STARZ' "POWER" Universe - celebrates 10 years!

June 10, 2024

Courtesy: STARZ

When "Power" first aired on STARZ on June 7, 2014, it became an instant pop culture phenomenon. Created and produced by Courtney A. Kemp and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, the show consistently received positive reviews and won the NAACP Image awards for Best Show and Best Actor for Omari Hardwick. It became the highest-rated and most-watched show on cable. The series ran for six seasons, with the final premiere airing on August 25, 2019.

That was not the end, but the beginning, as the franchise expanded with four additional spinoffs. These spinoffs delve into the backstories and continuation of the main characters. These include Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Power Book IV: Force, and Power: Origins (to be announced).

On June 6, 2024, in New York City, several key members of the franchise, including Joseph Sikora, Patina Miller, Michael Rainey Jr., Naturi Naughton, Method Man, Mary J. Blige, and Larenz Tate, attended the premiere of "Power Book II: Ghost" Season 4, while also celebrating the franchise's 10th anniversary.

The original "Power" starred Omari Hardwick as James "Ghost" St. Patrick, a wealthy New York nightclub owner who led a double life as a drug kingpin alongside his friend and business partner Tommy Egan, played by Joseph Sikora. The plot also revolves around James' wife, Tasha, portrayed by Naturi Naughton, and his eldest child, Tariq, portrayed by Michael Rainey Jr.

Things get complicated when he meets his high school sweetheart, Angela Valdez, played by Lela Loren, and resumes their former relationship. James must figure out how to manage his two lives, personal relationships, and ever-shifting alliances while attempting to leave the criminal world behind. The core cast of supporting characters includes Kanan Stark, played by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson; Andre Coleman, played by Rotimi Akinosho; Cooper Saxe, played by Shane Johnson; and Rashad Tate, played by Lorenz Tate.

Courtesy: STARZ

"Power Book II: Ghost" picks up after the shocking death of James "Ghost" St. Patrick. This series aired from 2020 to 2024, with a two-part season finale. The first part premiered on June 7, while the second part will premiere on September 6. It follows Tariq St. Patrick (played by Michael Rainey Jr) as he tries to protect his family while becoming involved with the criminal Tajeda family. Balancing his new life at Stansfield University, his drug dealings, school, and love life take center stage as he attempts to evade law enforcement and not follow in his father's footsteps.

The core supporting cast includes Gianni Paolo as Brayden Weston; Woody McClain as Cane Tejada; LaToya Tonodeo as Diana Tejada; Lovell Adams-Gray as Dru Tejada; Clifford "Method Man" Smith Jr. as Davis Maclean; Shane Johnson as Cooper Saxe; Paige Hurd as Lauren Baldwin; Mary J. Blige as Monet Tejada; and Larenz Tate as Rashad Tate.

Courtesy: STARZ

"Power Book III: Raising Kanan" is the second spinoff of "Power" and premiered on July 18, 2021. On March 27, 2024, the series was renewed for a fifth season. It tells the story of the early years and origins of Kanan Stark, first played by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson and now portrayed by Mekai Curtis. The show is set in the early 1990s in Queens, New York, and follows Kanan as he becomes involved in the criminal world through his mother, Raq, who is in charge of the family's drug empire. The series portrays the drug world during that era and is loosely based on Curtis Jackson's experiences growing up in New York.

Rounding out the core cast of characters are Patina Miller as Raquel "Raq" Thomas; London Brown as Marvin Thomas; Malcolm Mays as Louis "Lou-Lou"; Hailey Kilgore as LaVerne "Jukebox" Thomas; Omar Epps as Malcolm Howard; and Grantham Coleman as Ronnie Mathis.

Courtesy: STARZ

"Power Book IV: Force" premiered on February 6, 2022, and is the third "Power" series spinoff. In March 2022, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on September 1, 2023. In December 2023, the series was renewed for a third season.

The series follows Tommy Egan as he seeks a fresh start, leaving New York behind after the deaths of LaKeisha (his girlfriend) and James "Ghost" St. Patrick. Tommy's long-standing ambition to become the most powerful drug dealer leads him to Chicago, where he encounters old and new familial ties. He becomes involved with the Flynn organization, one of Chicago's most prominent drug families and the local supplier, while navigating and exploiting different factions of drug cartels. As he finds love again, he is caught in a significant drug feud. As the pressure mounts and familial challenges arise, Tommy must decide what is most important to him as he strives to achieve his dreams of prominence in Chicago.

Isaac Keys as David "Diamond" Sampson; Lili Simmons as Claudia "Claud" Flynn; Shane Harper as Victor "Vic" Flynn; Tommy Flanagan as Walter Flynn; Audrey Esparza as Liliana; and Patricia Kalember round out the main characters.

Power: Origins is the fourth spinoff, announced to be in development on March 13, 2024. The series will focus on Ghost and Tommy's early years and serve as a prequel to the original series.

As the spinoffs continue to gain momentum, the Power Universe shows no signs of slowing down. "As we approach the 10th anniversary of Power, it is incredible to witness the enormous connection our fans have with the 'Power' universe," Kathryn Busby, President of Programming for Starz, said in a statement. "We can't wait to see how Origins will further evolve this dynamic franchise while bringing fresh, gripping, and expansive storytelling to our audience."

There have been discussions about expanding the "Power" Universe in the U.K., which could create numerous spinoff opportunities. Expanding in London would also align with the recent launch of MGM+ in the U.K. which began on May 20. MGM+ has obtained the right to stream STARZ content and the Power Universe exclusively to customers in the U.K.

The Power Universe is currently streaming now exclusively on STARZ.