Even though the final episode of the original “Power” series aired in February 2020, the Starz franchise continued long beyond that. Three spinoffs, “Power Book II: Ghost,” “Power Book III:
Raising Kanan,” and “Power Book IV: Force,” were eventually produced from the smash success created by Courtney A. Kemp. (An earlier version of the fourth, titled “Power Book V: Influence,” was canceled.) With the June 7 launch of “Power Book II: Ghost,” the fourth season of the franchise will now mark its tenth anniversary.
Are you curious about the requirements for being a member of the ensemble in a “Power” series? We offer all the information, from casting insights to audition tips, you need to make your own powerful move.
What is the plot of the “Power” franchise?
“Power,” which aired from 2014 to 2020, centers on James “Ghost” St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), the proprietor of one of New York City’s trendiest nightclubs, which doubles as a front for a top-tier drug trafficking ring. Even though Ghost is determined to leave the criminal life behind, he must take desperate measures to stay alive due to a failed marriage and shifting allegiances.
The 2020 release of Kemp’s “Power Book II: Ghost” follows Ghost’s son Tariq St. Patrick (Michael Rainey Jr.) as he starts his own drug enterprise. Tariq quickly becomes entangled with the perilous Tejada family, endangering both his personal safety and that of his loved ones.
Next up was Sascha Penn’s “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” (2021), a prequel that takes place in the early 1990s and follows a young Kanan Stark (Mekai Curtis), who was portrayed by 50 Cent in the original series of “Power,” as he advances through the drug world.
The focus of Robert Munic’s “Power Book IV: Force” (2022) is Tommy Egan (Joseph Sikora), a former business associate of Ghost, who moves from New York to Chicago and eventually becomes one of the largest drug lords in the Windy City.
Who makes up the “Power” franchise cast?
“Power”:
- James “Ghost,” played by Omari Hardwick, St. Patrick
- As Kanan Stark, 50 Cent
- Tasha St. Patrick, played by Naturi Naughton
- Tommy Egan, played by Joseph Sikora
- Like Angela Valdes, Lela Loren
- Cooper Saxe, played by Shane Johnson
- Rotimi acting as Dr.
- Tariq St. Patrick, played by Michael Rainey Jr.
- Joe Proctor, played by Jerry Ferrara
- As Lakeisha Grant, La La Anthony
- Councilman Larenz Tate Tate Rashad
- Julio played by J.R. Ramirez
- As the 2-Bit, Michael J. Ferguson
“Ghost” in “Power Book II”:
- Tariq St. Patrick, played by Michael Rainey Jr.
- Cooper Saxe, played by Shane Johnson
- Brayden Weston, played by Gianni Paolo
- Caridad Milgram, aka Melanie Liburd
- Dru Tejada, played by Lovell Adams-Gray
- Ezekiel “Zeke” Cross, played by Daniel Bellomy
- Jennifer Lawrence as Paige Hurd
- Cane Tejada, played by Woody McClain
- Davis Maclean, portrayed by Method Man
- Diana Tejada played by LaToya Tonodeo
- Blige, Mary J. as Monet Tejada
- Effie, played by Alix Lapri
- Jenny Sullivan, played by Paton Ashbrook
- LightSkinKeisha in the role of Bruno Carmichael
- Lorenzo Tejada, played by Berto Colon
The third Power Book, “Raising Kanan”:
- Mekai Curtis portraying Stan Stan
- Raquel Thomas, played by Patina Miller
- Marvin, played by London Brown
- Lou-Lou, played by Malcolm M. Mays
- Joey Bada$$ Is Special
- Burke played by Shanley Caswell
- Jukebox, played by Hailey Kilgore
- Symphony Bosket played by Toby Sandeman
- Davina Harrison played by Lovie Simone
- As Malcolm Howard, the detective, Omar Epps
- Shawn “Famous” Figueroa, played by Antonio Ortiz
“Force, Power Book IV”:
- Tommy Egan, played by Joseph Sikora
- Darnell “D-Mac” Lucien Cambric McDowell
- JP Gibbs, played by Anthony Fleming III
- Vic Flynn, played by Shane Harper
- Diamond, played by Isaac Keys
- Jenard Sampson played by Kris D. Lofton
- Lili Simmons portraying Flynn, Claudia “Claud”
- Walter Flynn played by Tommy Flanagan
- Paulie “Pierogi” Muzaski, played by Guy Van Swearingen
- Edgar Vargas, Special Agent Brian Keys
Who are the “Power” franchise casting directors?
The main cast member for “Power,” Christine Kromer (“Poker Face,” “True Detective”), cast “Power Book II: Ghost” with Billy Hopkins and Ashley Ingram (“The Wonder Years,” “P-Valley”).
“Power Book III: Raising Kanan” features a major CD by Rori Bergman (“The Americans,” “Run the World”), while “Power Book IV: Force” features an ensemble put together by Tamara-Lee Notcutt (“To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” “The Buccaneers”).
How is the “Power” franchise’s casting procedure conducted?
“Who can keep up with the cast that is coming together” is what Kromer claims to be looking for in performers. “An actor who owns the part, whether it’s one line or a series lead,” is what she told us she likes to see. I can see their skill and will keep them in mind for something else even if they aren’t the ideal fit, provided they make it their own and bring something new to the table.
“I believe that worrying about getting every job as an actor is overanalyzing it,” she went on. “Time is everything. People also become upset if they don’t get every part, although that’s not really feasible.
As an actor, all you can do is work extremely hard to develop a following of directors and actors you have collaborated with, as well as other performers, producers, and writers. Doing a decent job is far more essential than worrying about whether you understand it or not.
At their auditions, Kromer assures performers that they will have “a good time.” She remarked, “I really like actors to know that the time they spend in my room is theirs.” “If they have a moment, I’m happy to work on it a couple of times and to respond to inquiries.
“I really want people to know that coming in for me is going to be fun and warm, and I’m on their side,” she continued. “A lot of people get so nervous.” “I’ve heard horrible stories from many people about auditioning, which is something I would never, ever consider doing to someone. It’s incredibly difficult and stressful. All I want is for folks to enter a little apprehensive and leave content.
Actors need to be adaptable in the room, according to the CD. The biggest no-no, in my opinion, is closing yourself off to guidance. People have been rather defensive about the decisions they have made when I try to help them find employment. She stated, “Any guidance or criticism you’re receiving in the room is because we like you, not because you’ve done anything wrong.
“Being hours late with a weak excuse is another thing I’ve seen that is not acceptable,” she went on. “But I thought it was a suggested time,” was my favorite statement to come out of their three-hour lateness for an audition. Be more than just an actress; be a real person. Treat the appointment the same way you would any other: arrive on time, prepare your belongings, and enjoy yourself while you’re in the room.
Which “Power” spinoffs are in production right now?
The majority of Season 4 of “Raising Kanan,” which was picked up for a fifth season in March, was shot in early spring in New York City. That same month, “Force” was filming its third season in Chicago, according to Screen Magazine.
The next season of “Ghost” will be the final one, therefore production has stopped. Not to worry, though, because Starz approved a second spinoff in March that will examine the first stages of Ghost and Tommy’s relationship and is tentatively titled “Origins.”
Where are casting calls for “Power” available?
As of right now, none of the franchise’s shows have any audition announcements. “Force” was looking for background actors in Chicago in March. In addition to male and female talent, ages 21–45, the team was searching for background female talent, aged 21–35.
Since “Raising Kanan” has previously put audition announcements on The auditions, it’s a good idea to bookmark our main casting page in the interim to stay up to date on the latest openings. For additional guidance, read through our tutorial on how to attend a Starz audition.
What are the greatest ways to succeed in an audition to get a part in a “Power” series?
Establish links. According to Rainey Jr., “when it comes to making TV shows and movies, having a good relationship with everyone on set is so important, because if you have a great relationship with everyone, nothing can really go wrong.”
“50 [Cent] informed me that I would have a lot of moments with him because this was [around] Season 3, when Tariq and Kanan initially started hanging out in the show. So one day we were just talking it up in the trailer. He once said to me, “Never feel too entitled to something, because that’s when you deprive yourself.” That advice has always resonated with me.
Continue to appear. Kilgore, who portrays Jukebox on “Raising Kanan,” admitted to us during the audition process that she “still gets butterflies,” but she makes an effort to get past them. “First of all, you become accustomed to doing auditions after a while.
You’ll also recognize some faces, and their only goal is to get the part. Keep in mind that may be you. Showing up and being prepared is the most crucial thing you can do. When you get the chance, demonstrate to them what you’ll do with the part. I assure you that you won’t be as anxious.
“Actor to actor, this is the ideal location for you. I worry about my performance, I get nervous, and I’m really insecure,” she continued. It’s crucial to take good care of oneself and have love conversations with yourself. All you can do is do the task at hand. Many performers are insecure people who merely want to perform well. You have this; it’s all love; it’s natural.”
“It’s easy to get sucked into press releases or Instagram highlight reels, but that’s not important,” the woman went on. It all comes down to who you are, what you stand for, and your heart. Sometimes I have to remind myself of it. Barbra Streisand probably needs to remind herself of this as well.
Think about your character’s feelings. “Reacting is acting. In The auditions , Curtis wrote, “Acting is being.” “Once the character’s objective and driving force have been established, reaction plays a crucial role in determining the character’s emotional state. What is that character’s reaction to all that was previously discussed? Everything is dependent.
According to the late great Bill Duke, acting is becoming. That’s how I work; to ‘become’ is to change,” he said. “As I perform, I think about the objectives and past experiences of the character. I consider how I would react if I were to transform into this character and experience these intense feelings, and I see the events as though they were occurring to me.
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