Let’s be real for a second. When Starz first announced they were doing a prequel about a young Kanan Stark, people were skeptical. Why? Because we already knew how Kanan ended up. We saw 50 Cent play the older, grittier version in the original Power series. We saw his demise. But Power Book III: Raising Kanan isn't just a simple origin story; it’s a Shakespearean tragedy set against the backdrop of 1990s South Jamaica, Queens. It’s gritty. It’s loud. It feels more like The Wire than the flashy, high-glitz drama of the Ghost and Tommy years.
The show works because it isn't actually about Kanan. Not really. It’s about Raquel "Raq" Thomas.
The Raq Thomas Effect: Why Power Book III: Raising Kanan Works
Patina Miller is a force of nature. Honestly, her portrayal of Raq is what keeps the engine humming. While the original Power was built on the brotherhood of Ghost and Tommy, this prequel is built on the suffocating, protective, and often violent love of a mother. Raq isn't just a "queenpin." That's a lazy trope. She’s a strategist who happens to be a parent, and those two roles are constantly at war.
You’ve got to appreciate the nuances here. In Season 3 especially, we saw the cracks. Raq tried to "get out," but the game doesn't let you just walk away. It’s a recurring theme in the Power Universe, sure, but here it feels heavier because the stakes aren't just about money—they're about the soul of her son. Kanan, played with a simmering intensity by MeKai Curtis, is basically a sponge. He’s absorbing all the wrong lessons while thinking he's becoming a man.
It's tragic.
Most prequels fail because they feel like they’re just checking boxes. "Oh, here’s where he got his first gun. Here’s where he learned that catchphrase." Power Book III: Raising Kanan avoids that. It builds a world that feels lived-in. The fashion is spot on. The music—from 1991 classics to the deep cuts—isn’t just background noise; it’s a character. When you hear those New Jack Swing beats or the early Wu-Tang influences, you aren't just watching a show. You're in 1991. You're in 1992.
The Supporting Cast Isn't Just "Support"
Let’s talk about Marvin and Lou-Lou. London Brown (Marvin) has had perhaps the best character arc in the entire franchise. He started as the "dumb" muscle, the comic relief who did something unforgivable to his daughter, Jukebox. But the writers didn't leave him there. They showed his clumsy, painful attempt at redemption. It’s uncomfortable to watch sometimes. That’s good writing.
Lou-Lou, on the other hand, is the soul of the family that's slowly being crushed. His desire to move into the music business—to find something "clean"—is the show's biggest heartbeat.
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Then there’s Jukebox.
Hailey Kilgore plays the younger version of Anika Noni Rose’s character. If you’ve seen the original Power, you know Jukebox becomes a monster. A literal sociopath. Seeing her as a gifted, sensitive teenager in Power Book III: Raising Kanan is heartbreaking. You see the moments where her light gets extinguished. It’s not one big event. It’s a series of small betrayals.
Fact-Checking the 90s Vibe
One thing the showrunners, led by Sascha Penn, get right is the geography. This isn't a generic "hood" show. South Jamaica, Queens, has a specific rhythm. The show references real-life landmarks and the actual vibe of the Baisley Park Houses.
- The influence of the "Supreme Team" and the real-life drug empires of the 80s and 90s looms large over the script.
- The fashion choices, from the leather Snipest jackets to the Kangol hats, aren't just costumes. They are armor.
- The tension between the Black community and the NYPD (represented by characters like Detective Howard) reflects the actual historical "War on Drugs" era policies.
Some fans complain that the pace is slower than Force or Ghost. They're right. It is slower. But that’s intentional. You need the slow burn to understand why Kanan becomes the man who would eventually kill his own son. You can't rush that kind of trauma.
What People Get Wrong About Kanan’s Journey
A lot of viewers think Kanan was "born bad." The show argues the opposite.
He was actually a good student. He was smart. He had options. The tragedy of Power Book III: Raising Kanan is that his entry into the drug trade was an act of love for his mother. He wanted to protect her. He wanted to be part of the family business because he thought that’s what loyalty meant.
The relationship between Kanan and Ronnie in Season 3 was a masterclass in tension. Ronnie, played by Grantham Coleman, brought a terrifying, stoic energy that shifted the show from a family drama into a psychological thriller. He was the physical manifestation of what happens when the "game" strips away every ounce of humanity. He didn't care about the money or the clout; he just cared about the power.
Understanding the Season 4 and 5 Outlook
As we move deeper into the timeline, the "prequel" aspect is going to get tighter. We know that eventually, Kanan has to meet a young Ghost and Tommy. That’s the "Holy Grail" for fans. But the show is smart to hold back on that. If they introduce them too early, it becomes a gimmick. Right now, the show is focused on the internal rot of the Thomas family.
The death of certain key characters (no spoilers here, but if you’ve seen the Season 3 finale, you know) has reset the board.
Raq is increasingly isolated.
Kanan is increasingly independent.
The bridge between them is burning.
Why This Show Matters in 2026
In an era of "content" where shows are pumped out by algorithms, Power Book III: Raising Kanan feels hand-crafted. It’s a period piece. It deals with themes of legacy, the failure of the American Dream, and the specific trauma of systemic poverty. It doesn't preach. It just shows you the consequences of the choices these characters make.
Honestly, it’s the best-written show Starz has ever produced.
The dialogue is sharp without being "too" TV-scripted. People talk over each other. They use slang that isn't always explained. They have internal contradictions. Raq can order a hit in the morning and make a home-cooked meal in the evening without the show feeling like it's trying too hard to be "edgy." It just is.
Real Insights for Superfans
If you're trying to keep up with the ever-expanding Power Universe, you have to treat Raising Kanan as the foundation. While Ghost is about the aftermath and Force is about the expansion, this show is about the why.
- Pay attention to the mirrors. The show often mirrors scenes from the original Power to show how history repeats itself.
- Watch the background characters. Many of the people in the periphery of Raq’s organization are names that pop up in the lore of the other books.
- Don't trust the narrations. 50 Cent’s voiceover as the older Kanan isn't just a recap; it’s an unreliable narrator reflecting on a life he’s already lived.
The show is currently a cornerstone of the Starz lineup. With the announcement of Origins, a new prequel focusing on Ghost and Tommy, Raising Kanan is the essential bridge. You can't understand the future of the franchise without looking at this specific past.
Actionable Steps for Viewers
To get the most out of the series, don't just binge-watch it in the background while you're on your phone. You'll miss the subtle shifts in the performances.
- Watch for the "transition" moments: Look at how Kanan's wardrobe changes. He starts in bright, oversized clothes and slowly moves toward the darker, more utilitarian look of a soldier.
- Follow the music: Starz often releases official playlists for each season. Listening to the tracks used in specific episodes gives you a deeper look into the emotional state of the characters at that time.
- Re-watch the original Power S2 and S3: After finishing a season of Raising Kanan, go back and watch 50 Cent’s scenes in the original series. The way he talks about his mother and his upbringing hits completely differently once you've seen the prequel.
- Check the production notes: Follow Sascha Penn on social media. He often shares the specific 90s inspirations—from movies to real news stories—that influenced certain episodes.
This isn't just another drug show. It’s a character study of a monster in the making. And the scariest part is, by the end of it, you kind of understand why he became that way.
The story of Kanan Stark is far from over, even if we already know how it ends. The beauty is in the journey, the heartbreak, and the cold, hard streets of Queens that raised him.