Epix orders Forest Whitaker drama

US cablenet Epix, backed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, has made a straight-to-series order for a 10-part drama set to star Oscar winner Forest Whitaker.

Forest Whitaker

Godfather of Harlem is from US-based ABC Signature Studios and is being written and executive produced by Narcos duo Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein.

The pair will exec produce alongside Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, James Acheson and Markuann Smith. Brancato is also attached as showrunner, with production to begin later this year and a 2019 premiere planned.

The show is set in the 1960s amid social upheaval and tells the true story of infamous crime boss Bumpy Johnson, who attempts to take back control of the neighbourhood he once ruled after a decade in prison.

Michael Wright, president of Epix, said: “It’s an exciting and relevant story, brought to life by passionate, extraordinary talent and a great studio in ABC Signature. It’s exactly the kind of series we want to put on Epix as we build awareness and expand the network’s distribution across the country.”

Whitaker said the show had a “powerful relevance to the issues we face today: gang violence, police brutality, opioid addiction and racial politics in a divided country.”

Epix appointed Nancy Cotton as executive VP for original programming in March, reporting to Wright, who joined the company late last year. She replaced Joselyn Diaz, who left in January, shortly after the arrival of Wright.

Series in the pipeline at Epix include The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair, based on the novel of the same name by Joël Dicker, and a second season of Get Shorty, both of which will be produced by MGM Television.

MGM became the sole owner of the network last year after buying out the stakes held by Viacom and Lionsgate.