Forest Whitaker cast in MGM+ series Emperor of Ocean's Park

Forest Whitaker (Godfather of Harlem) has been added to the cast of Emperor of Ocean Park. Emperor of Ocean Park is a new exciting thriller series inspired by the bestseller of the same name by Stephen L. Carter. The series comes from John Wells and Sherman Payne and is set in the world of politics, Ivy League academia and the beaches of Martha's Vineyard.

It follows Talcott Garland (Grantham Coleman), an Ivy League law professor whose quiet life is disrupted when his father, Judge Oliver Garland, dies of an apparent heart attack. The nature of the judge's death is questioned by Tal's sister, Mariah (Tiffany Mack), a former journalist and inveterate conspiracy theorist, who believes the judge, a failed black Supreme Court nominee, has uncovered foul play.



Whitaker (pictured) will play Judge Oliver Garland, the patriarch of his family and a formidable figure in national politics and the legal system. He is strict, intelligent, calculating and proud. As a black man in America, navigating an unwelcoming and often hostile environment, he has formed a tough exterior that he has come to rely on as a shield. He is a devoted father whose devotion to his family simultaneously supports and undermines his deeply held and rigidly conservative principles.

“I’m incredibly excited for the legendary Forest Whitaker to join Emperor of Ocean Park,” said Payne in a statement. “Portraying the patriarch of our onscreen family, Forest brings thoughtfulness, leadership, and unimpeachable talent to an already incredible cast. Since the very first draft, Forest has been my dream candidate for this role, and it is truly humbling that we are now working together to bring this story to life.”

Added Whitaker, I’m excited to be playing Judge Oliver Garland, and thank John Wells, Sherman Payne and Michael Wright for this opportunity to join the cast and crew of Emperor of Ocean Park, as we bring Stephen L. Carter’s extraordinary novel to life.”

In addition to Whitaker and Coleman, the cast also includes Tiffany Mack and Paulina Lule.

Emperor of Ocean Park is produced by JWP in association with Warner Bros. Television, where JWP is under an umbrella deal. Damian Marcano will direct several episodes. JWP's John Wells, Sherman Payne, Damian Marcano, Shukree Tilghman and Erin Jontow are executive producers. Payne, who is also showrunner, wrote the first episode, which will be directed by Marcano.