Fans of the hit series are wondering why Power: Book V was canceled, and what, exactly, happened to the highly anticipated Rashad Tate spinoff.
Viewers are wondering why Power Book V: Influence was canceled by Starz, and what happened to the planned Rashad Tate spinoff. Created by Courtney A. Kemp, in collaboration with Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Power is a six-season crime drama that became one of cable’s most-watched shows. With several powerhouse seasons to its name, Power positioned itself as both a critical and commercial success. In fact, the show was so well-received that it spawned a media franchise. Within the Power universe, there are three spinoffs: Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, and Power Book IV: Force. Unfortunately, the planned Power Book V isn’t joining them.
Although Power came to an end in 2020, Power Book III: Raising Kanan is still airing. However, that spinoff’s 2024 finale will officially close the book on the Power universe — at least for now. The parent show centers on James St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick), a smooth-talking-yet-ruthless drug dealer who tries to balance his involvement in the criminal world with his newfound desire to own and run a nightclub. Known by the alias “Ghost,” St. Patrick weathers shifting economic alliances, all while trying to keep his family intact. In later seasons, and in several spinoffs, politician Rashad Tate (Larenz Tate) becomes one of those obstacles for Ghost.
Power Book II: Ghost May Explain Why Power Book V: Influence Isn’t Happening
The cancelation of Power Book V: Influence was announced in 2022 by Starz, though Kathryn Busby, the network’s then-president of original programming, gave no solid reason as to why. From the outside, the decision is a bit baffling. Aside from the Starz mega-hit Outlander, Power and its three spinoffs are some of the network’s most popular, well-reviewed, and most-watched offerings. With all four Power shows and spinoffs ending by 2024 (Raising Kanan will finish in February 2024), it seems logical to find an in-universe replacement, especially one that centers on an established Power universe character like Rashad Tate.
Interestingly enough, the reason for Power Book V: Influence’s cancelation might stem from one of the franchise’s other installments, Power Book II: Ghost. Driven and ruthless, politician Rashad Tate, who first cropped up in later seasons of the parent show, appears as a member of council in many episodes of Power Book II: Ghost. Although Influence was set to focus more on Rashad’s story, the character’s prominent involvement in Ghost is perhaps enough to satisfyingly close out his arc. In fact, it might better serve Rashad Tate (and the Power universe) to stick with a preexisting installment instead of following through with a whole new series, like Power Book V.
Will There Be More Power Spinoffs?
For viewers wondering how to watch Power and its Book spinoffs in order, the preexisting shows might be all fans have to contend with. Since the cancelation of Influence, Starz hasn’t officially announced any new entries. Deadline has speculated that the network has a London-set Power spinoff in the works, though Busby avoided making any comments that would confirm the theory. “What we love about Power is the potential to… spinoff successfully,” she noted. “…Which in theory, we would love to do again.” For now, fans of Power will just have to see how Power Book III: Raising Kanan wraps up its third and final outing in early 2024.
