‘Godfather of Harlem’ Season 3 Trailer: Forest Whitaker Rules, Whoopi Goldberg Returns (VIDEO)

Bumpy Johnson’s Harlem territory is under threat from the Italian crime families in the Godfather of Harlem Season 3 trailer, which TV Insider exclusively premieres above. Starring Forest Whitaker (Andor) as the infamous mobster, the third season of the lauded gangster epic will premiere Sunday, January 15 at 9/8c on the newly branded MGM+, formerly known as Epix.

The Godfather of Harlem trailer confirms the return of Whoopi Goldberg (The View) as Miss Willa and introduces Michael Raymond-James (See, Law & Order: Organized Crime) as Italian mob boss Joe Colombo. Jason Alan Carvell (NCIS: New Orleans, The Baker and the Beauty) will now play Malcolm X, replacing Nigel Thatch (who also played the civil rights activist in Selma).

Godfather of Harlem tells a story inspired by infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson (Whitaker), who, in the early 1960s, returned from 11 years in prison to find the neighborhood he once ruled in shambles. Season 3 will find Bumpy Johnson continuing to battle for control of Harlem, with other aspirants to the throne, namely the Cuban Mafia from neighboring Spanish Harlem.

Taking on the Cuban mob will put Bumpy, his loved ones, and his community in the crosshairs of not only the rival Italians, but ruthless Latin assassins and, ultimately, the CIA. Godfather of Harlem is a collision of the criminal underworld and the civil rights movement during one of the most tumultuous times in American history.

The sneak peek into this season’s upcoming chaos shows Whitaker frequently facing off with Raymond-James’ Colombo. To maintain control of Harlem, he’ll need to make a deal with the Italians. But it seems Colombo is far from interested in letting Bumpy control things on his own terms.

Whitaker stars and executive produces the series. Returning cast members include Vincent D’Onofrio (Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Daredevil), Ilfenesh Hadera (She’s Gotta Have It, Baywatch), Lucy Fry (Bright, 2014’s Vampire Academy), Antoinette Crowe-Legacy (Geechee, Passing), and Giancarlo Esposito (Better Call Saul, The Mandalorian).

Godfather of Harlem, Season 3 Premiere, Sunday, January 15, MGM+