Older, wiser Rainey shares Power thoughts on series
'I want to show in new season that Tariq is smart kid'
American actor Michael Rainey Jr has not had it easy with fans of hit TV drama Power who love to hate his character Tariq St Patrick.
Many fans have still not forgiven him for the death of his twin sister Raina (Donshea Hopkins) in season four.
After six successful seasons, the crime drama created by Courtney A. Kemp and Curtis Jackson, popularly known by his rap moniker 50 Cent, concluded with the killing of lead character Ghost (Omari Hardwick) by his son Tariq.
To the surprise of many fans a spin-off, Power Book II: Ghost, led by Rainey reprising his role as Tariq, was given the green light.
Rainey promises that the series that premiered on 1Magic in SA on Tuesday will offer audiences a different side of Tariq – more than the spoiled brat many perceived him to be.
“I want everyone to see that Tariq is not as dumb as everyone thinks he is,” Rainey says.
“He’s a smart kid and he’s not a fool at all – he has Ghost in him. That definitely plays a part in his smarts. You get to see the decisions and choices he makes – it shows how smart he is and how he has grown.”
Now 19, he started playing the role when he was 13 in 2014, when Power premiered.
Rainey admits that there is a lot of pressure following in the footsteps of Hardwick.
“There is pressure, but honestly I like it. When I was told that I was going to be a lead for my show it was kind of unreal for me and 50 Cent told me but I thought he was just playing around with me,” Rainey recalls.
“Then two weeks later our showrunner Courtney told me and that’s when it got real for me. The responsible is amazing, I like it and it’s not as hard as I thought it would be.”
Leading lady Naturi Naughton is returning as Tariq’s mom Tasha with new cast members Mary J. Blige and Method Man.
“I feel like I raised the boy myself. He has really grown into a wonderful and talented young man,” Naughton says. “I think he was like 12 or 13 when we started and seven years later it’s surreal to have that opportunity to help foster his talent. He’s killing it as Tariq.”
Rainey explains that the spin-off is more youthful..
“The one thing that it’s going to set this one apart from the original is Tariq is in school and the show’s energy is a lot more youthful and energetic.
“It’s still gritty, like Power and there is still action – but there is a youthful vibe to it. So you get to see Tariq just being a normal kid for once instead of always doing something for his mom, dad or sister.”