Exclusive: Rome Flynn is set to portray real-life drug lord Frank Lucas in the upcoming fourth season of the MGM+ series Godfather of Harlem, in an origin story of sorts from an era that has evaded both TV and film projects like the Denzel Washington-led American Gangster.

Flynn will bring to life a pivotal moment in Lucas’ life—going from “a country boy from North Carolina” to starting a new life in Harlem. While finding his way, he has “initial friction with gangster Bumpy Johnson (Forest Whitaker)” but “eventually rises to become Bumpy’s fierce defender and right-hand man.” In Godfather of Harlem, Lucas’ story begins 10 years earlier than American Gangster.

In our first-look at Flynn as Lucas below, he has just exited a bus which has arrived at its destination: New York. Lucas has a look of curiosity mixed with a little apprehension, which is truthfully, most people...