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Will Tariq Be in ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan?’ Michael Rainey Jr. Just Addressed the Possibility

Since the news of 'Power Book III: Raising Kanan,' the 'Power' prequel centering a teenage Kanan Stark, fans have wondered if certain characters will appear on the show, such as Tariq St. Patrick. Now, Michael Rainey Jr., who plays the team, has finally weighed in on the possibility.

When Power Book III: Raising Kanan was announced, one of the biggest questions that fans had was about who would be in the show.

The series, released in July of 2021, is a prequel to the 2014 show Power, going back in time to trek the rise of antagonist Kanan Stark before his violent death in the original series. While the show has yet to introduce people from that era, the expectation is that it will as the series progresses. But what about Tariq St. Patrick? Will Tariq be in Power Book III: Raising Kanan in the future? Here are Michael Rainey Jr.’s thoughts.

Michael Rainey Jr. on the red carpet wearing a black outfit with gold chains and glasses
Michael Rainey Jr. | Efren Landaos/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ begins decades before the events in ‘Power’

When Power Book III: Raising Kanan begins, the year is 1991 — more than two decades before what happened in Power.

Kanan is 15 years old and eager to join the criminal organization helmed by his mother Raquel and her brothers Marvin and Lou-Lou. He eventually does despite her protests and makes a series of rookie mistakes along the way, creating a mess that he’s obviously too ill-equipped to handle. The first season ran through September and culminated in a stunning finale. 

Will Tariq ever be in the show?

The plan, according to Power creator and showrunner Courtney Kemp, is to have six seasons of Power Book III: Raising Kanan. It seems, then, that there’s certainly room to introduce others from the original show. But Rainey isn’t sure Tariq would ever be on it considering his character wasn’t born until the early 2000s.

“But it would be super-dope to be a part of that show somehow,” he added to The Radio Times. “I love shows that have that old-school aesthetic. Maybe I could pop up in the background somewhere, with an afro or something, changing up my appearance a bit.”

It remains to be seen if that’ll happen. But 50 Cent, who serves as an executive producer, did tease appearances from other Power characters next season. One of them is Breeze, who mentored Kanan, Ghost, and Tommy before Ghost betrayed and murdered him.

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‘Power: Raising Kanan’: 50 Cent Describes Spinoff as ‘Innocence Phase’ For His Character

When does ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ come back on?

Next, Starz will premiere the second season of Power Book II: Ghost, the show following Tariq as he adjusts to life without his father after his death in the Power series finale. It returns to the network on Sunday, Nov. 21, followed by the inaugural season of Power Book IV: Force in February. Force revolves around Tommy, showing what happens to him after faking his death and fleeing New York.

Starz has not yet revealed a release date for Power Book III: Raising Kanan Season 2, but Curtis noted in an interview published in September that filming was almost halfway done. That makes a summer 2022 premiere likely, but nothing has been confirmed. 

In the meantime, the first season of Power Book III: Raising Kanan can be found now on Starz.