‘Power Book II: Ghost’ Showrunner Explains the Inspiration Behind Cane
Power Book II: Ghost is a story about Tariq St. Patrick, James “Ghost” St. Patrick’s son from Power. Set after Ghost’s death, the series follows Tariq as he settles into a new life while balancing school and a drug operation. Tariq slowly becomes more like his father and gets entangled with some of New York’s most dangerous criminals, including Cane Tejada.
Cane was introduced in the first season as the violent and hot-headed son of kingpin Lorenzo Tejada, who serves as the family muscle. While he’s a unique character, showrunner Courtney Kemp admits she also created him with someone in mind.
Cane Tejada is a problem for Tariq St. Patrick
Volatile and vengeful, Cane is Lorenzo and Monet Tejada’s right-hand man. He’s willing to do whatever to protect his family, even if they’re always not with him. It initially seems like he’ll take over until Lorenzo gets out of prison, but those responsibilities are put on his younger brother Dru instead.
Cane becomes jealous of him — and also Tariq, who becomes like a son to Monet. After a failed attempt on his life in Power Book II: Ghost Season 1, he eventually backs off on Monet’s orders. But Cane’s hatred for Tariq remains.
The inspiration behind Cane Tejada
Kemp, who also created the show, spoke about the making of Power Book II: Ghost and the characters on Instagram Live. She said there are some elements of Cane that were pulled from Santino “Sonny” Corleone’s character in the iconic crime film The Godfather.
“Cane is a little bit modeled after Sonny Corleone, for those of you who are ‘Godfather’ fans,” she said around the 14:00 mark. “We really wanted that energy, that kind of hot-head energy, that Santino energy, and Dru [Tejada] has a little bit of that Michael Corleone feel as well.”
Released in 1972, The Godfather is a mob drama following the Corleone family, headed by Vito Corleone. Sonny, as Fandom explains, “was the oldest, most impulsive, and violent of Vito’s sons.” He “was supposed to head the family business after the death of Vito,” but his brother Michael ultimately succeeded Vito.
The Godfather debuted to overwhelming critical acclaim and remains a classic today. It also spawned two sequels The Godfather Part II and The Godfather Part III in 1974 and 1990.
See more of Cane on ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ on Sundays
Fans can check out Power Book II: Ghost now on Starz. It airs at 8 p.m. ET on Sundays. The show is on a midseason break as of writing but will return to Starz on Sunday, Jan. 9.
The season will be followed by the premiere of Power Book IV: Force. That show focuses on gangster Tommy Egan and also has mob vibes, according to star Joseph Sikora. Force premieres on Starz on Feb. 6, 2022.
