The third season of Godfather of Harlem focused on Malcolm X’s final days, and many viewers eagerly anticipated Nigel Thatch’s portrayal of the civil rights activist’s most trying moments. After Thatch played Malcolm X in the 2014 film Selma, the part seemed to come naturally to him.
Many fans were taken aback when Jason Alan Carvell was revealed as the new Malcolm, leaving many to wonder why Nigel Thatch had to leave the program and why Malcolm X had to be changed.
According to co-producer Chris Brancato, Nigel Thatch was compelled to go to another project due to a scheduling difficulty that resulted from the third season’s production being delayed. As a result, the creators had to recast the part, and Jason Alan Carvell was the most suitable choice.
Both the creators and the fans praised both stars’ performances, with Carvell receiving more recognition for giving Malcolm a human face in his final days.
Thatch’s departure was startling to many because most actors would consider the opportunity to play Malcolm X a major luxury, especially on a show with a large fan base like Godfather of Harlem. Still, the new Malcolm X on the show did a fantastic job portraying the civil rights activist.
Even though the majority of fans cannot claim to have missed Thatch in the third season, it is still crucial to comprehend the reasons behind the hero’s face change in the series, so let’s take a closer look.
Why did Godfather of Harlem Recast Malcolm X?
The news that Godfather of Harlem would be renewed for a third season was postponed. Nigel Thatch, who played the role in the first two seasons, took on other projects during the ambiguity.
“The season began approximately four to five months later than anticipated, and Nigél had already committed to other projects.” One of the showrunners, Chris Brancato, stated.
In January 2022, almost seven months after the conclusion of the second season, the third season was revealed. The reason for the lengthy delay is unclear, but it got in the way of the showrunners’ preparations for the upcoming season.
According to Brancato, the show was approved for a third season pretty early on, therefore the announcement was inevitable because the third season was nearly a given.
“The dates didn’t work out, and Nigél had other projects to pursue, so it just took a while on the business side.” In an interview, Brancato explained why Nigel Thatch had to leave the show due to scheduling conflicts.
For the first two seasons of the show, Nigel Thatch played Malcolm X, and his collaboration with Forest Whitaker, who plays Bumpy Johson, was well praised.
Brancato said thatch’s performance was exceptional and that replacing him wasn’t simple. However, we discovered an actor with a similar gravity to Nigél in Jason Alan Carvell. “Brancato said.”
Thatch played Malcolm in Selma, an Oscar-nominated movie that focused only on Malcolm’s life after his journey to Mecca.
For Thatch, playing Malcolm from the moment he became an Islamist in Godfather of Harlem was a completely different experience.
As Malcolm at the same stage of his life as he was in Selma, the majority of fans were hoping for a rerun of his outstanding performance in the third season of Godfather of Harlem. However, his departure meant that never materialized.
In a 2019 interview, Nigel Thatch stated that it was challenging to play the younger Malcolm in Godfather of Harlem since the character was still bound to Elijah Mohammad’s teachings.
In his interview, he nevertheless valued the carefully thought-out script written by Paul Eckstein and Chris Brancato. However, he has not yet disclosed his reasons for leaving the show in 2022.
Who is Godfather of Harlem’s New Malcolm X?
After Nigel Thatch’s departure, Jason Alan Carvell was chosen to play Malcolm X in the third season of Godfather of Harlem.
With more than twenty years of expertise on the tiny screen, Carvell is a seasoned performer. After landing his biggest TV role as Jimmy Boyd in NCIS: New Orleans, he was cast as Malcolm X.
Carvell played Malcolm X for the first time, unlike Nigel Thatch, who had previously portrayed the part, but his performance was strong enough to earn him a spot with Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, and other well-known actors who have performed the role brilliantly.
“What we found in Jason Alan Carvell is an actor who has a presence and a gravitas similar to Nigél, as well as a warmth that we found very appealing.” About the star’s performance, Brancato said.
Despite the civil rights activist’s challenging circumstances, Carvell managed to convey Malcolm X’s warmth and sense of humor, which greatly enhanced the character’s humanity.
Carvell’s humorous portrayal of Malcolm X’s final days made Malcolm more engaging to watch in the third season of the show, and the resigned Malcolm X, who wasn’t concerned about his death, better prepared fans for what was to follow.
However, after Carvell assumed the role, Malcolm X’s tenacity, which allowed him to take on characters like Chin Gigante and Elijah Mohammad in the first two seasons of the program, has been gone.
The writing, not Carvell’s performance, is the reason for the third season’s flatter Malcolm, who speaks more and does less action.
Are you wondering why Malcolm X was recast in Godfather of Harlem? Explore the complete backstory of Jason Alan Carvell’s riveting performance and Nigel Thatch’s exit. For a thorough analysis of the show’s significant change and its implications for Malcolm X’s legacy on television, visit our website!