‘Power’ Spinoff Series ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ to Feature Mary J. Blige

Will Thorne

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It was revealed in May that the hit Starz series’ sixth season was going be its last. However, series creator and co-showrunner Courtney A. Kemp had teased that new shows set in the “Power” universe were in the works and at the show’s Television Critics Association summer press tour she went a step further by announcing that the “first of several” prequel series will be titled “Power Book 2: Ghost,” and will feature Mary J. Blige.

The series will “continue the journey” of some of the show’s “most controversial characters,” Kemp revealed. Blige then joined Kemp and the cast on stage in a surprise appearance.

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“This is probably the most exciting thing that’s going to happen to me this year,” said Blige. “I’ve been a fan of ‘Power’ since the very beginning and I want to thank Courtney Kemp and 50 Cent for starting this conversation with me.”

Jackson and Kemp said that Blige came to mind while they were thinking about how to enhance the prequel series.

“I said I got to find a replacement for me, we found somebody that Courtney’s gonna have a ball working with because it’s female orientated and somebody who’s got enough juice and grace to make the show even bigger,” Jackson said.

Early on in the panel, Jackson almost spilled the beans on what form the spinoff series would take, before Kemp stepped in and reminded him that he was about spoil a surprise.

Jackson was also asked about the show’s lack of awards recognition and his views on why “Power” hasn’t seen any love from the TV Academy to date. The

“I’d like to say it’s racial, that’s the way way to get out of things,” Jackson said. “People connected to these ceremonies are not necessarily cool people.”

“Well now we’ll never get one,” Kemp responded jokingly.

Jackson revealed that his next project at Starz, with whom he signed a massive four-year multi-series deal last year, will be the previously announced drama based on the story of the drug trafficking organization Black Mafia Family.

“Power” also stars Omari Hardwick, Lela Loren, Naturi Naughton, Joseph Sikora, Rotimi, Alani “La La” Anthony, Jerry Ferrara, Shane Johnson, Michael Rainey Jr., and Larenz Tate. Even in its fifth season, the show is Starz’ most-watched and highest-rated show. According to the cabler, the series averaged 10 million viewers per episode in multi-platform viewing.

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