Godfather of Harlem is known for its raw, unflinching look at the turbulent 1960s, and this season, the stakes are higher than ever. We had the chance to speak with Erik LaRay Harvey and Elvis Nolasco about their powerful roles in Godfather of Harlem. During our conversation, they shared insight into how they prepared for their roles, their characters’ journeys this season, and the energy they bring into their scenes together. It was a great interview filled with real passion for the story they’re helping to tell.
The Weight of HistoryÂ
“It was a bit sad for me, we are coming off the death of Malcolm X, right? And he is such a big influence in the community, it is such a loss. It’s a tumultuous time.”
He didn’t shy away from painting the broader, chaotic landscape: Martin Luther King’s assassination looming, JFK already gone, the Black Panthers rising — a time when the world felt like it was spinning out of control. Harvey noted that his character is trying to adapt, aiming to transition from the underground world into legitimate business.
“With any new thing there are elements of surprise… It’s a mysterious, adventurous, and scary time,” he added.
That sense of uncertainty bleeds into every decision on screen this season, making for some truly electric performances.
Loyalty, Power, and Survival in a Shifting WorldÂ
“You see the times slowly changing,” he said. “Politically, there is just mayhem everywhere in the Black community. We’re getting it from the cops, from the politicians — from all angles.”
For Nolasco, portraying Nat in this environment is all about navigating survival. The Vietnam War is ramping up, cultural movements like Woodstock are just around the corner, and yet for Black Americans, the fight remains brutally close to home.
“How do I move into this world?” he mused. “The interesting thing for us as actors — we don’t know script to script what’s coming… Being able to be connected to what this time period was where so much was going on, it makes this season even more impactful.”
Both Harvey and Nolasco emphasized that this season doesn’t just tell a story — it plunges you into the heart of an era where every moment felt like it could change everything.
A Season That Feels RealÂ
“I think when people watch this, they are going to really connect with it,” said Nolasco. “We are taking it right back to what that felt like.”
With performances grounded in the real emotions of the time, the show promises to hit harder and feel more immediate than ever before.
Buckle up — it’s going to be a wild ride through history.
Watch the full interview here:Â Â
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