Production Begins on Starz Series Power, 50 Cent to Take Role

The Starz original drama “Power” began production this week on an eight hour-long episode first season. Set in modern day New York, the series will film in and around the city’s five boroughs, making it a major character throughout the season.

Executive Producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson has been added to the cast in the recurring role of Kanan, an old friend of James “Ghost” St. Patrick’s.

“Power” tells the story of wealthy New York City nightclub owner, James “Ghost” St. Patrick, who caters to the city’s elite. He wants to build an empire, turn the club into a Fortune 500 business, but there’s just one problem: he is living a double life. When he is not in the club, he is the kingpin of the most lucrative drug network in New York for a very high-level clientele. His marriage, family and business all become unknowingly threatened as he is tempted to leave his criminal life behind and become the rags-to-riches businessman he wants to be most of all.

The series is created by Courtney Kemp Agboh (“The Good Wife”), who will serve as executive producer and showrunner. Mark Canton (300, Immortals, 300: Rise of an Empire), Randall Emmett (End of Watch, 2 Guns, Lone Survivor) and David Knoller (?Big Love,” “Carnivàle?) also serve as executive producers. The series is being produced in association with CBS Television Studios.

The cast is led by Omari Hardwick, who is joined by Lela Loren, Naturi Naughton and Joseph Sikora. Hardwick stars as main character James “Ghost” St. Patrick; Loren plays Angela Valdes, an old flame of James’s who unexpectedly reenters his life; Naughton will play Tasha St. Patrick, wife, confidant and willing accomplice to James and Sikora plays Tommy Egan, childhood best friend and business partner to “Ghost.”

Rounding out the cast are Andy Bean as Greg, Sinqua Walls as Shawn, Adam Huss as Kantos, Greg Serano as Medina, Lucy Walters as Holly, Kathrine Narducci as Lavaro, Luis Antonio Ramos as Ruiz, La La Anthony as LaKeisha, Elizabeth Röhm as Cynthia, J.R. Ramirez as Julio, Debbi Morgan as Estelle, Shane Johnson as Saxe, Enrique Murciano as Lobos, Vinicius Machado as Nomar, Dominic Colon as Anibal, J.P. Serret as Sabueso and Audrey Esparza as Liliana.

The series is expected to premiere on STARZ in 2014. Starz retains all global distribution and home entertainment rights to the series.