InGodfather of Harlem, Lucas story begins 10 years earlier thanAmerican Gangster.
He added, Its always about the journey, figuring out why people do things in general.
Thats the real basis of what the business is about to me.
Rome Flynn and Frank LucasRual Romo/Wil Blanche /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images
Acting is a reflection of the life around us at that moment in time.
What was life like for him as hes stepping off that bus?
I think he saw a new beginning.
Rome Flynn as Frank LucasAmazon
DEADLINE: Frank Lucas has been portrayed before in various projects.
What was your approach to learning about the real person?
ROME FLYNN:Frank Lucas is probably one of the most well-known American gangsters.
Like, he did leave North Carolina and go to Harlem, all of those things are factual.
Ive deliberately tried not to go specifically into his life because were not following that timeline.
DEADLINE: What did your research entail?
FLYNN:Im pretty well-versed on his life.
I researched detailed-oriented things, not necessarily the story of his life.
So I was interested in how he spoke, for example.
I was able to find a few younger pictures of him that exist, but there arent many.
In one of the youngest pictures, hes not even in his 20s.
Theres an adolescence about him when hes as ruthless as can be and is also unforgiving.
I have to find those characteristics and commonalities because thats what the viewers care about.
The key is finding the synchronicities between these unlikely characters with normal people.
Playing this role in particular has been very transformative for me, more so than anything Ive ever done.
People will either be shocked or floored in a good way or a bad way, I dont know.
How willGodfather of Harlemhandle that?
FLYNN:[Even with the grey area,] these two individuals are tied together.
As far as details, we dont know.
But the good thing about television is that it doesnt matter.
If you ask me, I think theyll be butting heads early on.
He didnt really care about making friends when he came to Harlem.
Whether on purpose or subconsciously, he ends up learning a lot from Bumpy.
Early on, we see these two very powerful individualspowerful in different waysgoing towards each other.
Bumpy is almost the opposite; hes more calculated and has more principles.
DEADLINE: Theres a rumor you leftChicago Fireto work onGodfather of Harlem.
FLYNN:They were not connected at all.
I did not leave that show for this one.
Everything just happened to turn out that way.
Its like you have your people but you wont be with all of them forever.
Sometimes, you meet a new person and you connect.
I loved my time there.
I love the cast and the crew and I miss them a lot.
But we all have our own journeys, and Im grateful for that opportunity.
This interview was edited and condensed for length and clarity.
