Michael Rainey Jr. isn't afraid of the future as 'Power Book II: Ghost' ends
Michael Rainey Jr.’s reign as a rising drug kingpin on “Power Book II: Ghost” is coming to an end
NEW YORK (AP) — Social media death threats may have been one of the best things to ever happen for Michael Rainey Jr. – professionally, that is.
“When everything started really going crazy, I was like 17, 18. And at first, I’m like, ‘Dang, people crazy, bro!’ I’m like this is just a show,” said the now-23-year-old ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ lead. Whether the threats during the latter part of his tenure on the original megahit series “Power" were literal or in jest, it was indicative of the love-hate relationship fans developed with Tariq, the once-adorable son of drug kingpin James “Ghost” St. Patrick. Tariq eventually followed in his father's footsteps.
“Shout out to the supporters that reacted because y’all helped me build a storyline," said Rainey, a cast member for all six seasons of the original series that ended in 2020. "(Writers) see how the supporters react, and if they get a certain reaction, they literally build off of that in the next script.”
Those scripts and storylines would lay the foundation for the ‘Ghost’ spinoff, premiering in 2020, focusing on Tariq attempting to juggle illegal activity while attending a (fictional) Ivy League school. Viewers' polarized feelings were an indicator that a new “Power” series centered around Tariq was viable.
