Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for STARZ
- Michael Rainey Jr. spoke to Insider about his popular “Power” spin-off series, “Power Book II: Ghost.”
- The 20-year-old actor said that it was a “blessing” to be one of the only young Black men leading a TV show right now and he takes his responsibility as a leading man seriously off-screen too.
- Rainey also shared his thoughts on why “Power” never got recognition from the Television Academy, despite its mega-success in the ratings.
- “The show is not really [for the] industry,” the actor said. “It’s very raw and authentic and I feel stuff like that doesn’t really get the recognition it deserves in Hollywood…they don’t really respect stuff like that as much as they really should.”
- Warning: Spoilers ahead for the original “Power” series.
- Visit Insider’s homepage for more stories.
Michael Rainey Jr. has managed to execute two of the hardest transitions in the entertainment business.
First, he has led a successful TV series into a successful spin-off: “Power Book II: Ghost” is currently the Starz network’s most-watched series and was renewed for a second season after just three episodes. Secondly, the 20-year-old New York native has seamlessly moved from a child actor into a leading role without any of the common pitfalls.
“Man, it’s a blessing,” Rainey told Insider about his role as the star of “Power’s” first spin-off. “I appreciate all the love no matter how crazy it is.”
“Power Book II: Ghost” is set directly after the events of the original “Power” series as Tariq St. Patrick (Rainey) grapples with his new reality. His father James “Ghost” St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick) – an underground drug kingpin turned legit nightclub owner – is dead, and his mother, Tasha (Naturi Naughton), is facing charges for his murder.
And in case you have been living under a rock, it was revealed on the series finale of “Power” that Ghost was actually murdered by Tariq.
'This is one of the only shows with a young, Black man leading,' Rainey Jr. said.
Myles Aronowitz/Starz
During "Power," the original series that ran for six seasons, ending back in February, Rainey started on the show at 12 year old, having a minor role until season three. That's when Tariq became an important series regular and the show's main villain, or the closest thing to a villain in the complicated "Power" universe.
In turn, Rainey's performances grew in stature and he provided one of my most exciting depictions of a complicated protagonist, who fans love to hate. In fact, Rainey recalled an incident to Insider when he bumped into a fan in New York. That fan later accosted and pushed him because of Tariq's decisions on the show.
But in "Ghost," Rainey is doing something different. He's older and now carries the sort of confidence you can't fake for the camera. The show quite plainly rests on the consistency of his performances and thankfully for the show's writers, he continues to hit all the right notes. Rainey credits that to his experience in playing the same character for six years.
"It's the same character, but a way different role," he told Insider. "So I was just really reading my scripts, trying to get into that space of Tariq becoming the man of the house now; the man of the show; the man of the new 'Power' universe."
"To take on that type of responsibility, you need confidence," Rainey continued. "So I feel like I just had to just get the confidence."
The spin-off series also catapults Rainey into the very rare company of Will Smith, Raven-Symoné, Jamie Foxx, Martin Lawrence, and Brandy - some of the few Black actors to assume the lead in a primetime television show, the importance of which isn't lost on him.
"This is one of the only shows with a young Black man leading, so I feel like right now that's a blessing and I can't ask for anything more than to be in that position," he said. "This is one of the best positions you can be in because when you're leading a show it's not just about the show, it's about off of the show too because you're an inspiration to the kids that are younger, so I always want to be an inspiration to those that watch me and watch what I do."
Rainey said 'Power' never got nominated for an Emmy because it's 'very raw and authentic.'
Starz
In addition to several cast members who have returned from the original series, "Ghost" has also picked up two big-name additions: the Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige, who Rainey Jr. said was "always in his ear" as a child because his mother was constantly playing her music, and the former Wu-Tang Clan rapper-turned-actor Method Man, who is also a Staten Island native.
"I played football with Method's Man son a long time before I started acting," he said of his connection to the rapper. "It's two Staten Islanders on the screen showing love and repping for Staten Island."
But despite six popular seasons and a star-studded spin-off, "Power" has never been nominated for an Emmy. The show has been almost exclusively shut out of Hollywood's mainstream awards circuit. The show's creator 50 Cent has continually pushed back against the Television Academy for the snubs.
Rainey has his own opinion on why the show has never gotten Academy acclaim.
"I feel like it's because the show is not really [for the] industry," Rainey said. "It's very raw and authentic and I feel stuff like that doesn't really get the recognition it deserves in Hollywood."
"They don't really respect stuff like that as much as they really should," he continued, referring to the Academy voters. "But like 50 says, you can't take any awards to the bank."
'Power Book II: Ghost' is the first of four 'Power' spin-offs
Brad Barket/Getty Images for STARZ
"Ghost" is the first of four planned spin-off shows that are set to roll out on Starz across the next five years.
Showrunner and lead writer Courtney Kemp said she took inspiration from the Marvel Cinematic Universe when deciding to expand "Power."
"Power Book III: Raising Kanan," a prequel that focuses on 50 Cent's villain from the original series, is scheduled to premiere in 2021, and that will be quickly followed up by "Power Book IV: Force," which will follow Tommy, Joseph Sikora's character, from the original series.
"Man, I'm just ready to see Tommy back in action," Rainey said of the upcoming sequels and his onscreen godfather of sorts. "That's one of my favorite characters in 'Power' because he's just crazy and ruthless and he just does what he's got to do."
"And as far as the 'Raising Kanan' spin-off, I definitely want to see that because that's going to be old-school vibes, so it's going to be all old-school cars and old-school wardrobe, and stuff like that I love so much," he said of the preqel, set in the 1990s. "The writers have got something up their sleeve all the time, every episode, every script, every season."
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Starz has 3 'Power' spin-offs in development, including a prequel TV series starring 50 Cent