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In an exclusive Blavity feature, the cast of the hit series Power Book II: Ghost sat down to discuss the show’s legacy and the bonds they’ve formed during the series.
In 2014, a new show premiered on the Starz network, becoming a fan favorite and changing the landscape of television in the process. That show was Power. Ten years later, its spinoff Power Book II: Ghost has attained the same levels of fan loyalty as its final season is set to begin. The cast members of Power Book II: Ghost sat down for a cover profile story with Blavity and Shadow and Act, and spoke about the journey of the show and how they’ve grown closer as a cast.
Michael Rainey Jr., who plays Tariq St. Patrick, revealed that he had some misgivings about the spinoff before it was officially announced. “When they first told us what it was going to be, [or] when they first told me at least, I was like, ‘No, what are you all thinking? This is not going to work.’” He would expound on his initial thoughts: “I’m not saying that because I didn’t trust Courtney and her writing and stuff. I just know the fans really stand on business, and they was not liking Tariq. So I’m like, ‘I don’t know how it’s going to work.’ But it worked.” It also was bolstered by Gianni Paolo, who plays Brayden Weston, and Alix Lapri, who plays Josefina “Effie” Morales as original Power actors being part of the Book II cast.
The addition of superstar Mary J. Blige to play Monet Tejada, along with The New Edition Story star Woody McClain and LaToya Tonodeo and Lovell Adams-Gray as Lorenzo “Cane” Tejada Jr., Diana Tejada and Dru Tejada respectively filled out the show’s universe and added more depth to the show. The cast also spoke about their closeness on and off set. “Just literally coming to work and looking forward to working with people that I’m super close with, super cool with, and just super comfortable with,” Rainey said. “That, within itself, just makes work so much easier and so much more comfortable.” The legacy is also something they spoke about distinctly and feel proud about as actors of color. “We make changes. We make things happen. So I hope that it continues to influence those that need to be influenced,” Tonodeo stated.
Read the full story right here.
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Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson is mostly known these days for his work as a leading power player in the entertainment industry, but he hasn’t lost his sharp sense of humor. After a judge dismissed a lawsuit brought against him by a former drug lord alleging that his story was lifted, 50 Cent taunted the man in his typical sarcastic fashion.
As exclusively reported by AllHipHop, Cory “Ghost” Holland launched a lawsuit back in 2021 against 50 Cent, Courtney Kemp, Starz, and Lionsgate for allegedly stealing his life story for the Power series.
Holland asserted in his lawsuit that the character of Ghost on Power modeled his own life, and retold his time on the street on a 2007 musical release. Holland claims he sent a CD of the album, titled Blasphemy, to the father of Kemp in order to find his way out of the drug game. Holland accused 50 Cent and the show’s co-creators of stealing his life story for the show.
New York District Judge Hon. Analisa Torres dismissed Holland’s claims within the three-count lawsuit. Judge Torres ruled in the first matter that the character of Ghost in the Power series never directly referenced Holland so the defamation claim was tossed.
In a second lawsuit, Holland claimed that 50 Cent sent people to harass and threaten him while showing up in his neighborhood. On the third matter, Holland said that people connected to 50 played a song that suggested a threat near his home.
Holland left behind a paper trail towards 50 and his camp, clearly illustrated in a letter obtained by AllHipHop with Holland explicitly stating there would be violent consequences.
50 Cent, never one to let a moment pass, took to Instagram and shared an image of a report regarding the tossed lawsuit and wrote in the caption, “Fool thought he was GHOST [laughing emoji] da fvck wrong wit these [Ninja emoji]’s man LOL @bransoncognac @lecheminduroi.”
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Photo: Getty
This article was written in partnership with Power. If you haven’t heard of Power, you will learn about his work spanning various creative mediums like music, film, art, and more. Power is one of the latest artists aiming to take stardom beyond their home-run viral moment. Power is building an inclusive community of like-minded individuals […]
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A new season of Power Book II: Ghost is now streaming online. Season 3 of the hit series, starring Michael Rainey Jr., premiered on Starz on Friday (March 17).
The Power spinoff follows Tariq St. Patrick (Rainey Jr.) as he navigates life while trying to escape his father’s haunting legacy. According to Starz, the third season kicks off with Tariq being “determined to get out of the game for good” until a “new connect interrupts his plans.”
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Cliff “Method Man” Smith, Mary J. Blige, Gianni Paolo, Larenz Tate, Shane Johnson, Woody McClain and Lovell Adams-Gray among the returning cast.
The crime drama, created by Courtney Kemp and executive produced by 50 Cent, first premiered in 2020. Season 2 arrived on the following year.
Read on for ways to watch and stream the third season of Power Book II: Ghost.
Where to Watch ‘Power Book 2: Ghost’ Season 3 Online
Season 3 of Power Book II: Ghost is streaming exclusively on Starz and can be accessed directly through the app or by logging onto Starz.com. New episodes drop on Fridays at midnight on the Starz app.
Want to stream the season premiere without cable? Starz is offering a limited promo that lets you join the service for just $3 for the first three months ($8.99/month after the deal ends).
Starz
$3 for 3 months $8.99/month -267% off% OFF
The Starz app is compatible with Android, iOs and Chromecast, which means that you can stream from your TV, smartphone, computer and other streaming devices (use ExpressVPN to watch Starz internationally).
For those who have Starz through cable, satellite, or another TV provider, the season premiere of Power Book II: Ghost will air on Starz on Friday at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Starz is also available on Hulu, Sling TV and DirectTV Stream.
Amazon Prime members can stream Power Book II: Ghost and other Starz programs on Prime Video for free for the first week.
Power Book II: Ghost Season 3 on Prime Video
$8.99/month after 7-day free trial
Starz is home to Power Book II: Ghost and the entire Power franchise including Power Book III: Raising Kanan and Power Book IV: Force and other Starz exclusives like BMF, P-Valley, Party Down, Run the World, Blindspotting, Outlander, Gaslit, Shinning Vale and Heels.
Besides hits shows, Starz has a nice selection of hit movies including Bad Boys for Life, Jumanji: The Next Level, Spiderman: No Way Home and Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
Watch the trailer for Power Book II: Ghost Season 3 below.
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