AceShowbiz - Forest Whitaker has signed on to executive produce and star in a TV series about crime boss Bumpy Johnson. The "Black Panther" actor will tackle the real-life character in "Godfather of Harlem", which will be written and executive produced by Chris Brancato and Paul Eckstein.

The TV drama will center on Johnson's efforts to regain control of his New York neighbourhood from the Genovese mob family after serving a 10-year prison sentence in the 1950s. Johnson subsequently teamed up with civil rights activist Malcolm X, but their alliance was doomed.

Production on the 10-episode series is slated to begin later this year and the premiere is planned for 2019 on American network Epix.