Michael Rainey Jr. can feel the shift ofPower.
Not bad for someone who still isn’t even 21 years old.
“Multiple people said it would never work and didn’t believe in it,” sharesPowerandGhostcreator Courtney Kemp.
‘Power Book II: Ghost’ season 2.Starz
And sometimes as a showrunner, you just got to trust your gut."
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How’s filming been going so far on season 2?
But filming’s been great, we’re having a lot of fun.
Omari Hardwick and Michael Rainey Jr. on ‘Power.'.Starz
The story’s just developing and developing, getting deeper and deeper.
What’s it been like seeing the overwhelming response toGhost?
It seemed like the buzz just kept getting bigger and bigger throughout season 1.
‘Power Book II: Ghost’ season 2.Starz
Hell yeah, definitely vindicating.
Everyone really hates me, and we’re about to make a show about my character?!"
But shoutout to Courtney, shoutout to the writers, they made it possible.
Is it wild to now see how people have gone from that to full-on rooting for Tariq?
Man, a freaking insane experience.
Because, like I said, I was super nervous coming into the first week.
So that outcome I really wasn’t expecting.
Obviously I was expecting good news, but I just wasn’t expecting it this much.
It’s the realness for me.
Someone can relate to at least one thing each of these characters are going through.
When did you realize thatPowerhad become a big deal?
We are the culture, basically."
It was definitely surprising to me to see how popping the show became.
He’s really tweaking himself.
He has to really think for himself.
I’m also becoming a young man.
Do you almost feel like you’ve been spoiled by this experience?
I definitely feel like I’ve been spoiled.
I never really expected this journey to become what it was.
Going from a recurring role to basically having my own show, it’s, “Whoa.”
Yeah, that was crazy.
I actually just read that today.
That’s a lot of love coming from Mekai.
That’s my guy, for sure.
So shoutout to Mekai for showing that love and appreciation.
I appreciate him for that.
We definitely chopped it up.
Other people are in that position as well, because everyone has a role on this team.
And my role is just to check that everybody’s got good energy and just having fun.
Did you have people that did that for you early in yourPowerrun?
Getting specifically intoGhost, the last time we chatted was before thebig season 1 finale.
Tariq had to be the one.
He had to get rid of the liabilities.
It always comes down to that.
It will affect Tariq, because everything Tariq does affects him.
It’s definitely going to mess with him.
Nobody really wants to kill, so he’s definitely going to have to learn to live with that.
Do you look at it the same way?
I look at it that way.
That was one of his struggles in season 1, accepting the fact that he’s like his father.
Early in season 2, he’s still trying to find a way to accept it.
He doesn’t want to, but it’s inevitable it’s in his blood.
That’s his nature.
It’s hard for him, but he’s coming into reality.
They’re in business with each other, so it’s a different jot down of trust.
I’m so excited forBook IIIandIV.I’m really waiting for that.
It feels like there’s a little bit of Tariq in young Kanan.
That’s super dope.
I haven’t seen anything.
That’s making me even more excited.
