
TV show · documentary
By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem
2020 · 1 season, 4 episodes · miniseries
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Seasons and episodes By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem
Season scores: TMDB, out of 10.
Season 1
2020 · 4 episodes · about 3h · 1.0/10
1. Mecca50 min · 1.0/10
The 'cultural capital of Black America,' 1960s Harlem faces problems and rising tensions as all over the country, civil rights protests proliferate. As the decade unfolds, music gives voice to a community fighting for justice.
2. Freedom Songs50 min · 1.0/10
A musical, political and spiritual revolution gains momentum across Black America, inspiring Jazz greats John Coltrane, Charlie Mingus and Max Roach to express their activism through their instruments, and Abbey Lincoln to vocalize her pain in song.
3. Crossroads50 min · 1.0/10
The rich diversity of the Harlem population shapes new forms of music that draw on different sounds and styles heard around the neighborhood, like R&B, jazz, soul, mambo, blues, and 'boogaloo,' all of which reflect the common goal of racial justice.
4. Power50 min · 1.0/10
New voices like the Black Panthers offer a message to Black America: reform is not enough; it's time for revolution. The call for Black Power sparks a cultural shift not just in Harlem, but around the world, as Black music infiltrates the mainstream.
Season summaries1 season, 4 episodes
Season 1
2020 · 4 episodes · about 3h · TMDB 1.0
1 season, 4 episodes, about 3h in total, from November 8, 2020 to November 29, 2020. Episodes run about 50 min.
Is it worth watching? By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem
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Reception
On other sites
3.3/103 votes
What is it about? By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem
Inspired by the music and subjects featured in the series “Godfather of Harlem,” this documentary series brings alive the dramatic true story of Harlem and its music during the 1960s, and connects that history to our present moment.
Genre: documentary. Themes: harlem, new york city, 1960s, america, civil rights movement, music, black liberation.
Cast and crew By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem
AllCreators
- Created byKeith McQuirter
- CinematographyDerek Wiesehahn
- NetworkEpix
Full cast21 cast members across all seasons
Cast:
- Forest Whitaker · Self · 4 ep.
- Giancarlo Esposito · Self · 4 ep.
- Ilfenesh Hadera · Self · 4 ep.
- Gladys Knight · Self · 4 ep.
- Martha Reeves · Self · 4 ep.
- Jamal Joseph · Self · 4 ep.
- Herbie Hancock · Self · 4 ep.
- Markuann Smith · Self · 4 ep.
- Denise Oliver-Velez · Self · 4 ep.
- Gary Bartz · Self · 4 ep.
- Joe Baatan · Self · 4 ep.
- Al Sharpton · Self · 4 ep.
- Felipe Luciano · Self · 4 ep.
- Nile Rodgers · Self · 4 ep.
- Adger W. Cowans · Self · 4 ep.
- Robin Clark · Self · 4 ep.
- Charles Rangel · Self · 4 ep.
- A$AP Ferg · Self · 4 ep.
- Chika · Self · 4 ep.
- Carlos Alomar · Self · 4 ep.
- Herb Boyd · Self · 4 ep.
Crew:
- Derek Wiesehahn · Director of Photography
- Keith McQuirter · Director
- Leslie Asako Gladsjø · Producer
- Keith McQuirter · Executive Producer
- Forest Whitaker · Executive Producer
- Jill Burkhart · Executive Producer
- Cyndee Readdean · Producer
- Nina Yang Bongiovi · Executive Producer
- Michael Wright · Executive Producer
- Chris Brancato · Executive Producer
- Paul Eckstein · Executive Producer
- Leslie Asako Gladsjø · Writer
Trailer By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem
ENBy Whatever Means Necessary (EPIX 2020 Series) :30s PromoNovember 11, 2020Shows like this By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem
Details By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem

- First episode
- November 8, 2020
- Last episode
- November 29, 2020
- Status
- miniseries
- Network
- Epix
- Country
- United States
- Original language
- English
- Rating
- TV-14
- Studios
- Significant Productions, Decoder Media
Frequently asked questions
How many seasons does By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem have?
1 season, 4 episodes. The last episode aired November 29, 2020.
Who’s in By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem?
Forest Whitaker, Giancarlo Esposito, Ilfenesh Hadera, Gladys Knight, Martha Reeves, Jamal Joseph, Herbie Hancock, Markuann Smith, Denise Oliver-Velez, and Gary Bartz. Created by Keith McQuirter.
Sources: TMDB (title data, images). As of November 13, 2026. This product uses the TMDB API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDB. · Ta strona po polsku



















