‘Power’ returns to STARZ for its fifth season on July 1st.
We had the pleasure to sit down with the stars of the hit show Power, Joseph Sikora, Rotimi Akinsoho as well as Naturi Naughton and La La Anthony. Power returns for its fifth season on July 1st and is looking more eventful than ever before.
After a tragedy struck all the characters at the end of season 4, we jump into season 5 with everyone trying to handle their new emotions and grief. In our exclusive interview, the cast speaks on some of the challenges they have experienced during the filming of season 5.
The Knockturnal: Hi guys, congratulations. Season five looks very eventful. Between your two characters, there’s some obvious power struggle. Can you tell me a little bit about the challenges you guys might’ve had with how your characters changed over time, up to the current season?
Rotimi Akinosho: I think season 5 was a bit of a challenge because I was really trying to still figure out what I want people to see about Dre. This is the first time we get to see his mind, his movement, his intellect, so how I play it – is it more his own man or is he Ghost-like. That took some time to figure out, but I think that dynamic will really show this season.
Joseph Sikora: Tommy has been dealing with a lot of tragedy in his life. A lot of things falling right from underneath his feet. He’s had to consistently reinvent himself. And I think that in season 5 this is the first reinvention of Tommy that hasn’t been the same Tommy that we have seen. So there has been a progression in Tommy. So I think that he’s found his footing and there’s just a much more self-actualized person in season 5.
The Knockturnal: Right, and also in season 4 Tommy meets his dad. How do you think that this emotional baggage may influence his decisions in season 5.
Joseph Sikora: Well I think that to quote the Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson character of Kanan Stark, you know, that’s better than a puppy. That’s going to affect Tommy and I think that would affect anybody. I think that even though you don’t know something is missing, I feel like that’s an extra sense of completion that you find in knowledge. Living in ignorance, you don’t know you’re living in ignorance until you’re not. And I think that’s a big, important part of this season for Tommy.
The Knockturnal: And a question for you, Rotimi. With more screen time, comes more set time. How do you manage to coordinate your music career with your acting career. Which one do you prefer now, what’s more important to you?
Rotimi Akinosho: Now doing season 5, it was literally studio, set, studio, set, so I kind of got rid of sleep really, got rid of partying, unless I was getting paid to be there. So really just focused in on making the best product in both. I mean, music is my passion but being on Power is probably the only show that will still make you feel like a rockstar in the music industry, you know. So it’s a good feeling and I’m getting to learn both really well now.
The Knockturnal: And asking for the ladies out there. Are Tommy and Dre going to get involved in any romantic situations in season 5 or is it strictly business this time? What can we expect?
Rotimi Akinosho: I hope so.
Joseph Sikora: I mean the guy has been working out.
Rotimi Akinosho: We’ll see, I don’t know.
Joseph Sikora: Tommy is always looking for love.
The Knockturnal: Ok, you guys don’t wanna spill the tea. No tea for me. Thank you very much and congratulations again.
The Knockturnal: Hi guys, congratulations on season 5. There’s so much going on, we jump into season 5 right after Raina’s death at the end of the fourth season. You both are moms in real life. Can you tell me if being moms helped you or didn’t help you to portray this grief in season 5?
Naturi Naugton: I just became a mother and definitely while being pregnant I was experiencing a ton of emotions anyway, so it actually did help me connect to the grief and even this season, becoming a new mother, thinking what that loss must feel like – I can’t even fathom. So I think it did actually help to kind of inform the emotional journey that I have to take to be a woman who just lost her daughter.
La La Anthony: Absolutely, I mean, we started this season shooting the funeral scene. We’re in the church, we’re shooting a funeral scene for a child. And as a mom, that’s a really emotional thing. I remember, even on our break, we were sitting down and the vibe was really down. It wasn’t fun for us, and I remember talking to someone and I’m like “I’m shooting a funeral scene for a child, this is deep.” So it took us to a different place, and as a mom it takes you to an even deeper place.
The Knockturnal: Definitely. And also Tasha and LaKeisha’s friendship has been tested in season 4. Can you talk a little bit about what fans can expect this season in terms of this relationship?
Naturi Naugton: I would say this season, season 5, Tasha and LaKeisha’s relationship is strained. It even becomes estranged at points. You know, we’re not as close because of lack of loyalty on my part really. Tasha has been manipulative and using her but also LaKeisha is like rising up to like “oh not, I’m not taking it.” I think we’re both are in different places and the friendships not as strong as it used to be.
La La Anthony: Yeah, I agree. I think both characters are trying to figure out their way. And figuring out their way is causing a lot of separation between the friendship and it’s causing us to question a lot of things in the friendship.
The Knockturnal: And both of your characters are very, very strong females. Which is super important to portray in today’s social climate. Can you talk a little bit about that importance, what does it mean to you to be this strong female on screen?
Naturi Naugton: To play a character that’s strong, that’s complex, that has layers is an honor. Particularly in today’s climate because it showcases women, I think, in all of our glory. We’ve always been complex, we’ve always been strong, we’ve always been great, but as of late there’s a conversation that’s happening right now to really address some of the areas where we haven’t been celebrated. I think it’s a good thing.
La La Anthony: I think it’s great for a woman to look at characters on TV and see pieces of them, and say “I wanna be more like Tasha in this aspect, I wanna be like LaKeisha in this aspect.” It’s a way to motivate women out there to continue to strive to be better and be stronger and then you feel like your character has a purpose and you’re doing a good job.
The Knockturnal: Yeah, that is very important. Thank you guys so much, congratulations again.
