Posted in: Preview, Starz, TV | Tagged: 50 cent, bleeding cool, cable, Courtney Kemp, curtis jackson, power, power book ii: ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Power Book IV: Influence, Power Book V: Force, starz, streaming, television, tv

"Power Book III: Raising Kanan": Patina Miller Cast in Major Lead Role

We told you at the start of our last update that STARZ's Power would start picking up steam when it came to casting news, and that's what we're getting on Wednesday with word that Patina Miller (Madam Secretary) is set to join series creator Courtney A. Kemp and executive producer Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's prequel series Power Book III: Raising Kanan in a major role.

Miller stars as Kanan's mother, Raquel "Raq" Thomas. Cold, hard, and fierce, Raq's a successful and deadly woman taking names in a man's world. As much as she cares for her son, there are many instances where one wonders if she loves him for who he is, or if she loves him merely as an extension of herself. The middle child of three, Raq also carries the heavy burden as the earner for her two brothers.

Here's a look at the four announced spinoffs set for STARZ:

● Power Book II: Ghost – sequel focusing on Michael Rainey Jr.'s Tariq, starring Mary J. Blige as successful business woman Monet, Method Man as attorney David MacClean, LaToya Tonodeo as Monet's daughter. Naturi Naughton's Tasha and Shane Johnson's Cooper Saxe will be making the move from the original series.

● Power Book III: Raising Kanan – prequel focusing on the early life of Jackson's Power character Kanan Stark, with Omar Epps in an unknown role though expected to play a "major figure" in the original series' history.

● Power Book IV: Influence – Tate (Larenz Tate) begins his rise in political power.

● Power Book V: Force – while on the west coast, Tommy (Joseph Sikora) tackles the means streets of LA.

"In television history, only a select few shows have inspired four consecutive series extensions, launched into active production and development at the same time. These new and exciting chapters will continue the journey of some of Power's most controversial characters while featuring a growing ensemble of complex, distinct characters along with the high-octane drama that set Power in a class of its own."

– Jeffrey Hirsch

Kemp will be producing the Power spinoffs through her End of Episode banner, alongside Jackson through G-Unit Film and Television and Mark Canton through Atmosphere Entertainment MM. Shana Stein and Bart Wenrich, and Chris Salek and Danielle DeJesus via End of Episode also executive produce. Lionsgate TV serves as the producing studio.

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