One Power Book Show Gives Me A Huge Amount Of Confidence In The New Spinoff

Although the original Power aired its finale in 2020, I’m excited to return to the crime drama’s world from yet another angle in an upcoming Ghost and Tommy prequel — and another Power “Book” show reaffirms my optimistic outlook. Created and produced by Courtney A. Kemp, in collaboration with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Power landed on Starz back in 2014 and, ultimately, ran for six successful seasons. While Power‘s cast of characters expanded as the series continued, the show mainly focused on James St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), a ruthless dealer who goes by the alias Ghost.

Forced to navigate ever-shifting alliances and the police’s ongoing investigations, James also doesn’t have the strongest relationship with his wife, Tasha (Naturi Naughton), or his kids — Tariq, Raina, and Yasmine. However, Ghost has other compelling relationships outside his family. Even in the wake of Power‘s shocking ending in its series finale, I still think Tommy Egan (Joseph Sikora), Ghost’s criminal partner and best friend, is one of the show’s best characters. That fact alone makes me excited about a Ghost and Tommy spinoff, but it’s another Power show that has given me renewed faith in the franchise.

Power Book III: Raising Kanan Proves Prequels In The Power Universe Can Work

Power’s Spinoffs Have Been Hugely Successful

Power Book III: Raising Kanan

Power Book III: Raising Kanan is a prequel to the crime drama series and explores the life of Kanan before his entrance into the drug dealing world. As the young Kanan begins to make a name for himself, he discovers playing the game means stepping in the path of competitors and corrupt detectives who seek to destabilize the lives of his community. 

Cast

Patina Miller , London Brown , Malcolm Mays , Joey Bada$$ , Shanley Caswell , Hailey Kilgore , Toby Sanderman , Lovie Simone , Omar Epps , Mekai Curtis

Release Date

July 18, 2021

Seasons

3

Writers

Sascha Penn

Showrunner

Sascha Penn

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Watching all the Power and Power Book spinoffs is a tall order, but it’s a must for any fan of the franchise who’s looking for a complete view of the series’ characters. In particular, Power Book III: Raising Kanan — a prequel to the parent series and the second Power spinoff green-lit by Starz — is a must-watch crime drama. Instead of centering on Ghost and the St. Patrick family, Raising Kanan delves into the early years of Kanan Star (later played by EP Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson) as he tries to get into the drug-dealing game.

There’s a lot that works about Raising Kanan. For starters, the show is packed with powerhouse performances, and does a great job of conjuring its 1990s setting. The spinoff doesn’t just tell a good standalone story, it expands the Power universe and deepens its core characters. It’s no wonder that Raising Kanan season 4 is already on the way. In building its own world, Raising Kanan is able to stand on its own; being a spinoff or a prequel doesn’t define the show. For me, that’s a mark of greatness — and a wonderful sign for future Power spinoffs.

Related

I’m Worried About Power Book IV: Force’s Ending After New Spinoff Announcement

The Power franchise just announced a new spinoff, and with Book IV: Force coming to an end, I have one major concern about the show’s conclusion.

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Power’s Ghost & Tommy Prequel Could Be Even Better Than Raising Kanan

The Power Prequel Can Focus Fully On The Franchise’s Main Characters

Having survived the original show’s sixth-season finale, Tommy already stars in Power Book IV: Force, but the character is set to crop up in yet another franchise outing. Like Raising Kanan, the next Power spinoff will also be a prequel, though it will center on Ghost and Tommy, showing how the best friends met and got into the drug game. Not only is Ghost and Tommy’s relationship one of the Power franchise’s most compelling in my opinion, but Power Book V: Origins will fill in some of the last missing pages in James St. Patrick’s decade-long storyline.

Power

Power is a crime drama series created by Courtney A. Kemp and produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. The show follows James “Ghost” St. Patrick, a wealthy nightclub owner leading a double life as the kingpin of a lucrative drug network, managing family and business complications while attempting to go legitimate. Starring Omari Hardwick, the series explores themes of power, loyalty, betrayal, and redemption in New York City.

Cast

Omari Hardwick , Lela Loren , Naturi Naughton , Joseph Sikora , Shane Johnson , Rotimi , Michael Rainey Jr. , La La Anthony

Release Date

June 7, 2014

Seasons

6

Creator(s)

Courtney A. Kemp