‘Power Book II: Ghost’: Michael Rainey Jr. Says He Remembers the Exact Moment He Realized ‘Power’ Was a Huge Deal
Michael Rainey Jr. is the star of the first Power Universe spinoff. Power Book II: Ghost follows Rainey’s character Tariq St. Patrick. In the aftermath of his father’s death, Tariq is trying to navigate life as a college student and his role in the Tejada family’s drug organization.
It has been quite the journey to watch Tariq’s evolution. Rainey even recalls the moment he realized Power was a huge deal.
Michael Rainey Jr. says he’s enjoyed watching Tariq’s growth in the ‘Power’ Universe
Tariq has gone through a ton of trials and tribulations in the Power Universe. He was first a secondary character, then he went through a period of being an angsty teenager causing chaos. Now, in Power Book II: Ghost, he has become someone that fans root for.
Rainey has explained why he’s loved watching Tariq’s growth. “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. So I feel like I just had to just get the confidence.”
Michael Rainey Jr. says he remembers the exact moment he realized the show was a huge deal
Rainey has starred in the Power Universe since he was just 12 years old. In the beginning, the actor didn’t have much of a role. However, as the seasons pressed forward, Tariq emerged as a central character on the show. Still, it took Rainey a moment to realize how massive the show was.
“Season 4 really is when I came to the realization, like, ‘Yo, this show is a hit. We are the culture, basically'”, he told Entertainment Weekly. “Especially once my character started getting a little more involved, and everyone started reacting so much to what Tariq did. It was definitely surprising to me to see how popping the show became. I knew it would be something, but it kind of just caught me off guard how fast and how crazy things got.”
Now, the Power Universe has expanded with Power Book III: Raising Kanan, Power Book IV: Force, and Power Book V: Influence.
‘Power Book II: Ghost’ Season 2 will deal with ethics
Nearly one year after the first season of Power Book II: Ghost wrapped, the second season is set to return to Starz in November 2021. This season, Tariq will be dealing with the consequences of his actions from season 1. With his mother, Tasha (Naturi Naughton) in witness protection, and now that he’s ostracized from his uncle Tommy (Joseph Sikora), he’s going to have to trust himself.
“I think it might be more about an ethical dilemma,” Power creator Courtney Kemp told Deadline via Express. “For example, you know, is there such a thing as real greater good, right? Is there a greater good?”
Let’s just hope that Tariq has learned enough to stand his ground against the Tejadas.
