BLACK IN THE GREEN ROOM
Markuann Smith doesn’t just act in “Godfather of Harlem”—he helped build it from the ground up. The Harlem-born actor and executive producer has spent more than two decades working to bring the story of Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson to the screen, and it’s clear that for him, this project is personal.
“It started off in Lennox Terrace,” Smith recalled, referencing the Harlem apartment complex where he grew up. “If you know about Lennox Terrace, it’s one of the places where politicians, athletes, everyone wanted to move in.” Harlem, to him, wasn’t just a backdrop—it was the heartbeat of his upbringing and his storytelling.
Smith’s journey to “Godfather of Harlem” began in the world of television production. He cut his teeth at networks like BET and MTV, where he developed his eye for entertainment behind the scenes. But something inside him kept pushing for more.
“I was always the type of person to play offense, not just defense,” he said. “I’ve worn so many hats—actor, producer, creator—I’ve been in rooms a lot of folks don’t even know exist.”
The road to creating “Godfather of Harlem” was anything but smooth. Smith remembered a critical moment when, scanning IMDb Pro for talent, he came across Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein—creators of the hit series “Narcos.”
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“I just reached out,” he said. “Paul flew out to New York to meet me. He was a big, sprawling guy—man, I miss him so much. He said to me, ‘You know what? Bumpy put my grandmother through Secretarial College. We did “Hoodlum.” I want to make this happen.’
That connection helped launch what would become a defining chapter in Smith’s life. But it wasn’t just about making a crime drama. Smith was determined to tell the real story of Bumpy Johnson—one that hadn’t been fully captured in earlier portrayals in films like “Hoodlum,” “The Cotton Club,” or “American Gangster.”
“I made a promise almost 20 years ago to my godmother that I would go out there and get the real story of who her grandfather was,” Smith said. “Not the one you saw in the movies—but as accurate as we could portray it.”
That grandfather was Ellsworth “Bumpy” Johnson, a complex man who sat at the crossroads of Harlem history, organized crime, and Black intellect. “He wasn’t just a gangster,” Smith explained. “He read Shakespeare. He read Nietzsche. There were rumors he beat Bobby Fischer in chess.”
To bring such a layered character to life, Smith knew the show had to sound as bold as it looked. That’s when Swizz Beatz entered the picture. “Swizz set the tone for this series,” Smith said. “His sound had the grit, the culture—it matched everything we were building visually.”
Collaboration has been a cornerstone of the series, and that continued in the most recent season with the addition of actor Rome Flynn. For Smith, casting is about more than just talent—it’s about trust and vision.
“I look for people who fit,” he said. “Whether it’s Swizz or Rome, it’s about the energy they bring and the belief they have in the story we’re telling.”
And while Smith has helped create one of the most culturally resonant series on television, he still carries the lessons of Harlem—and hustle—into every room.
“When people look back at my journey, I want them to see someone who believed in himself,” he said. “The loudest boos come from the cheapest seats. If opportunity doesn’t open the door, go to Home Depot, get some lumber, and build your own.”
Smith’s words aren’t just for aspiring filmmakers. His story is a call to anyone with a dream they haven’t chased yet.
“Create your own path. Create your own lane,” he urged. “Get off your couch, get out your bed, and go get yours—because there are more years behind us than in front of us. Life is short. Tomorrow’s not promised.”
Now, as “Godfather of Harlem” enters its fourth season on MGM+, Smith continues to push boundaries and amplify stories rooted in history and heart. And he does it all while staying true to the city that raised him.
“I couldn’t ask for the cards to align better,” Smith said. “Harlem gave me the blueprint—and I’m just trying to honor it.”
