Power Book II: Ghost explained
Power Book II: Ghost, or simply Ghost is an American crime drama television series created by Courtney A. Kemp that premiered on September 6, 2020 on Starz. The series is both a direct sequel and spin-off to Power.
In December 2021, the series was renewed for a third season which premiered on March 17, 2023. In January 2023, ahead of the third season premiere, the series was renewed for a fourth season. On March 14, 2024, it was announced that the fourth season will be the series' final season and is split into two parts; part one premiered on June 7, and part two is set to premiere on September 6.
Premise
Ghost follows Tariq navigating his new life, in which his desire to shed his father's legacy comes up against the mounting pressure to save his family. Along the way, Tariq gets entangled in the affairs of the cutthroat Tejada family, adding further complications as he tries to balance his drug operations with his education, love life, family affairs, scrutiny from local and federal law enforcement.
Cast and characters
Main
- Michael Rainey Jr. as Tariq St. Patrick, the son of James "Ghost" St. Patrick and Tasha Green-St. Patrick, who is slowly following in his father's footsteps as a drug dealer.
- Shane Johnson as Cooper Saxe, the attorney protecting Tariq, despite failed attempts to catch Ghost, Tasha, Tommy and Tariq. (seasons 1–3)
- Gianni Paolo as Brayden Weston, Tariq's best friend and business partner from Choate, as well as a former roommate at Stansfield. He now works at Weston Holdings, his family's hedge fund on Wall Street.
- Melanie Liburd as Caridad "Carrie" Milgram, one of Tariq's professors who had a secret relationship with Zeke. (seasons 1–2)
- Lovell Adams-Gray as Dru Tejada, the artistic middle child of Monet and Lorenzo, and brother of Cane and Diana who is gay.
- Daniel Bellomy as Ezekiel "Zeke" Cross, Tariq’s tutee who was the star basketball player at Stansfield, Monet's hidden son with Mecca and Carrie's love interest. (seasons 1–2; guest season 4)
- Quincy Tyler Bernstine as Tameika Washington, an attorney formerly affiliated with Saxe (season 1; guest seasons 2–3)
- Paige Hurd as Lauren Baldwin, Tariq's former classmate and ex-girlfriend who is currently in hiding after a failed murder attempt on her (seasons 1–3).
- Woody McClain as Lorenzo "Cane" Tejada Jr., the ruthless eldest child of Monet and Lorenzo, brother of Dru and Diana, Tariq’s main rival and Effie's lover.
- Justin Marcel McManus as Jabari Reynolds, Carrie's ex-boyfriend and Tariq's professor. (season 1; guest season 2)
- Method Man as Davis MacLean, Tasha, Tariq and the Tejadas' lawyer, who looks to win at all costs.
- LaToya Tonodeo as Diana Tejada, the youngest child of Monet and Lorenzo and sister of Dru and Cane, who is also in the drug business, a fellow student at Stanfield and Tariq's love interest and later, mother of his child.
- Mary J. Blige as Monet Stewart Tejada, queenpin and second-in-command of the Tejada drug cartel, mother of Cane, Dru, Diana, and Zeke.
- Naturi Naughton as Tasha St. Patrick, Tariq's mother and James "Ghost" St Patrick's widow. (season 1; guest; seasons 2–4)
- Daniel Sunjata as Dante "Mecca" Spears, Cane's business associate, a former associate of Felipe Lobos, Monet's old flame and the father of Zeke. (season 2; guest season 4)
- Paton Ashbrook as Jenny Sullivan, an attorney working on the Jabari Reynolds case who is sleeping with Saxe. (seasons 2–3; guest season 1)
- Berto Colon as Lorenzo Tejada Sr., Monet's husband, the leader of the Tejada operation and father to Cane, Dru and Diana. (season 2; recurring seasons 1 & 3; guest season 4)
- Alix Lapri as Effie Morales, Tariq's drug dealer ex-girlfriend at Choate and business partner, and later, Cane's love interest (season 2–present; recurring season 1)
- Larenz Tate as Councilman Rashad Tate, Ghost's former political rival and later an ethics professor at Stansfield. (seasons 2–3;[1] recurring season 1;4)
- Keesha Sharp as Professor Harper Benett, Tariq's American Psyche professor, and also Councilman Tate fiancée (season 3)
- David Walton as Lucas Weston, Brayden's uncle and the CEO of Weston Holdings (season 3)
- Monique Curnen as NYPD Sergeant Blanca Rodriguez, an NYPD Sergeant who investigated Ghost and Tariq in the past (season 3; recurring season 1, guest seasons 2 and 4)
- Moriah Brown as Keke Travis, an employee at Weston Holdings, and Brayden's colleague and love interest (season 3)
- Michael Ealy as Detective Don Carter, a determined and vindictive NYPD detective who begins investigating Tariq's case at Paz's behest (season 4)
- Caroline Chikezie as Noma Asaju, a terrifying drug lord Mecca's boss and Cane and Mclean's lover. (season 4; recurring season 3)
Recurring
- Kathleen Garrett as Judge Nina Larkin, the judge presiding over Tasha St. Patrick's case (season 1)
- LightSkinKeisha as BruShandria Carmichael, Tariq's classmate at Stansfield.
- Zoe Whitford as Ashley Fitzpatrick, Tariq's privileged classmate at Stansfield.
- Debbi Morgan as Estelle Green, Tasha's mother and Tariq and Yas' grandmother (guest season 1; seasons 2–3)
- Paris Morgan as Yasmine St. Patrick, Tariq's little sister and Ghost and Tasha's daughter (season 1, guest seasons 2–3)
- Victor Garber as Simon Stern, Ghost's former business partner (seasons 1–2)
- Bruce Altman as Oliver Simmons, Tariq's philosophy professor (seasons 1 & 4)
- Mark Feuerstein as Steven Ott, the representative of the political party Ghost was part of (seasons 1–2, guest season 3)
- Sung Kang as John Mak, an attorney formerly involved in the Lobos-Ghost investigation (season 1)
- Sherri Saum as Paula Matarazzo, top investigator and right hand of Davis (season 1; guest season 2)
- Shalim Ortiz as Danilo Ramirez, an NYPD officer stationed in the Tejadas' backyard of Queens, NY, and Monet's ex-boyfriend before Cane killed him (season 1)
- Brandi Denise Boyd as Epiphany Turner, a stripper single mom, who worked together with Tasha (season 1)
- Cory Jeacoma as Trace Weston, Brayden's entitled brother
- Samantha Blaire Cutler as Becca Weston, sister to Brayden and Trace, daughter of Robert and Nicole
- Marcus Anderson Jr. as Lil' Guap, the Tejada's former partner, before Tariq, who frequently worked with Cane before being killed by Dru (seasons 1–2)
- Brittani Tucker as Chelle, Rel's ex-girlfriend who ends up being Cane’s short-lived fling (seasons 1–2)
- Andrea Lee Christensen as Riley Saxe-Merchant, Cooper's niece and Brayden's new love interest (season 1)
- Bradley Gibson as Everett Neal, a member of Zeke's basketball team and Dru's new love interest (seasons 1–3)
- Geoffrey Owens, as Daniel Warren, a lawyer Ghost trusted with the handling of his will and assets (seasons 1–2)
- Michael J. Ferguson as Francis "2-Bit" Johnson, a convicted felon formerly associated with Andre Coleman and Tommy Egan (seasons 1 & 4; guest season 3)
- Jimmie Saito as Chef Eric Kamura, Mecca's right-hand man and chef (season 2)
- Jeff Hephner as Kevin Whitman, the lead detective investigating Jabari's murder until he was killed by Monet. (seasons 2–3)
- Lahmard Tate as Kamaal Tate, Rashad's brother who is a police officer (seasons 2 & 4)
- Frank Whaley as Judge Kenneth Lucas, the judge presiding over Tariq's case (season 2)
- Zephani Idoko as Stephanie, Davis MacLean's Stylist (season 2)
- Petey McGee as Salim Ashe Freeman, professor Benett's assistant and Diana’s new love interest (season 3; guest season 4)
- Gbenga Akinnagbe as Ron Samuel Jenkins aka RSJ, one of the richest and most powerful men in the world, who is being pursued by Weston Holdings for a partnership (season 3)
- Kyle Vincent Terry as Obi Okeke, Noma's right-hand man (seasons 3–4)
- Erik Hernandez as Gordo Castillo, Frank and Evelyn's son and Dru's new love interest (season 3)
- Kevin Tyler Rodriguez as Angel 'Junior' Young, a young DEA agent and Paz Valdes' son (season 3, guest season 4)
- Golden Brooks as Janet Stewart, Monet's cousin (season 4)
- Alison Luff as Felicia Lewis, a detective who works closely with Carter (season 4)
- Sydney Winbush as Anya Convington, Noma's daughter and Tariq's new love interest (season 4)
- Stephanie Suganami Shepard as Perla Tanaka, an attorney in Davis's team and his close confidante (season 4)
- Talia Robinson as Elle, a college student and band singer, who becomes Brayden's new love interest (season 4)
- Mattea Conforti as Elisa Marie Proctor, Joe and Lindsay's daughter (season 4)
Guest stars
- David Zayas as Uncle Frank Castillo, a Tejada family friend who tried to set them up (season 1)
- Glynn Turman as Gabriel, uncle to Ghost (season 1)
- Elizabeth Rodriguez as Paz Valdes, Angela Valdes' sister (seasons 1, 3 & 4)
- Jeff Auer as Robert Weston, the patriarch of the Weston family
- Angel Reda as Nicole Weston, wife to Robert and mother to Brayden, Trace and Becca
- Donshea Hopkins as Raina St. Patrick, Tariq's twin sister (seasons 1-2)
- Luenell Campbell as Ms. Richards, Spanky's mother (season 1)
- Jackie Long as Rico Barnes, the man who provides the drugs for the Tejadas to distribute (season 1)
- Laz Alonso as Samuel Santana, a detective investigating the death of the GTG assassin on the faculty grounds (season 1)
- Joseph Sikora as Tommy Egan, Ghost's best friend, Tariq's godfather and surrogate uncle and Cash's surrogate father (seasons 1 and 3)
- Denim Roberson as Cash Grant, LaKeisha Grant's son (season 1)
- Redman (season 2) and Jordan Mahome (season 3) as Theo Rollins, Davis' older brother who is in prison
- 50 Cent as Kanan Stark, Ghost's old friend and Tariq's mentor of sort, whom he got killed and has nightmares of (season 2)
- Alani "La La" Anthony as LaKeisha Grant, Tommy's ex and Tasha's former best friend, who was murdered by her in order to protect Tariq (season 2)
- Marcus Callender as Raymond "Ray Ray" Walker, the corrupt cop who murdered Raina St. Patrick and became Tariq's first victim (season 2)
- Jerry Ferrara as Joseph Proctor, Ghost and Tommy's former lawyer who was murdered by the latter, after Tariq allowed him access to his penthouse (season 2)
- Lauren Vélez as Evelyn Castillo, Frank's wife, who shows up after her husband has gone missing (guest seasons 2–3)
- Emeka Okafor as himself and a basketball trainer for Zeke (season 2)
- Patricia Kalember as Kate Egan, Tommy's mother (season 3)
- Moise Amadou as Kene Okeke, Obi's litte brother (season 4)
- Wesley Han as Pinky, a private investigator who works with Tariq (guest season 3;season 4)
- Pha'rez Lass as Marcus "Zion" Washington, a high-level distributor and one of Davis' clients in the past (season 4)
- Jequrey Slaton as Roman Price, a low-lever drug dealer working for Zion and Tariq's competitor (season 4)
- Terry Serpico as Wiley Adams, a criminal broker for a senator and acquaintance of Maclean's (season 4)
- Johnath Davis as Kevin Grant, Adams' aide and bodyguard (season 4)
Episodes
Season 4 (2024)
Production
Development
On July 26, 2019, Starz announced the straight-to-series order with the news that Mary J. Blige would star.[2] On February 9, 2020, Starz announced the premise of the series.[3] On September 22, 2020, Starz renewed the series for a second season.[4] On December 7, 2021, Starz renewed the series for a third season with Brett Mahoney taking over as the showrunner.[5] On January 30, 2023, ahead of the third season premiere, Starz renewed the series for a fourth season.[6] On March 14, 2024, it was announced that the fourth season will be the series final season and will have two parts.[7]
Casting
Mary J. Blige was cast on July 26, 2019, with the initial news. On January 14, 2020, Method Man was cast in a main role.[8] The remainder of the main cast was entirely announced on February 9, 2020.[9] On July 21, 2020, Sherri Saum was cast for the series.[10] Two days later, Shalim Ortiz was cast in a recurring role.[11] On February 24, Daniel Sunjata was cast as a new series regular for the second season.[12] On April 27, 2021, Redman joined the cast in a guest starring role for the second season.[13] On June 21, 2021, Paton Ashbrook, Berto Colon, and Alix Lapri were promoted to series regulars while Lahmard Tate joined the cast in a recurring role, reprising his role as Kamaal Tate from the sixth season of Power.[14] On October 1, 2021, Frank Whaley joined the cast in a recurring role for the second season.[15] In January 2022, Keesha Sharp, David Walton, Monique Curnen, and Moriah Brown were cast as series regulars while Petey McGee joined the cast in a recurring role for the third season.[16] [17] [18] In March 2022, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Kyle Vincent Terry, and Caroline Chikezie were cast in recurring roles.[19] Upon the fourth season renewal announcement, Michael Ealy joined the cast as a new series regular.[6]
Release
The series' official trailer was released on August 4, 2020.[20] The series premiered on September 6, 2020 on Starz.[21] The second season premiered on November 21, 2021.[22] The third season premiered on March 17, 2023.[23] The fourth season will air in two parts; part one premiered on June 7, 2024, and part two will premiere on September 6, 2024.[7]
Reception
Accolades
Notes and References
- Web site: 'Power Book II: Ghost': Larenz Tate Upped To Series Regular For Season 2. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. October 6, 2021. October 6, 2021. October 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211006144930/https://deadline.com/2021/10/power-book-ii-ghost-larenz-tate-promoted-series-regular-for-season-2-1234850721/. live.
- Web site: Mary J. Blige to Star in Power Spinoff. TVLine. Dave. Nemetz. July 26, 2019. June 30, 2020. July 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200701012534/https://tvline.com/2019/07/26/mary-j-blige-power-spinoff-book-ii-ghost-starz/. live.
- Web site: 'Power': Three More Spinoff Series Set at Starz. The Hollywood Reporter. Lesley. Goldberg. February 9, 2020. June 30, 2020. May 28, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200528071153/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/power-three-more-spinoff-series-set-at-starz-1277784. live.
- Web site: 'Power Book II: Ghost' Renewed For Season 2 By Starz. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. September 22, 2020. September 22, 2020. September 22, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200922151816/https://deadline.com/2020/09/power-book-ii-renewed-season-2-starz-1234581871/. live.
- Web site: 'Power Book II: Ghost' Renewed For Season 3 At Starz; Brett Mahoney Takes Over As Showrunner. Deadline Hollywood. Peter. White. December 7, 2021. December 7, 2021. December 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211207193332/https://deadline.com/2021/12/power-book-ii-ghost-renewed-starz-season-3-1234886534/. live.
- Web site: 'Power Book II: Ghost' Renewed for Season 4 at Starz, Michael Ealy Joins Cast. Variety. Joe. Otterson. January 30, 2023. January 30, 2023. January 30, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230130170032/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/power-book-ii-ghost-renewed-season-4-starz-michael-ealy-cast-1235506475/. live.
- Web site: Cordero . Rosy . 2024-03-14 . ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ To End With Season 4 . 2024-03-14 . Deadline Hollywood . en-US.
- Web site: 'Power' Adds Method Man To Mary J. Blige-Led Spinoff Of Starz Drama – TCA. Deadline Hollywood. Dominic. Patten. January 14, 2020. June 30, 2020. July 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200715142259/https://deadline.com/2020/01/power-method-man-cast-mary-j-blige-spinoff-starz-courtney-kemp-1202829486/. live.
- Web site: STARZ ANNOUNCES "POWER BOOK II: GHOST" CAST FOLLOWING HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED FINALE OF "POWER". STARZ Media Room. February 9, 2020. June 30, 2020. July 3, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200703131340/https://mediaroom.starz.com/news/starz-announces-power-book-ii-ghost-cast-following-highly-anticipated-finale-of-power. live.
- Web site: 'Power Book II: Ghost' Adds 'Locke & Key's Sherri Saum To Spinoff Cast. Dominic. Patten. Deadline Hollywood. July 21, 2020. July 21, 2020. July 21, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200721224232/https://deadline.com/2020/07/power-sequel-sherri-saum-cast-courtney-kemp-starz-the-fosters-1202991023/. live.
- Web site: 'Power Book II: Ghost': Shalim Ortiz To Recur In Starz/Lionsgate Spinoff. Denise. Petski. Deadline Hollywood. July 23, 2020. July 23, 2020. July 24, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200724002557/https://deadline.com/2020/07/power-book-ii-ghost-shalim-ortiz-recur-starz-lionsgate-spinoff-1202993821/. live.
- Web site: 'Power Book II: Ghost': Daniel Sunjata Joins Starz Series For Season 2. February 24, 2021. Nellie. Andreeva. Deadline Hollywood. February 24, 2021. February 25, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210225021644/https://deadline.com/2021/02/power-book-ii-ghost-daniel-sunjata-series-regular-season-2-starz-1234699616/. live.
- Method Man and Redman to reunite on Power Book II: Ghost — this time as brothers. Entertainment Weekly. Derek. Lawrence. April 27, 2021. April 27, 2021. April 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210427143507/https://ew.com/tv/power-book-ghost-redman-casting-exclusive/. live.
- Web site: 'Power Book II: Ghost' Ups Paton Ashbrook, Berto Colon & Alix Lapri To Series Regulars; Lahmard Tate To Reprise 'Power' Role As Recurring. Deadline Hollywood. Nellie. Andreeva. June 21, 2021. June 21, 2021. June 21, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210621155830/https://deadline.com/2021/06/power-book-ii-ghost-paton-ashbrook-berto-colon-alix-lapri-promoted-series-regulars-lahmard-tate-kamaal-recurring-1234778513/. live.
- Web site: 'Power Book II: Ghost':Frank Whaley Joins Season 2 Of Starz Series. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. October 1, 2021. October 1, 2021. October 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211001210449/https://deadline.com/2021/10/power-book-ii-ghost-frank-whaley-season-2-starz-series-1234848188/. live.
- Web site: 'Power Book II: Ghost': Keesha Sharp To Co-Star In Starz Series. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. January 3, 2022. January 3, 2022. January 4, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220104003556/https://deadline.com/2022/01/power-book-ii-ghost-keesha-sharp-starz-series-regular-1234903957/. live.
- Web site: 'Power Book II: Ghost': David Walton, Monique Curnen & Moriah Brown Join Starz's Spinoff As Series Regulars. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. January 13, 2022. January 13, 2022. October 31, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221031200957/https://deadline.com/2022/01/power-book-ii-ghost-david-walton-monique-curnen-moriah-brown-starz-spinoff-series-regulars-1234912085/. live.
- Web site: Tamberla Perry Joins 'All American: Homecoming'; Power Book II: Ghost' Casts Petey McGee. Deadline Hollywood. Petski. Denise. January 28, 2022. January 28, 2022. February 6, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220206224449/https://deadline.com/2022/01/tamberla-perry-all-american-homecoming-power-book-ii-ghost-petey-mcgee-1234921547/. live.
- Web site: 'Power Book II: Ghost': Gbenga Akinnagbe, Kyle Vincent Terry & Caroline Chikezie Join Starz Series As Recurring. Deadline Hollywood. Denise. Petski. March 14, 2022. March 14, 2022. March 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220314171347/https://deadline.com/2022/03/power-book-ii-ghost-gbenga-akinnagbe-kyle-vincent-terry-caroline-chikezie-join-starz-series-as-recurring-1234978103/. live.
- Web site: Shafer . Elise . TV News Roundup: 'Power Book II: Ghost' Sets Premiere Date, Starz Drops First Trailer (Watch) . . August 11, 2020 . August 4, 2020 . August 17, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230817225538/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/power-book-2-ghost-premiere-date-starz-trailer-1234725205/ . live .
- Web site: Power: Starz Unveils Premiere Date, New Trailer for Book II: Ghost Spinoff. TVLine. Rebecca. Iannucci. August 4, 2020. August 4, 2020. August 4, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200804145757/https://tvline.com/2020/08/04/power-spinoff-premiere-date-book-ii-ghost-starz/. live.
- Web site: Mitovich . Matt Webb . Power Book II: Ghost Sets Season 2 Premiere Date — Watch Teaser . . September 15, 2021 . September 15, 2021 . September 15, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210915180602/https://tvline.com/2021/09/15/power-book-ii-ghost-sets-season-2-premiere-date-watch-teaser/ . live .
- Web site: 'Power Book II: Ghost': Starz Reveals Season 3 Return Date. Deadline Hollywood. Lynette. Rice. December 15, 2022. December 15, 2022. December 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221215180332/https://deadline.com/2022/12/power-book-ii-ghost-starz-reveals-season-3-return-date-1235200159/. live.
- Web site: Del Rosario . Alexandra . February 2, 2021 . NAACP Image Awards Nominations: Netflix Tops List With 'Bridgerton', 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' & 'Da 5 Bloods' . February 3, 2021 . Deadline . en-US . March 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210326223146/https://deadline.com/2021/02/naacp-image-awards-nominations-2021-1234685220/ . live .
- Web site: Zhan . Jennifer . February 26, 2022 . NAACP Image Awards Winners Include Jazmine Sullivan, Will Smith, Red Table Talk . February 27, 2022 . . en-us . April 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220427104654/https://www.vulture.com/2022/02/naacp-image-awards-2022-winners-full-list.html . live .
