Asjha Cooper has joined the cast of Power Book III: Raising Kanan for the show’s fifth and final season, playing a character introduced as Tiana, a call girl working for Flossie Siegel (Leslie Grossman). The July 3 episode revealed that Tiana’s legal name is Jarita, a reveal that will resonate with longtime fans of the Power universe. Cooper will continue as a guest star throughout the remainder of the final season before transitioning to a series regular role on the upcoming Power: Origins.
The character of Jarita was originally played by Tasha Smith in season 2 of the original Power series, where she appeared in three episodes as Kanan’s ex and the mother of his only son, Shawn (Sinqua Walls). She was never seen again after receiving a call from Kanan, who confessed to killing their son. The addition of young Jarita to Raising Kanan gives audiences a deeper look at the woman who plays such a significant role in Kanan’s life.
Cooper was unaware of who she was auditioning for during the casting process. It was only after booking the job that series creator, showrunner, and executive producer Sascha Penn called to explain the character’s significance within the Power universe. Cooper, who had not watched Power, dove into the role by watching footage of Smith’s performances to study how Jarita moved and sounded, while still allowing herself the freedom to find the younger version of the character on her own terms.
In the current season, Kanan (Mekai Curtis) becomes acquainted with Tiana after booking a night with her, knowing she has a connection with his estranged mother Raq (Patina Miller), who has just entered into a new partnership with Flossie and Pino Bernardi (Joe Pantoliano) focused on Manhattan. Flossie’s escorts, including Tiana, now also deliver narcotics to buyers as part of the new arrangement. Over pillow talk the following morning, Tiana begins to open up, sharing details about her life and ultimately revealing her real name to Kanan, a significant act of trust in a world where trust is rarely wise.
Power: Origins, currently in production in New Jersey, will follow young Ghost, Tommy, and Kanan as they rise through the ranks on the streets of New York. The cast includes Spence Moore II as Ghost, Charlie Mann as Tommy, Zuri Reed as Tasha, Mekai Curtis as Kanan, Jason Dirden as Traymont Stinson, Jennifer Ferrin as Kate Egan, Lizzy DeClement, Lenny Platt, Armani Gabriel, Everett Osborne, Kelly McCreary as Officer Melanie Rivers, Hill Harper as Detective Burns, Damon Gupton as Detective Glover Archibald, Tonya Pinkins as Grandma Charlayne, Nadia Dajani as Teresa Boselli, and Dominic Rains as Detective Fred Drexel. The first season will consist of 18 episodes, the largest order in the franchise to date.
Season 5 of Raising Kanan also stars Patina Miller, Shameik Moore, London Brown, Hailey Kilgore, Wendell Pierce, Erika Woods, Tony Danza, and Joe Pantoliano. Sascha Penn serves as showrunner and executive producer on both series, from a pilot co-written by Penn and Courtney Kemp. The Power universe is executive produced by Kemp through End of Episode, alongside Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson through G-Unit Film and Television, Mark Canton, Chris Selak, Kevin Fox, and Pete Chatmon. Lionsgate Television produces the shows for Starz.
Power Book III: Raising Kanan airs Fridays on Starz.