Cast of Power Book III: Raising Kanan is more than just a list of names—it’s the backbone of a prequel that has redefined the Power Universe for a new generation. What makes this cast so magnetic? How did a group of Broadway stars, hip-hop icons, and rising young actors come together to bring 1990s South Jamaica, Queens, to life? Dive into this comprehensive guide to the cast of Power Book III: Raising Kanan, exploring every major character, the actors behind them, and the cultural impact of this fan-favorite Starz series.
Key Takeaways
- The cast of Power Book III: Raising Kanan features Mekai Curtis, Patina Miller, London Brown, Malcolm Mays, Omar Epps, Joey Bada$$, Hailey Kilgore, Antonio Ortiz, and more.
- Set in 1990s South Jamaica, Queens, the show’s gritty realism is rooted in authentic fashion, music, and dialect.
- 50 Cent serves as executive producer, guiding the show’s vision and mentoring the cast.
- Joey Bada$$’s Unique Bing survives a near-fatal shooting and returns in Season 4, more dangerous than ever.
- Jukebox’s transformation into a villain is a central arc, with Hailey Kilgore’s Broadway talent shining through.
- Patina Miller, a Tony Award winner, brings depth and power to the role of Raq, the show’s queenpin matriarch.
Stepping Into 1990s South Jamaica, Queens
The world of Power Book III: Raising Kanan is a time capsule of 1990s South Jamaica, Queens—a place where oversized jackets, gold chains, and the pulse of hip-hop set the stage for ambition and betrayal. Showrunner Sascha Penn, with executive producer 50 Cent, crafts a world that feels lived-in and raw. The show’s authenticity comes from its attention to detail: the slang, the music, the street corners, and the sense of danger lurking around every corner. Unlike the original Power, Raising Kanan is a coming-of-age story wrapped in a crime saga, making it both a prequel and a standalone drama that resonates with fans old and new.
Kanan Stark: The Boy Who Would Become a Kingpin (Mekai Curtis)
Who Is Mekai Curtis?
Mekai Curtis began his career as a child actor, starring in Disney XD’s Kirby Buckets and appearing in Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, Girl Meets World, and Arrested Development. His youthful energy and versatility made him a natural fit for the role of young Kanan Stark, a character destined for darkness but not yet hardened by it.
Studying 50 Cent
To embody Kanan, Curtis immersed himself in the world of 50 Cent, who played the adult version in the original Power series. He studied 50 Cent’s mannerisms, speech patterns, and physicality, ensuring that his portrayal would feel like a true origin story. This dedication paid off, as Curtis’s performance bridges the gap between innocence and the ruthless kingpin Kanan becomes.
Key Moments and Character Arc
Kanan’s journey is one of transformation. In Season 1, he’s a naive student, eager to please his mother but unaware of the consequences of her world. By Season 3, he’s rolling with the punches, adapting to the choices he’s made. As Curtis puts it, “I think Kanan has had to adapt to the choices he’s made… he’s rolling with the punches of what he’s become at this point.” The emotional core of his character is his capacity for love, even as he’s drawn deeper into the criminal underworld: “You’re seeing him grapple with this newfound depth… that huge capacity for love.” The chess match between Kanan and his mother Raq intensifies in Season 4, setting the stage for his final transformation.
Raquel “Raq” Thomas: The Queenpin of Queens (Patina Miller)
The Complexity of Raq
Raq is both a loving mother and a ruthless drug lord—a contradiction that defines her. Showrunner Sascha Penn describes her as a narcissist whose love is “complicated and fraught.” She’s fiercely protective of Kanan but also manipulative, using her son as a pawn in her quest for power. This duality makes Raq one of the most compelling characters in the Power Universe.
Patina Miller’s Broadway Roots
Patina Miller brings a powerhouse presence to Raq, drawing on her Tony Award-winning background. She won Best Actress in a Musical for Pippin in 2013 and starred in Sister Act on Broadway. On screen, she’s appeared in Madam Secretary, Mercy Street, All My Children, and as Commander Paylor in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2. Her stage experience gives her a commanding presence, making Raq both regal and terrifying.
Becoming Raq
To become Raq, Miller mastered the Queens accent and used wardrobe choices to project confidence and authority. She describes Raq as “very badass, but that’s because she’s so sure of herself.” For Miller, the role is a career highlight: “I have loved playing this character… a role of a lifetime.” Her performance anchors the show, making Raq both a villain and a tragic figure.
The Thomas Brothers: Marvin and Lou-Lou
Marvin Thomas (London Brown)
London Brown, known for Ballers (HBO) and The Hustle (Fuse), brings humor and heart to Marvin Thomas. He’s also appeared in Star, Tales From the Hood 3, and American Soul (as Bootsy Collins). Marvin starts as the hotheaded comic relief, but his relationship with his daughter Jukebox drives the show’s most meaningful redemption arc. Sascha Penn credits Brown’s performance: “It’s a testament to London’s work, frankly, that we were able to show that this character was capable of real profound change.”
Lou-Lou Thomas (Malcolm Mays)
Malcolm Mays, recognized for Snowfall (FX), Southpaw, Life of a King, and Them (Amazon), plays Lou-Lou Thomas—a man torn between the family’s criminal business and his passion for music. Initially hesitant to join the show, Mays describes Lou-Lou as “Black Michael Corleone… cool, calm, collected. He’s ice.” Courtney Kemp, executive producer, praises Mays: “He projects such strength, such masculinity, and he also brings a believability.” Mays himself reflects, “I didn’t want to do this, man… I am so glad I did.” Lou-Lou’s internal struggle adds depth to the family dynamic, as he tries to hold onto his soul in a world that demands its sacrifice.
The Law and the Antagonists: Pressure from All Sides
Detective Malcolm Howard (Omar Epps)
Omar Epps, a veteran of Juice, Love & Basketball, and House, plays Detective Malcolm Howard—a character whose presence ties the show directly to the 1990s era. Howard is revealed to be Kanan’s secret biological father, a twist that reshapes the series. He’s a survivor, navigating moral gray areas and ultimately meeting his end in the Season 3 finale. Epps’s casting brings gravitas and authenticity, connecting the show’s world to the real history of New York cinema.
Unique Bing (Joey Bada$$)
Joey Bada$$, a Grammy-nominated rapper and actor known for Mr. Robot and Two Distant Strangers, electrifies the screen as Unique Bing. Unique is a charismatic rival drug lord who evolves from antagonist to complex frenemy. After being seemingly killed by his brother Ronnie in Season 3, Unique survives and returns in Season 4—now more “hyperactive, irritable, just rageful” due to head trauma and driven by revenge. Joey Bada$$ remains a main cast member, and his performance blurs the line between music and acting, bringing street credibility and emotional depth.
The NYPD Presence
Detective Burke and the broader NYPD represent the ever-present threat to the Thomas family. Their investigations and pressure add tension to every episode, reminding viewers that in South Jamaica, the law is both a shield and a weapon.
The Support System and New Additions
Jukebox (Hailey Kilgore)
Hailey Kilgore, a Tony-nominated Broadway actress (Once on This Island), plays Jukebox—Kanan’s cousin and Marvin’s daughter. Kilgore’s vocal talents are woven into the show, and her portrayal traces Jukebox’s journey from a musically gifted teenager to the cold, hardened adult seen in the original Power (played by Anika Noni Rose). Season 4 marks the beginning of her villain arc, showing how trauma and betrayal shape her destiny.
Famous (Antonio Ortiz)
Antonio Ortiz, promoted to series regular in Season 2, plays Famous—Kanan’s best friend and aspiring rapper. Famous provides comic relief and a window into the 1990s rap scene, highlighting the era’s dreams and dangers.
New Faces in Season 3 and 4
Wendell Pierce (The Wire, Treme) joins as Ishmael “Snaps” Henry, a seasoned figure in the criminal underworld. Erika Rolfsrud appears as Stephanie “Pop” Henry, adding new layers to the show’s web of alliances. Grantham Coleman plays Ronnie Mathis (Unique’s brother who shoots him), and Rosal Colon portrays Juliana Ayala. These additions keep the series fresh and unpredictable.
Casting Brilliance: Why This Ensemble Works
The cast of Power Book III: Raising Kanan succeeds because of its authenticity. Every actor captures the dialect, fashion, and energy of 1990s Queens. The chemistry is palpable, especially in family scenes and confrontations—thanks in part to the dynamic table reads that set the tone for each episode. 50 Cent’s influence as executive producer is felt throughout, especially in his mentorship of Mekai Curtis. Showrunner Sascha Penn’s casting philosophy was simple: find actors who could embody the era’s spirit. As Penn says, “One of the real joys of writing Raising Kanan… is seeing these kids grow into young adults.”
The Power Effect: Where Have You Seen These Actors Before?
- Mekai Curtis: Disney Channel’s Kirby Buckets, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
- Patina Miller: Broadway’s Pippin (Tony Award), Sister Act, The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Parts 1 & 2
- Omar Epps: Juice (1992), Love & Basketball (2000), House MD
- Joey Bada$$: Hip-hop/rap, Mr. Robot, Two Distant Strangers
- London Brown: Ballers (HBO), The Hustle
- Malcolm Mays: Snowfall (FX), Southpaw, Life of a King, Them (Amazon)
- Hailey Kilgore: Once on This Island (Broadway)
- Wendell Pierce: The Wire, Treme
Raising Kanan vs. the Original Power: A Predecessor Comparison
Watching Raising Kanan adds new emotional layers to the original Power series. Mekai Curtis’s young Kanan is a study in innocence lost, while 50 Cent’s adult Kanan is the product of that loss. Hailey Kilgore’s Jukebox is a tragic figure, her transformation into the ruthless adult (Anika Noni Rose) made all the more heartbreaking by what viewers know of her past. The prequel format allows fans to see the seeds of ambition, betrayal, and love that will define these characters’ futures.
FAQ: Everything Fans Want to Know About the Cast
Q: Who plays young Kanan in Raising Kanan?
A: Mekai Curtis.
Q: Is Joey Bada$$ still in Raising Kanan?
A: Yes, he returns in Season 4 as Unique Bing.
Q: Is the cast actually from New York?
A: Several cast members have East Coast ties, but all received dialect coaching to ensure authenticity.
Q: Are any original Power actors in this prequel?
A: The show features new/younger versions of characters; Jukebox connects to her adult counterpart played by Anika Noni Rose in the original Power.
Q: Who is the showrunner of Raising Kanan?
A: Sascha Penn, alongside executive producers Courtney A. Kemp and 50 Cent.
CONCLUSION: The Legacy of the Raising Kanan Cast
The cast of Power Book III: Raising Kanan has transformed a prequel into a television event that stands on its own. The blend of Broadway talent (Patina Miller, Hailey Kilgore), veteran Hollywood actors (Omar Epps), hip-hop credibility (Joey Bada$$), and rising stars (Mekai Curtis) creates a rare chemistry. The show’s cultural authenticity—its 90s Queens setting, music, and fashion—works because the cast believes in it, and so do the viewers. As the series continues, expect even more twists, deeper character arcs, and unforgettable performances.
Who’s your favorite character from the cast of Power Book III: Raising Kanan? Share your thoughts and this post with fellow fans!
