8 January 2021
What you need to know about Power Book II: Ghost, now streaming
If you haven’t already streamed all six seasons of Ghost, do it now here. Then stream this spin-off series that is set days after the Season 6 finale. What’s it all about? What do you need to know? And why are you going to love it? Let us count the ways…
Warning: This article contains spoilers about Power S1-6.
1. Familiar faces, more drama
The producers have kept the cast the same, while expanding the drama. Michael Rainey Jr returns as Tariq St Patrick, the teenage son of gangster James St Patrick aka Ghost (Omari Hardwick) and Tasha (Naturi Naughton). He’s trying to explore the big bad world out there that’s waiting to eat him up, especially because he is nothing like his drug-pedalling criminal old man. Instead, he has a new challenge to focus on: graduating – because it holds the key to his future.
Expect to see more familiar faces from the Power world, like Victor Garber as Ghost’s ex-business partner Simon Stern and Mark Feuerstein as politician Steven Ott, while also introducing new talent like and Melanie Liburd as troublemaker Carrie Milgram.
2. There’s more to come
Only the first five episodes are available right now – blame the COVID-19 pandemic that caused chaos by shutting down productions around the world for most of 2020. Don’t stress though – not only was Power Book II: Ghost renewed for a second season after just two episodes, there are still at least another four episodes coming soon to finish up Season 1, bringing the total to nine episodes and an expanded episode count for the second season.
3. What’s the deal with Tasha and Tariq?
Drama is the name of the game, because his mama has got a load of drama and she’s totally skint. So while Tasha is hiring the best of the best lawyers to get her out of trouble, Tariq is the one scrambling to fund her mounting legal fees. Why is the varsity student so willing to pay his mother’s debts? Remember when we told you to binge Power?
SPOILER ALERT! Tariq ordered his dad’s assassination, while Tasha took the fall to protect her son. She’s been around the block and can take care of herself in prison, so keeping Tariq “innocent” ensures her longevity.
“This show is not Power. It’s not Power Season 7,” says co-creator Courtney Kemp. “Power Book II is really about Ghost’s absence and about how his shadow looms over everyone – especially his son. Tariq has a very millennial energy and penchant for calling people out on their BS. If fans of Power get to know this version of Tariq, who is confused and alone and has so much pressure on his shoulders, they will see that all he’s trying to do is survive, which couldn’t be more relatable.”
4. Watch out for the cameos
Famous faces will be leading the action – and many of them are musicians. Okay, so we know that rapper 50 Cent (remember his hit In Da Club?) was an executive producer on Power, as well as playing criminal genius Kanan Stark (who hated the St Patrick family and wanted to make them suffer at every turn). He could reprise his role for a couple of cameo episodes, but upfront fans will recognize rapper-turned-actor Method Man (part of ’90s rap group Wu-Tang Clan) as demanding high-power attorney Davis Maclean who wants $500 000 before he’ll even talk to Tariq, and RnB singer Mary J Blige (2002 song No More Drama) as vicious, protective mother Monet Stewart Tejada who wants to replace Tasha as crime queenpin.
Original African stories by local talent
Empini S1
Stream the Showmax Original drama series Empini from 23 May 2024.
Original Sin: My Son The Killer
Original Sin: My Son The Killer follows the murder of Andrea Venter by Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, who then went on the run from South Africa to Brazil.
Tracking Thabo Bester
From the makers of Devilsdorp and the director of Convict Conman comes the true-crime documentary South Africa has been waiting for. All the episodes are streaming on Showmax.
The Illuminated
The Showmax Original docuseries The Illuminated explores different religious movements in South Africa. Stream now, with new episodes every Wednesday.
Koek S1
The crime comedy Koek, starring Cindy Swanepoel, now streaming on Showmax, with new episodes every Thursday.
Ekhaya Backpackers S1
Stream the Showmax Original comedy series Ekhaya Backpackers. All the episodes are now streaming.
Cheta M
Cheta M explores the love story between Adanna and Nnanna, young lovers who battle the spiritual and political forces in their way. Stream now, with new episodes Wednesday to Friday.
Youngins S1
Stream Tshedza Pictures’s first teen drama, Showmax Original Youngins, with three new episodes every week.
The Roast of Minnie Dlamini: The roast everyone's been waiting on
Empini, coming soon
More Mzansi gold
The Mommy Club Season 2 Episode 10 recap: Getting to the bottom of it
In episode 10 of The Mommy Club S2, Hermajesty and Mrs Sande go head-to-head and Nozipho confides in Mrs Mops. New episodes land every Monday on Showmax.
The Real Housewives of Durban S4: Nonku and Slee’s friendship is dead and buried
In the finale episode of The Real Housewives of Durban S4, all is laid on the table at the ladies’ dinner. All episodes are now streaming on Showmax.
MaBlerh to host The Real Housewives of Durban reunion for the second year in a row
MaBlerh to host The Real Housewives of Durban reunion for the second year in a row. The two-part reunion will stream on 15 May and 22 May 2024.
Your initiation into the cool, chaotic world of Wyfie
Feel like we’re almost at midterms but you stopped going to class after you skipped a couple of lectures? Let’s swot up on Episodes 1-24 of Showmax Original Wyfie.