Emmy Award-winning actor Rome Flynn, renowned for his roles in With Love and How To Get Away With Murder, is set to join the cast of the MGM+ series Godfather of Harlem for its fourth season.

Flynn will take on the role of the notorious gangster Frank Lucas, a character described as “a country boy from North Carolina who ventured to Harlem and, after initial friction with gangster Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker), eventually rose to become Bumpy’s fierce defender and right-hand man.” Lucas, famously portrayed by Denzel Washington in the film American Gangster, will have his backstory explored in the series, starting a decade before the events depicted in the movie.

Godfather of Harlem, created by Chris Brancato (known for Narcos and Hotel Cocaine) and the late Paul Eckstein, follows the story of infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson. Upon his release from an 11-year prison stint in the early 1960s, Bumpy returns to a deteriorated Harlem and must reassert his control. Season 4 will see Bumpy embroiled in a bloody battle against New York’s Mafia families while facing a new challenge with the arrival of Frank Lucas as a potential rival.

After the tragic death of Malcolm X (Jason Alan Carvell), Bumpy also contends with his daughter Elise’s (Antoinette Crowe-Legacy) increasing involvement with the Black Panthers, adding another layer of complexity to his struggle.

“When I saw Rome’s audition, I immediately knew we’d found our man – equal parts charming and ruthless, savvy and suave. Rome is a wonderful actor who can go toe-to-toe with Forest Whitaker and our other great performers,” said Brancato in a statement to Deadline.

Returning for Season 4 alongside Whitaker are Ilfenesh Hadera, Lucy Fry, Antoinette Crowe-Legacy, and Erik LaRay Harvey. The first three seasons are currently available for streaming on MGM+.

The series, produced by ABC Signature, boasts an impressive lineup of executive producers, including Brancato, the late Paul Eckstein, Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson, Markuann Smith, and Ray Quinlan. Michael Panes and Stephen Schiff serve as writing executive producers, with Swizz Beatz as the executive music producer.

“I’m filled with gratitude! Thrilled to be a part of the Godfather of Harlem universe and breathe new life into the legend of Frank Lucas. I have so much admiration for Forest Whitaker. Working opposite him, being led by the brilliant creator Chris Brancato, is truly a gift. An actor’s dream,” Flynn shared.

Flynn recently appeared on NBC’s Chicago Fire as firefighter Derrick Gibson in Season 12. His other notable roles include Santiago Zayas in Gloria Calderon Kellett’s Prime Video series With Love and Anderson Fisher in the Paramount+ film Fantasy Football, where he starred alongside Omari Hardwick and Kelly Rowland.