When the original Power ended, one character’s story was far from over. Tariq St. Patrick stepped into the spotlight, and with him came a new generation of players in the Power universe. Across four seasons and 40 episodes, the cast of Power Book II: Ghost evolved considerably — from the core Tejada family to guest appearances by Power legends. Michael Rainey Jr. anchored the series as Tariq in every season (Wikipedia (TV series database)). Here’s a complete breakdown of who played whom, how the cast shifted, and what the cancellation means for the ensemble.

Total seasons: 4 · Total episodes: 40 · Original network: Starz · Premiere date: September 6, 2020 · Finale date: October 4, 2024 · Main cast size: 10

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact salary figures for cast members remain unconfirmed
  • Future of Power Book II: Ghost characters in other spin-offs
  • Whether a season 5 script was fully written
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Spin-offs Power Book III: Raising Kanan and Power Book IV: Force continue
  • No immediate plans for Tariq’s story in another series
  • Cast members are pursuing other projects across TV and film

Six facts that define the show’s production footprint:

Attribute Details
Creator Courtney Kemp, 50 Cent
Production companies Endeavor Content, CBS Studios, G-Unit Film & Television
Original release September 6, 2020 – October 4, 2024
Number of seasons 4 (40 episodes)
Average runtime 60 minutes
IMDb rating 7.5/10 (IMDb (user ratings database))

The implication: these production specs give the series a measurable benchmark alongside other Starz dramas.

Who is the cast of Power Book 2 season 2?

Main cast of Power Book II: Ghost season 2

Supporting cast in season 2

  • Alix Lapri as Effie Morales (joins in season 2) (Power Universe Wiki (fan wiki))
  • Paige Hurd as Lauren Baldwin (TV Guide (TV listings and cast database))
  • Daniel Bellomy as Ezekiel ‘Zeke’ Cross (Wikipedia (TV series database))
  • Shane Johnson as Cooper Saxe (Power Universe Wiki (fan wiki))

Guest stars in season 2

Bottom line: Season 2 solidified the Tejada family as the new power center, adding Effie and deepening the web of loyalty and betrayal — forcing Michael Rainey Jr.’s Tariq to navigate an even more treacherous landscape.

Why was Power Book II cancelled?

Official cancellation announcement

Starz confirmed in October 2024 that Power Book II: Ghost would end with its fourth season, reversing earlier plans for a fifth season (Wikipedia (TV series database)). The finale aired on October 4, 2024.

Reasons for cancellation

  • Shifting network priorities and budget considerations played a role.
  • Ratings declined in later seasons compared to the original Power.
  • Starz chose to focus on other expanding franchises.

Planned season 5 reversal

Creator Courtney Kemp and executive producer 50 Cent both expressed disappointment. 50 Cent said publicly, “I wanted 5 seasons but Starz didn’t agree.” The cast had already begun preparing for a fifth year of filming.

The trade-off

The cancellation freed the main cast to explore new projects, but it also left the Tejada family arc unfinished — a risk for any spin-off that relies on audience attachment to characters like Monet and Cane.

The pattern: Starz made a strategic bet on other properties, leaving Tariq’s story without a planned conclusion.

Is Ghost alive in Power Book 2?

Ghost’s fate in the original Power series

James St. Patrick, known as Ghost, was killed in the season 6 finale of the original Power series. He does not appear alive in Power Book II: Ghost (Wikipedia (original Power series entry)).

Mentions of Ghost in Power Book II: Ghost

  • Characters frequently reference Ghost’s legacy and choices.
  • Tariq wrestles with his father’s shadow throughout the series.

Flashbacks and references

Ghost appears only in archival footage or through character memories, never as a living presence. Omari Hardwick did not film new material for the spin-off.

Why this matters

By keeping Ghost dead, the show forced Tariq to own his decisions — no safety net, no parent to save him. That made the cast’s performances more critical, particularly Michael Rainey Jr.’s ability to carry the emotional weight alone.

Who plays Ghost in Power season 4?

Omari Hardwick as Ghost

Omari Hardwick portrayed James ‘Ghost’ St. Patrick in all six seasons of the original Power. His performance earned him critical acclaim and a reported salary of $100,000–$150,000 per episode (Wikipedia (original Power series entry)).

Ghost’s role in Power season 4

In season 4 of the original series, Ghost navigated the fallout from his split with Tommy Egan and his deepening involvement in politics — a narrative peak for Hardwick’s character.

Other cast members in season 4

  • Joseph Sikora as Tommy Egan
  • Naturi Naughton as Tasha St. Patrick
  • 50 Cent as Kanan Stark
  • Lela Loren as Angela Valdes
Bottom line: Hardwick’s Ghost remains the franchise’s gravitational center, even in absence. His salary expectations set a high bar for the spin-off cast, including Michael Rainey Jr. who inherited the lead role.

Who was the highest paid actor on Power?

Salary estimates for main cast

  • Omari Hardwick reportedly earned $100,000–$150,000 per episode on the original Power.
  • 50 Cent earned both as an actor and executive producer.
  • Mary J. Blige’s salary for Power Book II: Ghost was estimated at $50,000 per episode.
  • Michael Rainey Jr. saw pay increases across seasons.

Comparison with Power Book II: Ghost cast

No official salary figures have been confirmed for the spin-off cast. The show’s lower production budget likely meant smaller per-episode pay than the original series.

Highest earner overall

Given his dual role as actor and executive producer, 50 Cent likely earned the most from the Power franchise overall. Omari Hardwick remains the highest-paid regular cast member in the original series.

The catch

Without official disclosures, all salary numbers are speculative. The unconfirmed nature of these figures highlights the industry’s opacity around spin-off compensation, leaving fans guessing about what Michael Rainey Jr. actually earned as the lead.

The cast roster shifted each season — here’s who stayed and who joined.

Actor Character Seasons Status
Michael Rainey Jr. Tariq St. Patrick 1–4 Main
Mary J. Blige Monet Stewart Tejada 1–4 Main
Gianni Paolo Brayden Weston 1–4 Main
Woody McClain Cane Tejada 1–4 Main
Lovell Adams-Gray Dru Tejada 1–4 Main
LaToya Tonodeo Diana Tejada 1–4 Main
Alix Lapri Effie Morales 2–4 Main
Caroline Chikezie Noma Asaju 4 Main
Michael Ealy Don Carter 4 Main
Naturi Naughton Tasha St. Patrick 1 (recurring later) Recurring
Shane Johnson Cooper Saxe 1–3 Recurring
Paige Hurd Lauren Baldwin 1–3 Recurring

The pattern: the core Tejada siblings remained constant, while season 4 introduced two new main cast members to inject fresh conflict.

Timeline: Cast changes across seasons

  • — Power Book II: Ghost premieres with the core Tejada cast plus Tariq (Rotten Tomatoes (aggregated critic and audience ratings)).
  • — Season 1 concludes; season 2 greenlit with expanded cast including Alix Lapri (Power Universe Wiki (fan wiki)).
  • — Season 2 airs; introduces new characters like Noma and Zeke (Wikipedia (TV series database)).
  • — Season 3 premieres; Lovell Adams-Gray and Paige Hurd depart.
  • — Season 4 (final season) airs; Caroline Chikezie and Michael Ealy join as main cast (Rotten Tomatoes (aggregated critic and audience ratings)).

Confirmed facts

  • The show ended after four seasons in October 2024 (Wikipedia (TV series database))
  • Michael Rainey Jr. played Tariq St. Patrick in all seasons (Rotten Tomatoes (aggregated critic and audience ratings))
  • Mary J. Blige portrayed Monet Stewart Tejada (Power Universe Wiki (fan wiki))

What’s unclear

  • Exact salary figures for cast members remain unconfirmed
  • Future of Power Book II: Ghost characters in other spin-offs
  • Whether a season 5 script was fully written

Key perspectives from the cast and crew

“I wanted 5 seasons but Starz didn’t agree.”

— 50 Cent (executive producer) on the cancellation

“We told the story we wanted to tell in 4 seasons.”

— Courtney Kemp (creator) on the series ending

“Tariq’s growth across these seasons has been incredible — he’s not the same scared kid from season 1.”

— Michael Rainey Jr. on his character’s arc

For fans of the Power universe, the cancellation means the Tejada family arc stops here — but with spin-offs like Raising Kanan and Force still running, Tariq’s story may yet find another chapter. The cast of Power Book II: Ghost delivered one of the most compelling ensemble performances in recent cable drama, and Michael Rainey Jr.’s next move will be worth watching.

Additional sources

starzpower.fandom.com

For a more detailed cast overview, check out this detailed cast overview which breaks down each actor’s role and background in the series.

Frequently asked questions

Who plays Tariq St. Patrick in Power Book II: Ghost?

Michael Rainey Jr. plays Tariq St. Patrick. He has been the lead actor in all four seasons.

How many seasons of Power Book II: Ghost are there?

The series ran for four seasons, totaling 40 episodes, from September 2020 to October 2024.

Is Mary J. Blige in Power Book II: Ghost?

Yes, Mary J. Blige portrays Monet Stewart Tejada, a main character throughout all seasons.

Does Ghost appear in Power Book II: Ghost?

Ghost (James St. Patrick) does not appear alive. He is only referenced or shown in flashbacks.

What is Power Book II: Ghost about?

The series follows Tariq St. Patrick as he navigates college, the drug trade, and his family’s legacy after his father’s death.

Why did Power Book II: Ghost end?

Starz canceled the series after four seasons, despite earlier plans for a fifth, citing shifting priorities.

Who created Power Book II: Ghost?

The series was created by Courtney Kemp and 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson).

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