The Power Universe (or Power franchise) is an American media franchise of television crime drama series created by Courtney A. Kemp in collaboration with Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. The franchise produced one of the highest-rated and most-watched shows on Starz.
Television series
Power (2014–2020)
James St. Patrick finds himself in trouble when he is caught between balancing two separate lives. Trying to leave his past as a smooth yet ruthless drug-dealer nicknamed "Ghost," his new goals to be a legitimate nightclub owner and to save his crumbling marriage don't come easy. As the "ghost" of his past comes to roost, James must evade the police, manage shifting economic alliances, and attempt to leave the criminal world behind.
Power Book II: Ghost (2020–2024)
Serving as a sequel to the original series, Power Book II: Ghost follows Tariq St. Patrick as he navigates a new life. With a desire to shed his father's legacy, he too finds himself entangled in the complications of drug operations and family affairs. With mounting pressure to save his family, he must learn to balance his drug operation, take on the cutthroat Tejada family, and avoid scrutiny from local and federal law enforcement.
Power Book III: Raising Kanan (2021–2026)
In a prequel to the original series, Power Book III: Raising Kanan follows the journey of young Kanan Stark as he first gets into the drug-dealing game in the 1990s to his role as a major antagonist in Power.
Power Book IV: Force (2022–2026)
In the second sequel spin-off to Power, Power Book IV: Force follows Tommy Egan as he leaves New York behind to try to become the greatest drug-dealer in all of Chicago.
Power: Origins (TBA)
A fifth series and fourth spin-off in the Power Universe was announced to be in development at Starz on March 13, 2024. The series, which is the second prequel in the franchise as well as a sequel to Power Book III: Raising Kanan, will focus on the early years of James "Ghost" St. Patrick and Tommy Egan in the late 1990s and early 2000s, exploring their rise in New York City's criminal underworld. Starz ordered an 18-episode season in July 2025 with MeKai Curtis reprising Kanan Stark and Raising Kanan creator Sascha Penn creating and showrunning Origins as well.
Power: Legacy (TBA) The development of Power: Legacy was announced in June 2025, with Gary Lennon and Kendra Chapman writing, producing and Lennon set as showrunner, and the series centered around Tommy Egan and Tariq St. Patrick. Starz ordered an 8-episode season in June 2026 with Joseph Sikora and Michael Rainey Jr. reprising Tommy Egan and Tariq St. Patrick and Force creator Gary Lennon creating and showrunning Legacy as well. This will be the fifth spin-off and third sequel to Power.
Cancelled or reworked projects
Power Book V: Influence The development of Power Book V: Influence was cancelled in August 2022 and the series would not be moving forward. Power Book V: Influence was set to follow Rashad Tate's political career. The spin-off was supposed to focus on Tate’s second run for governor of New York, with Larenz Tate reprising his role. However, Starz decided not to move forward with this project, likely because Tate’s character already plays a prominent role in Power Book II: Ghost. Starz programming executives have mentioned that the character's story could continue to unfold within that series.
Accolades Series Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref. Power 2015 Women's Image Network Awards Actress Drama Series Naturi Naughton Outstanding Show Written by a Woman Courtney A. Kemp 2016 47th NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Drama Series Power Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Omari Hardwick Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Naturi Naughton NAMIC Vision Awards Best Performance – Drama Naturi Naughton Best Performance – Drama Omari Hardwick Women's Image Network Awards Actress Drama Series Naturi Naughton 2017 48th NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Drama Series Power Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Omari Hardwick Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Naturi Naughton Black Reel Awards for Television Outstanding Drama Series Power People's Choice Awards Favorite Premium Drama Series Power 2018 49th NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Drama Series Power Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Omari Hardwick Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Naturi Naughton Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited Series) Michael Rainey Jr. Black Reel Awards for Television Outstanding Actor, Drama Series Omari Hardwick NAMIC Vision Awards Best Performance – Drama 50 Cent Best Performance – Drama Michael Rainey Jr. Drama Power Hollywood Music in Media Awards (HMMA) Outstanding Music Supervision – Television Jennifer Ross 2019 50th NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Drama Series Power 34th Annual Imagen Awards Best Actress - Television Lela Loren 2020 51st NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Omari Hardwick Power Book II: Ghost 2021 NAACP Image Awards Outstanding Drama Series Power Book II: Ghost Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Clifford 'Method Man' Smith Jr Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Mary J. Blige 2022 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Clifford 'Method Man' Smith Jr Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Mary J. Blige
Theme songs The opening themes for all four series are songs performed by the executive producer of the show, 50 Cent. Series Theme song Power "Big Rich Town" Power Book II: Ghost Power Book III: Raising Kanan "Part of the Game" Power Book IV: Force "Power Powder Respect"
References
External links