Michael Rainey Jr. Talks ‘Power’ Spinoff, Shocking Fans And The Murders Of Black Americans: ‘It’s Been 400 Years, And We’re Still Going Through The Same Sh*t’

Power and Power Book II Ghost star Michael Rainey Jr. opens up about his breakout role, #BlackLivesMatter, and being nervous at first to step up as the lead actor in the spinoff series: “It’s a way bigger responsibility.”

From being picked up on the street by a talent scout and being cast in an Italian music video, to now being the star of Power Book II: Ghost, this 20-year-old actor has set the tone for himself in Hollywood with his more than a decade-long career.

The actor chatted with The Hollywood Reporter and discussed his role as Tariq St. Patrick, and how the character we used to empathize with became the villain we love to hate. In this spinoff series, “Tariq” is the always-gets-his-way student on campus who, like his late father “Ghost,” “Tariq” doesn’t mind manipulating people for his own benefit. Rainey Jr. says, stepping into the lead role of the show was very overwhelming at first. “It’s a way, way bigger responsibility,” he said. “At first, I was kind of nervous about it, but once I saw some of the familiar crew members, I felt a lot more comfortable,” he continued, referring to the crew members who moved from Power to the spinoff series.

While the fan response to Rainey’s character and the show has been shocking for the actor, he says that’s what makes his job worthwhile and enjoyable. “At first I was like, ‘Damn, this is crazy! What’s wrong with these people?'” Rainey said to the outlet. “But after some time, I realized this is what I do it for — to get a reaction, whether it’s good or bad.”

During the pandemic, Rainey says he’s been mostly spending his time in Jamaica, which he calls his true home. Rainey’s mother’s side of the family are Jamaican nationals, and Rainey recently gained his Jamaican citizenship. But the actor says he’s greatly saddened by the ongoing attacks on Black Americans. “It’s like, damn, when are we ever going to get a break? It’s been 400 years, and we’re still going through the same shit.”

Rainey says that while there are still things that need to be fixed in the world, he is celebrating what he says is shaping up to be a very successful year with the debut of “Power Book II.”