The Power universe, created by Courtney A. Kemp and produced by rapper 50 Cent, has captivated audiences with its gritty storytelling, complex characters, and high-stakes drama. Since the original Power series premiered on Starz in 2014, it has expanded into a sprawling universe of interconnected spin-offs, each adding new layers to the narrative.
With so many different shows under the Power umbrella, knowing the right order to watch them can enhance your viewing experience. Here’s a complete guide on how to watch the Power universe.
1. Start with the Original: Power (2014-2020)
The original Power series is the foundation of the entire franchise, and it’s where you should begin. It follows James St. Patrick (played by Omari Hardwick), also known as “Ghost,” a drug dealer trying to leave his life of crime behind to become a legitimate nightclub owner. But his double life becomes increasingly complicated as he navigates betrayal, crime, love, and power.
The six-season run of Power introduces the key characters that will shape the spin-offs, including Ghost’s best friend Tommy Egan (Joseph Sikora), his wife Tasha (Naturi Naughton), and his protégé-turned-nemesis, Kanan Stark (50 Cent). Watching Power first is essential to understand the intricate relationships and conflicts that carry over into the spin-offs.
2. Next, Watch Power Book II: Ghost (2020-present)
Power Book II: Ghost picks up immediately after the events of Power and follows Ghost’s son, Tariq St. Patrick (Michael Rainey Jr.), as he tries to navigate life after his father’s death. The series explores Tariq’s struggles to balance his studies at an elite university with running his own drug business, all while trying to protect his family and deal with the legal consequences of his father’s legacy.
If you’ve watched the original Power, you’ll be familiar with many of the characters in Ghost, including Tasha and attorney Davis MacLean (Method Man). This spin-off is crucial to the overall arc of the Power universe, as it continues the St. Patrick family saga and sets the stage for future conflicts.
3. Dive into the Prequel: Power Book III: Raising Kanan (2021-present)
After watching Ghost, you can jump back in time with Power Book III: Raising Kanan. This prequel series takes place in the 1990s and focuses on the teenage years of Kanan Stark (played by Mekai Curtis), the character originally portrayed by 50 Cent in the original Power. Raising Kanan gives fans a deeper understanding of how Kanan became the ruthless character we meet in Power and explores his relationship with his mother, Raquel “Raq” Thomas (Patina Miller), a powerful drug queenpin.
This series adds rich backstory to the Power universe and offers a fresh perspective on Kanan’s upbringing in South Jamaica, Queens, shedding light on the influences that shaped him into a major player in the drug trade.
4. Continue with Power Book IV: Force (2022-present)
Power Book IV: Force centers on fan-favorite Tommy Egan, Ghost’s best friend and right-hand man from the original Power. After Ghost’s death, Tommy leaves New York and heads to Chicago to start a new life. However, he quickly gets pulled into the local drug scene and finds himself building a new empire in a city full of ruthless competitors.
This spin-off delves deeper into Tommy’s character, giving him a new environment and set of challenges to conquer. If you’ve followed Tommy’s journey through Power, this series is a must-watch to see where his story goes next.
