Power (TV series) explained

Image Alt:Official logo
Genre:Crime drama
Creator:Courtney A. Kemp
Open Theme:"Big Rich Town" by 50 Cent and Joe
Composer:Jeff Russo
Country:United States
Num Seasons:6
Num Episodes:63
List Episodes:List of Power episodes
Runtime:51–82 minutes
Channel:Starz

Power is an American crime drama-thriller television series created and produced by Courtney A. Kemp in collaboration with Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. It aired on the Starz network from June 7, 2014, to February 9, 2020.

Upon release, Power gained positive reviews and is one of Starz's highest-rated shows and one of cable's most-watched shows.[1] [2] Prior to the fifth-season premiere, Starz renewed the show for a sixth and final season, which premiered on August 25, 2019.[3] [4]

Overview

Power tells the story of James St. Patrick, an intelligent, smooth yet ruthless drug dealer who goes by the alias of "Ghost." He wishes to leave the criminal world to pursue legitimate business interests as a nightclub owner. St. Patrick aims to balance those two lives, while also avoiding police capture, trying to navigate his crumbling marriage and manage shifting economic alliances.

The show features James' family, which consists of his wife Tasha, twins Tariq and Raina and baby Yasmine. Power also follows James' criminal partner and best friend Tommy Egan, love interest and criminal prosecutor Angela Valdes, friend-turned-rival Kanan Stark, protege and rival Andre Coleman, and Angela's colleague, Cooper Saxe. Defense attorney Joe Proctor, district attorney John Mak and politician Rashad Tate also appear in the show's later seasons.

Power utilizes episodic cliff hangers as plot devices to carry its story forward.

Episodes

See main article: List of Power episodes.

Cast and characters

ActorCharacterSeasons
123456
Omari HardwickJames "Ghost" St. Patrickcolspan="6"
Lela Lorencolspan="1"
Naturi NaughtonTasha St. Patrickcolspan="6"
Joseph SikoraThomas "Tommy" Egancolspan="6"
Andy BeanGregory "Greg" Knoxcolspan="3"
Adam HussJoshua "Josh" Kantoscolspan="3"
Kathrine NarducciFrankie Lavarrocolspan="4"
Luis Antonio RamosCarlos Ruizcolspan="3"
Greg SeranoJuan Julio Medina
Sinqua WallsShawn Starkcolspan="4"
Lucy WaltersHolly Weavercolspan="3"
Shane JohnsonCooper Saxecolspan="5"
J. R. RamirezJulio Romanocolspan="2"
Rotimi AkinoshoAndre "Dre" Colemancolspan="5"
David FumeroMiguel "Mike" Sandovalcolspan="2"
Curtis "50 Cent" JacksonKanan Starkcolspan="1"
Michael Rainey Jr.Tariq St. Patrickcolspan="4"
Jerry FerraraJoseph "Joe" Proctorcolspan="4"
Callan MulveyDean/Milancolspan ="3"
Alani "La La" AnthonyLakeisha Grantcolspan="3"
Matt CedeñoDiego "Cristobal" Martinez
Sung KangJohn Mak
William SadlerAnthony "Tony" Teresi
Brandon Victor DixonDeleterious "Terry" Silver
Larenz TateRashad Tatecolspan="2"
Michael J. FergusonFrancis "2-Bit" Johnson
Mike DopudJason Micic
Monique Gabriela CurnenBlanca Rodriguez
Cynthia Addai-RobinsonRamona Garrity
Evan HandlerJacob Warner

Main

Recurring

Special guest appearances

Broadcast

In Australia, all episodes are available to stream after their US airing on Stan.[5] The show is available weekly after its US airing on Netflix in the United Kingdom and Ireland.[6] [7] [8] In Scandinavia and Finland, all episodes are available to stream on HBO Nordic.[9]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)Result
2015Women's Image Network Awards[10] Actress Drama SeriesNaturi Naughton
Outstanding Show Written by a WomanCourtney A. Kemp
201647th NAACP Image Awards[11] Outstanding Drama SeriesPower
Outstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesOmari Hardwick
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesNaturi Naughton
NAMIC Vision Awards[12] Best Performance – DramaNaturi Naughton
Best Performance – DramaOmari Hardwick
Women's Image Network Awards[13] Actress Drama SeriesNaturi Naughton
201748th NAACP Image Awards[14] Outstanding Drama SeriesPower
Outstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesOmari Hardwick
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesNaturi Naughton
Black Reel Awards for Television[15] Outstanding Drama SeriesPower
People's Choice Awards[16] Favorite Premium Drama SeriesPower
201849th NAACP Image Awards[17] Outstanding Drama SeriesPower
Outstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesOmari Hardwick
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesNaturi Naughton
Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited Series)Michael Rainey Jr.
Black Reel Awards for Television[18] Outstanding Actor, Drama SeriesOmari Hardwick
NAMIC Vision Awards[19] Best Performance – Drama50 Cent
Best Performance – DramaMichael Rainey Jr.
DramaPower
9th Hollywood Music in Media Awards[20] Outstanding Music Supervision – TelevisionJennifer Ross
201950th NAACP Image Awards[21] Outstanding Drama SeriesPower
34th Annual Imagen Awards[22] Best Actress - TelevisionLela Loren
202051st NAACP Image Awards[23] Outstanding Actor in a Drama SeriesOmari Hardwick

Reception

Critical response

Season 1

Season 1 of Power received mixed reviews from critics. Review aggregator Metacritic gives the season a score of 57 out of 100, based on 15 reviews, indicating a mixed reaction to the series.[24] Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the season a score of 44%, based on 18 reviews, with an average rating of 5.7/10. The site's consensus states, "Power suffers from excessive plotting and the use of overly familiar by-the-numbers story elements."[25]

Tim Goodman of The Hollywood Reporter observed in his review, "Power seemingly wants to be a show that tells a big, complicated, meaningful story about, well, the perils and problems of power and how one man deals with them."[26] Critic Brian Lowry of Variety states in his review, "The three previewed episodes of the show, created by The Good Wife alumna Courtney A. Kemp, move briskly enough, but they're still only moderately compelling. And while 50 Cent's participation provides some promotional heft (he has a cameo in a later episode), the allure of such behind-the-scenes marquee names is usually limited. Mostly, this is undemanding escapism with all the requisite pay-TV trappings, along the lines of what Cinemax is offering in episodic form. While that might be a formula to keep Ghost visible for some time to come, creatively speaking, it leaves Power a touch low on juice.[27]

Season 2

Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes gives the season a score of 100%, based on 9 reviews, with an average rating of 7.8/10.[28] Review aggregator Metacritic gives the season a score of 75 out of 100, based on 4 reviews, indicating a generally favorable reaction to the series.[29] The New York Daily News staff writes in their review, "Power hits on all cylinders as it returns for its second season. Throw a couple of great women into Ghost's life—his wife, Tasha (Naturi Naughton), and his recently resurfaced lifelong flame Angela (Lela Loren)—and you have drama that's hard not to keep watching."[30]

Season 3

Rotten Tomatoes gives the season a score of 78%, based on 9 reviews, with an average rating of 6.3/10.[31]

Season 4

Rotten Tomatoes gives the season a score of 83%, based on 6 reviews, with an average rating of 8/10.[32]

Season 5

Rotten Tomatoes gives the season a score of 100%, based on 6 reviews, with an average rating of 8.8/10.[33]

Spin-offs

With the conclusion of the original series, it was announced that Starz had planned four upcoming spin-offs in the same universe as Power. These begin with Power Book II: Ghost, which, following shortly after the events of the original series, focuses on Ghost's son Tariq navigating his new criminal life and intending to shed his father's legacy while dealing with mounting pressure to protect his family, including his mother Tasha. The series co-stars Mary J. Blige and Method Man.[34] The other spin-offs include: Power Book III: Raising Kanan, a prequel into the life of Kanan Stark (50 Cent); Power Book IV: Force, which follows Tommy Egan (Joseph Sikora) originally headed to Los Angeles, California and ending up in the city of Chicago; and Power Book V: Influence, a sequel set in the political world centering on Councilman Tate's (Larenz Tate) ruthless rise to power.[35] [36] The development of Power Book V: Influence was cancelled in August 2022 and the series would not be moving forward.[37] In March 2024, a prequel series, Origins, which will follow the beginning story of characters Ghost and Tommy, was confirmed to be in development.[38]

premiered on September 6, 2020,[39] and has aired three seasons. In January 2023, the series was renewed for a fourth and final season.[40]

premiered on July 18, 2021,[36] and has aired two seasons. In August 2022, the series was renewed for a third season, which premiered on December 1, 2023. In November 2023, ahead of the third season, the series was renewed for a fourth season.[41]

premiered on February 6, 2022, and has aired two seasons.[42] In December 2023, the series was renewed for a third and final season.[43]

Notes and References

  1. News: Andreeva. Nellie. Starz's 'Power' Renewed For Season 2. June 11, 2014. June 11, 2014. Deadline Hollywood. August 15, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140815234449/http://deadline.com/2014/06/power-renewed-for-second-season-starz-787378/. live.
  2. Web site: Shows A-Z – power on starz. The Futon Critic. April 8, 2015. August 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230817230038/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/showatch/power/listings/. live.
  3. Web site: 'Power' Renewed For Season 6 On Starz; Gets Season 5 Premiere Date . Petski . Denise . . March 13, 2018 . March 13, 2018 . March 13, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180313190723/http://deadline.com/2018/03/power-renewed-season-6-starz-season-5-premiere-date-1202336969/ . live .
  4. Web site: 'Power' To End With August Premiering Season 6 "Unpredictable" Spinoffs For Starz Drama Underway. Patten. Dominic. Deadline Hollywood. May 9, 2019. May 9, 2019. May 9, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190509180132/https://deadline.com/2019/05/power-ending-season-6-50-cent-spinoffs-planned-starz-1202610836/. live.
  5. Web site: Stan adding Power, Ash vs Evil Dead, Flesh & Bone. . TVTonight . David . Knox . June 15, 2015 . June 16, 2015 . June 18, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150618002012/http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2015/06/stan-adding-power-ash-vs-evil-dead-flesh-bone.html . live .
  6. Web site: T?Starz Offers New Original Drama 'Power' for Early Digital Purchase in U.K.. December 1, 2015. June 9, 2014. Georg. Szalai. The Hollywood Reporter. March 9, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160309185240/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/starz-power-uk-gets-early-710125. live.
  7. Web site: 50 Cent drug drama gets digital release. December 30, 2015. June 9, 2014. Peter. White. Broadcast Now. March 5, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305014405/http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/international/50-cent-drug-drama-gets-digital-release/5072895.article. live.
  8. Web site: Power. Netflix Media Center. June 30, 2016. September 14, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180914022654/https://media.netflix.com/en/only-on-netflix/73315. live.
  9. Web site: HBO Nordic. hbonordic.com. November 3, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20170802001127/https://www.hbonordic.com/series/power/a542e66f-30b1-40be-89bf-9afe38a96a2b. August 2, 2017. dead.
  10. Web site: Women's Image Network Awards 2015. IMDb. August 3, 2018. August 3, 2018. August 20, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210820173224/https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0002887/2015/1. live.
  11. Web site: 2016 Image Winners. Variety. February 6, 2016 . August 2, 2016. February 27, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160227131516/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/naacp-awards-winners-list-image-creed-queen-latifah-1201698809/. live.
  12. Web site: 22ND ANNUAL NAMIC VISION AWARDS NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED. August 3, 2018. August 3, 2018. May 19, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160519041004/http://namic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2016-NAMIC-Vision-Awards-Nominations-FINAL.pdf. live.
  13. Web site: Women's Image Network Awards 2016. . August 3, 2018. August 3, 2018. November 13, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201113191146/https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0002887/2016/1/. live.
  14. Beyonce leads the pack of 2017 NAACP Image Award Nominees. December 13, 2016. Kinane. Ruth. Entertainment Weekly. December 18, 2016. December 16, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161216120232/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/12/13/naacp-image-awards-nominees-2017. live.
  15. Web site: BLACK*ISH PACES THE BLACK REEL AWARDS FOR TELEVISION FIELD. August 3, 2018. August 3, 2018. August 12, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170812065140/http://blackreelawards.com/blackish-paces-the-black-reel-awards-for-telvision/. live.
  16. Web site: People's Choice Awards Nominations Are Here: Find Out How to Vote for Your Favorites. August 3, 2018. August 3, 2018. June 23, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180623033023/https://people.com/awards/peoples-choice-awards-nominations-full-list-movies-tv-music/. live.
  17. Web site: NAACP – Nominees Announced for 49th NAACP Image Awards. November 20, 2017. December 9, 2017. December 1, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171201031440/http://www.naacp.org/latest/nominees-announced-49th-naacp-image-awards/. live.
  18. Web site: VOTERS ARE "SWEET" ON QUEEN SUGAR. August 3, 2018. August 3, 2018. June 24, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180624023653/http://blackreelawards.com/historic-night-for-queen-sugar/. live.
  19. Web site: 2018 NAMIC Vision Awards Nominees. August 3, 2018. August 3, 2018. August 3, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180803104317/http://namic.com/visionawards/2018nominees/. live.
  20. Web site: 2018 HMMA Winners. September 22, 2019. September 23, 2019. November 21, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191121235456/https://www.hmmawards.com/hmma-winners/. live.
  21. Web site: NAACP – Nominees Announced for 50th NAACP Image Awards. September 22, 2019. September 23, 2019. December 6, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171206053924/http://www.naacpimageawards.net/nominees. live.
  22. Web site: Nominations Announced for the 34th Annual Imagen Awards. September 22, 2019. September 23, 2019. August 2, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200802032122/https://www.imagen.org/2019/07/01/nominations-announced-for-the-34th-annual-imagen-awards/. live.
  23. Web site: NAACP Image Awards Winners: Complete List. The Hollywood Reporter. February 22, 2020. October 10, 2021. February 23, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200223025246/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2020-naacp-image-award-winners-complete-list-updating-1276771. live.
  24. Web site: Power: Season 1. Metacritic. December 30, 2015. CBS Interactive (CBS Corporation). December 27, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151227080240/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/power. live.
  25. Web site: Power: Season 1. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. March 29, 2019. April 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190425172517/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/power/s01. live.
  26. News: 'Power': TV Review. December 30, 2015. June 6, 2014. Tim. Goodman. The Hollywood Reporter. March 20, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160320124529/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/power-tv-review-709874. live.
  27. News: TV Review: 'Power'. December 30, 2015. June 4, 2014. Brian. Lowry. Variety. December 19, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151219183210/http://variety.com/2014/tv/reviews/tv-review-power-1201207398/. live.
  28. Web site: Power: Season 2. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. March 29, 2019. April 25, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190425172520/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/power/s02. live.
  29. Web site: Power: Season 2. Metacritic. December 30, 2015. CBS Interactive (CBS Corporation). December 27, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151227111941/http://www.metacritic.com/tv/power/season-2. live.
  30. News: 'Power' review: Omari Hardwick's drug-lord drama is right up there with 'Empire'. December 30, 2015. June 5, 2015. Daily News. New York. February 2, 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160202042817/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/power-review-drug-lord-drama-match-empire-article-1.2247287. live.
  31. Web site: Power: Season 3. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. March 29, 2019. April 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190412000648/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/power/s03/. live.
  32. Web site: Power: Season 4. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. March 29, 2019. April 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190412000646/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/power/s04/. live.
  33. Web site: Power: Season 5. Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. March 29, 2019. April 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190412000644/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/power/s05/. live.
  34. Web site: See Mary J. Blige as an iron-fisted businesswoman in 'Power Book II: Ghost' first look. EW.com. October 20, 2020. October 17, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201017212133/https://ew.com/tv/2020/01/22/mary-j-blige-power-book-2-ghost/. live.
  35. Web site: 'Power' reveals four spin-offs in series finale teaser. EW.com. October 20, 2020. October 22, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201022174950/https://ew.com/tv/2020/02/09/power-spinoffs-teaser/. live.
  36. Web site: Starz Greenlights "Power Book IV: Force" Starring Joseph Sikora as the Third New Series Within the "Power" Universe. The Futon Critic. August 31, 2020. September 1, 2020. November 13, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201113171836/http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2020/08/31/starz-greenlights-power-book-iv-force-starring-joseph-sikora-as-the-third-new-series-within-the-power-universe-195405/20200831starz01/. live.
  37. Web site: Power Spinoff Influence, Centered on Councilman Tate, Not Moving Forward . TVLine . Ryan . Schwartz . August 11, 2022 . August 26, 2022 . August 26, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220826031439/https://tvline.com/2022/08/11/power-spinoff-cancelled-influence-councilman-tate-starz/ . live .
  38. Web site: Schneider . Michael . 2024-03-13 . Starz Orders Fourth ‘Power’ Spinoff ‘Origins,’ About the Beginnings of Ghost and Tommy . 2024-03-14 . Variety . en-US.
  39. Web site: Iannucci. Rebecca. Power: Starz Unveils Premiere Date, New Trailer for Book II: Ghost Spinoff. TVLine. 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.
  40. Web site: Otterson . Joe . 2023-01-30 . ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ Renewed for Season 4 at Starz, Michael Ealy Joins Cast . 2023-12-01 . Variety . en-US.
  41. Web site: Petski . Denise . 2023-11-28 . ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ Lands Early Season 4 Renewal At Starz . 2023-12-01 . Deadline . en-US.
  42. Web site: Petski . Denise . Power Book IV: Force: Starz Sets Premiere Date, Releases Teaser Trailer . Deadline . November 11, 2021 . November 28, 2021 . November 28, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211128174549/https://deadline.com/2021/11/power-book-iv-force-starz-premiere-date-teaser-trailer-1234872131/ . live .
  43. Web site: Cordero . Rosy . December 15, 2023 . Power Book IV: Force' Renewed For Season 3 . Deadline Hollywood.