The Starz original series Power Book III: Raising Kanan has established itself as a powerhouse in the crime drama genre. Serving as a prequel to the original Power franchise, the show transports viewers back to 1990s South Jamaica, Queens, to witness the formative years of Kanan Stark. While the writing and 90s aesthetic are impeccable, the show’s soul lies in its exceptional cast. From Broadway veterans to rising young stars, the actors in Raising Kanan deliver performances that add layers of complexity to a world defined by violence, loyalty, and ambition.

The Core Main Cast of Power Book III Raising Kanan

At the heart of the series is the Thomas family, a tight-knit but volatile unit that controls a significant portion of the drug trade in Queens. The chemistry between these lead actors is what grounds the show's more explosive moments.

Mekai Curtis as Kanan Stark

Mekai Curtis takes on the monumental task of portraying the younger version of the character made famous by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. In this prequel, we don't see the hardened antagonist of the original series immediately. Instead, Curtis portrays Kanan as a promising, somewhat naive teenager who is gradually corrupted by his environment and his mother’s influence.

In our analysis of his performance, Curtis excels at subtle physical acting. He incorporates the specific head tilts and vocal cadences that 50 Cent used, making the transition between the young Kanan and the older version feel organic. His portrayal captures the internal conflict of a boy who wants to be "in the game" but hasn't yet lost his conscience.

Patina Miller as Raquel "Raq" Thomas

If Kanan is the heart of the show, Raq is its engine. Patina Miller, a Tony Award-winning actress, brings a regal yet terrifying intensity to the role of the Thomas family matriarch. Raq is one of the most complex female characters on television—a mother who deeply loves her son but is willing to manipulate him into committing murder to protect her empire.

Miller’s performance is a masterclass in controlled power. Whether she is negotiating with rival drug lords or scolding Kanan at the kitchen table, there is an underlying threat in her voice. The way she commands every room she enters makes it easy to see why the entire Queens drug scene fears and respects her.

London Brown as Marvin Thomas

Marvin is the eldest of the Thomas siblings and often serves as the "muscle" of the operation. London Brown provides one of the most dynamic character arcs in the series. Initially seen as a volatile and somewhat unreliable hothead, Marvin evolves into a deeply sympathetic figure as he attempts to reconcile with his daughter, Jukebox, and deal with his own anger issues.

Brown’s ability to pivot from terrifying violence to heartfelt vulnerability is a testament to his range. His scenes in anger management classes provide a stark, often humorous contrast to his life on the streets, adding a layer of humanity to a character that could have easily been a one-dimensional thug.

Malcolm Mays as Louis "Lou-Lou" Thomas

The youngest of the three siblings, Lou-Lou is the "soul" of the family business. Portrayed by Malcolm Mays, Lou-Lou is a man caught between two worlds: the violent drug trade he was born into and his passion for the music industry. Throughout the seasons, Mays portrays Lou-Lou’s growing disillusionment with Raq’s ruthlessness.

Mays brings a brooding, cinematic quality to Lou-Lou. His performance often relies on what is left unsaid, using expressive silence to convey the heavy toll that the family’s body count takes on his mental health.

Hailey Kilgore as LaVerne "Jukebox" Ganner

Hailey Kilgore plays the young Jukebox, Kanan’s cousin and his closest confidante. For fans of the original Power, seeing the transformation of the sweet, musically gifted Jukebox into the corrupt police officer played by Anika Noni Rose is heartbreaking.

Kilgore’s performance is perhaps the most emotive in the cast. Her struggles with her identity, her fractured relationship with her father Marvin, and the loss of her first love are played with raw honesty. Kilgore, a seasoned singer, also showcases her vocal talents, making Jukebox’s dreams of stardom feel tangible and tragic.

Rival Players and the Queens Underworld

The Thomas family does not operate in a vacuum. The cast includes several actors who play the rivals and associates that shape Kanan’s world.

Joey Bada$$ as Kadeem "Unique" Mathis

Unique is Raq’s primary rival in the early seasons. Portrayed by rapper and actor Joey Bada$$, Unique is the epitome of 90s street style and charisma. Unlike the Thomas family’s more brute-force approach, Unique is a chess player—smooth, calculated, and always dressed in the latest high-end fashion.

Joey Bada$$’s transition into acting has been seamless. He provides Unique with a level of charm that makes him a "likable" villain, creating a fascinating dynamic when he and Raq are forced to interact or compete. His survival and return in later seasons have remained a major talking point for the fanbase.

Grantham Coleman as Ronnie Mathis

Introduced as Unique’s brother, Ronnie Mathis is a stark contrast to his sibling’s charisma. Grantham Coleman portrays Ronnie as a stoic, socially awkward, and utterly ruthless force of nature. His presence in Season 3 shifted the tone of the show toward a more unpredictable and slasher-esque horror vibe. Coleman’s performance is chilling because of how little emotion he shows, even during acts of extreme violence.

Antonio Ortiz as Shawn "Famous" Figueroa

Famous is Kanan’s best friend and provides much of the show’s levity. Antonio Ortiz plays the aspiring rapper with a mix of humor and tragic loyalty. As the series progresses, Famous finds himself increasingly out of his depth in the violent world Kanan inhabits, serving as a reminder of the collateral damage the drug game causes to those who aren't built for it.

The Law Enforcement Cast

The police presence in Raising Kanan is more than just a background threat; they are deeply entwined with the Thomas family’s history.

Omar Epps as Detective Malcolm Howard

Omar Epps, a veteran of 90s cinema, brings immense weight to the role of Detective Howard. Early in the series, it is revealed that Howard is Kanan’s biological father, a secret that Raq has kept hidden for years.

Epps plays Howard with a weary, cynical edge. He is a man who knows he is dying (from leukemia) and is trying to navigate his own corrupt legacy while attempting to form a bond with a son who doesn't know he exists. The tension between Epps and Patina Miller produces some of the show’s best dialogue-driven scenes.

Shanley Caswell as Detective Shannon Burke

Burke is Howard’s partner, a young detective trying to do the right thing in a precinct filled with corruption and apathy. Shanley Caswell’s portrayal focuses on Burke’s tenacity. Her obsession with uncovering the truth about the Thomas family and Howard’s involvement eventually leads her down a dangerous path, highlighting the show’s theme that no one stays clean in Queens.

Notable Newcomers and Recurring Stars

As Raising Kanan expanded into Seasons 3 and 4, the cast grew to include legendary actors and fresh talent that shifted the power dynamics.

  • Tony Danza as Stefano Marchetti: Bringing some Italian-American mafia flavor to the Queens drug scene, Danza plays the powerful mob boss Stefano. His inclusion adds a "Five Boroughs" feel to the series, showing that Raq’s operation is part of a much larger criminal ecosystem.
  • Wendell Pierce as Ishmael "Snaps" Henry: Pierce, famous for his role in The Wire, joins as a legendary street figure who acts as a mentor and financier for Kanan. His chemistry with his on-screen wife, Pop, provides a glimpse into the "old guard" of the drug trade.
  • Erika Woods as Stephanie "Pop" Henry: The matriarchal counterpart to Snaps, Pop is as sharp and dangerous as any of the younger players.
  • Krystal Joy Brown as Renée Timmons: Introduced as Marvin’s anger management therapist, her character provided a catalyst for some of the most profound character growth in the series.

Supporting Cast and Season 4 Developments

With Season 4 premiering on March 7, 2025, several recurring characters have taken on larger roles:

  • Aliyah Turner as Krystal: A member of Jukebox’s girl group "Butta" and a romantic interest for Kanan, her character represents the intersection of the music world and the street world.
  • Rosal Colon as Juliana: Originally a victim of domestic abuse who worked for Raq, Juliana’s transformation into a vengeful drug distributor in her own right has been one of the show's most surprising turns.
  • Toby Sandeman as Symphony Bosket: Raq’s former love interest, Symphony provided a glimpse of a different life for Raq, though his academic background eventually made him a poor fit for her violent reality.

The Performance Style: Why the Raising Kanan Cast Works

The success of the Raising Kanan cast stems from a specific casting philosophy: blending "street" authenticity with theatrical training. Many of the leads, including Patina Miller and Hailey Kilgore, have extensive backgrounds in musical theater and Broadway. This training allows them to handle the "Shakespearean" weight of the show's drama.

In our observation, the show avoids the "mumblecore" style of some modern dramas. The dialogue in Raising Kanan is crisp and rhythmic, reminiscent of the 90s hip-hop era it depicts. The actors lean into the slang and the cadence of the time without making it feel like a caricature. This is particularly evident in the scenes featuring Joey Bada$$ and London Brown, who both possess a natural timing that makes the 90s setting feel lived-in.

Behind the Scenes: The Creators and Narrator

While not on screen (mostly), two figures are essential to the cast's impact:

  • 50 Cent (Narrator): As the executive producer and the voice of "Adult Kanan," 50 Cent’s narration provides the cynical, hindsight-heavy context for the events on screen. It creates a bridge between the prequel and the original series.
  • Sascha Penn (Creator/Showrunner): Penn’s vision for the characters ensures that every actor has a clear motivation. He has often stated in interviews that the show is a "family drama first, crime show second," and that focus is reflected in how the actors prioritize emotional beats over action sequences.

Season 5: The Final Chapter and New Cast Members

Starz has officially renewed Power Book III: Raising Kanan for a fifth and final season, set to premiere on June 12, 2026. This final installment is expected to bridge the gap completely to the original Power series. New cast members for the upcoming seasons include:

  • Leslie Grossman as Florence "Flossie" Siegel: Known for her work in American Horror Story, Grossman is set to bring a new dynamic to the shifting alliances in Queens.
  • Joe Pantoliano as Pino Bernardi: Another veteran of crime dramas (The Sopranos), Pantoliano’s addition suggests that the Italian-American mob's influence will be a major focus as the series concludes.

Summary: A Legacy of Excellence

The cast of Power Book III: Raising Kanan has managed to do something rare in the world of TV spin-offs: they have eclipsed the original in terms of pure acting caliber. By humanizing characters that were once seen as villains, actors like Mekai Curtis and Hailey Kilgore have given the Power universe a tragic, operatic depth.

As the show moves toward its final seasons in 2025 and 2026, the Thomas family remains one of the most compelling and terrifying units on television. Whether you are watching for the 90s nostalgia or the high-stakes crime drama, it is the performances of Patina Miller, Omar Epps, and the rest of the ensemble that keep audiences coming back.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About the Raising Kanan Cast

Who plays young Kanan in Power Book III?

Mekai Curtis portrays the young Kanan Stark. He took over the role that was originally played by 50 Cent in the first Power series.

Is Joey Bada$$ still in Raising Kanan?

Yes, Joey Bada$$ plays Unique. Despite his character’s apparent demise in Season 3, he made a surprising return, and his character remains a central part of the unfolding drama in Season 4.

Who is Kanan’s father in the show?

Detective Malcolm Howard, played by Omar Epps, is revealed to be Kanan’s biological father. This secret is a major plot point throughout the first three seasons.

Will there be a Season 5 of Raising Kanan?

Yes, Starz has officially renewed the series for a fifth and final season. It is scheduled to premiere on June 12, 2026.

Are any actors from the original Power in Raising Kanan?

Since it is a prequel set in the 90s, the original actors generally do not appear on screen, with the exception of 50 Cent, who provides the voiceover narration for the series. However, the characters they played (like Jukebox and Kanan) are the main focus of the show.