Erik LeRay Harvey returns in Godfather of Harlem Season 4 as Del Chance, one of Bumpy Johnson’s most dependable enforcers. But there’s something bigger threatening Bumpy’s criminal empire—the arrival of Frank Lucas, who wants to make his own name on the streets of New York. How much will Frank’s presence strain the longstanding relationship between Bumpy and Del?

Harvey opened up to TVBrittanyF.com about his journey on the MGM+ show, while also comparing Del Chance to another character TV viewers love him for: Lew Atwater, the complicated father of Detective Kevin Atwater on the NBC procedural Chicago PD. Learn his thoughts on the One Chicago connection between the two series, and what he thinks Del and Lew have in common.

Brittany Frederick: You’ve had three seasons to build a very specific alliance between Del Chance and Bumpy Johnson. How does the arrival of Frank Lucas in Godfather of Harlem Season 4 affect their bond?

Erik LeRay Harvey: That’s been the fun part of this season—this new character coming in called Frank Lucas. And we know Frank Lucas is a troublemaker, so we’re just going to see what kind of trouble is being caused. He’s a radical. You know that brings change, and change is always something very delicate to deal with. So the journey continues.

There is a connection for you, because Frank is played by Rome Flynn, who previously recurred on Chicago Fire. You have a recurring role on Chicago PD as Lew Atwater. What’s it like for you to play Del in this very not procedural crime show, and then step out to portray Lew?

That’s a good question, and I’m glad you asked. Of course, I’ve had a lot more time with Del Chance in Godfather of Harlem. Playing Atwater’s dad is also very exciting and very interesting. And I’m really interested to see where they go with that relationship.

We’ve [LaRoyce Hawkins and I] worked together before, but this is the new dynamic that we have now. And I’ve only done two or three episodes as his dad, so I’m really looking forward to see how that relationship develops and where it actually goes. Because Atwater’s dad is not too far removed from some of the other characters that I’ve played, so we’ll see how that works.

That’s the interesting thing about both characters, is getting to come back to them and watch them develop. You’ve had four seasons now to learn more about Del. Are you still surprised at what Chris Brancato and the writers come up with, or have you started to figure him out?

I am still surprised at what they throw. But no matter what they throw, I just want to make sure that I have the courage to fulfill it. Every year is different. Every year they raise the stakes as far as the danger is concerned. And it’s always been challenging. It’s been challenging as an actor to stand in that courage and be truthful with this character that I’ve been given.

I do feel that I know him like the back of my hand. I don’t think there are too many farfetched surprises that you’re going to see from Del. Del is a soldier. He doesn’t stray too far from being a soldier. So I don’t think that I need to really give an input. I think that they have written the character just as I would have written him. But I am not a writer. I don’t have that talent, so I’m really appreciative that they have done that for me. All I just have to do is live the character.

The social and historical content of Godfather of Harlem is something that truly sets the series apart. As an African-American actor, how much does it mean to play with this era in history that is so significant in Black history?

[I’m] so grateful. I’m a historical buff. I love history, and to be able to play a veteran of war—it’s been in my family. I’ve got a lot of uncles that have served, and to do them service, and to do them honor playing this character has truly been a blessing.

And to go back in time [to] sort of like a renaissance period of Harlem, to go back to that time and see all of these characters that we’ve heard about for so long that have influenced the community for generations leading up to now—you can’t describe any words. It’s such a blessing to go back.

Chicago PD airs Wednesdays at 9:00 p.m. on NBC, while Godfather of Harlem airs Sundays at 9:00 p.m. on MGM+.

Article content is (c)2020-2025 Brittany Frederick and may not be excerpted or reproduced without express written permission by the author. Follow me on Twitter at @BFTVTwtr and on Instagram at @BFTVGram. For story pitches, contact me at tvbrittanyf@yahoo.com.