes on the role of a young Frank Lucas in Season 4 of the MGM+ series “Godfather of Harlem.”
Lucas was a visionary and a force known for his street empire and cultural influence. But according to Flynn, the version we meet this season is far from the drug kingpin we’ve seen in other films.
“When we meet him, he’s not those things yet,” Flynn shared with EUR. “He’s just a kid who came from a traumatic situation, trying to flee his circumstances and find a new home in Harlem.”
Flynn Had to Learn the Psychology of Frank Lucas
Flynn’s portrayal dives into the psychology of the man who would eventually rise to dominate the Harlem drug trade.
“Because of his upbringing and the things he went through, it shifted his perspective on people in general,” he explains. “That’s part of why he ultimately becomes who he is.”
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While viewers will get flashes of the iconic swagger and cold ambition, Flynn says the character is still discovering himself.
“You’ll see little flashes, like, ‘Okay, I see that.’ But this season is about planting the seeds—integrating him into Harlem, bumping his head a few times, and navigating who he’s becoming.”
Like Being A Lion in A Jungle
And then there’s the power dynamic with Bumpy Johnson, played by Forest Whitaker.
“It’s like being a lion in a new jungle—you want to know who the other lion is,” Flynn says. “He doesn’t quite know how to go about it yet. So there are lessons, consequences, and a lot of bumping heads.”
When asked how he balanced Frank’s duality—equal parts charm and chaos—Flynn reflected on the internal battle.
“It’s a trap to play a character like this on one note,” he says. “It’s more interesting to see a man trying to navigate the trauma he’s had and how it shapes him. My job was to plant those seeds that show how he ends up where he ultimately does.”
The “Godfather of Harlem” universe is as stylish as it is gritty, and Flynn shares that wardrobe played a key role in his transformation.
“There’s one piece I wear that became a staple for Frank. It started off random but grew into something he felt attached to—like a bridge between his past and the man he’s trying to become.”
Flynn Talks Black Panthers Showing up in Harlem
Flynn, who watched the show before joining the cast, says he appreciated how the new season brings more cultural and historical weight.
“This season, we see the Black Panthers and other key figures from that era,” he says. “I’ve learned just by being on set, talking to other actors, and reading the scripts. It’s powerful.”
So, what would a young Frank Lucas’ Instagram bio say during this pivotal period? Flynn doesn’t miss a beat: “Country boy taking over Harlem,” he laughs. “There’s a phrase I came up with—‘Harlem is a jungle and everybody gotta eat. But nobody’s hungrier than me.’ That’s who he is.”
Season 4 of “Godfather of Harlem” drops April 13 on MGM+.
Jill Munroe is a Los Angeles-bred entertainment journalist, producer, and host. Follow her socials @StilettoJill or visit JillMunroe.com. Catch her live M-F on KBLA Talk 1580 from 6PM to 7PM.
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