Naturi Naughton sat down with us to share her reflection of playing Tasha in the hit show, Power in addition to some of the things to expect during this upcoming finale season.
Season six, set to air August 25, is full of surprises, and Naughton’s character Tasha is no exception. Naturi warns us of Tasha’s “grimey” behavior and how it left her stunned.
The Knockturnal: How are you feeling right now?
Naturi Naughton: I feel great. I feel like we did it. We accomplished something that a lot of shows donโt accomplish. Six seasons of a hit show, six seasons of working with some of the most amazing actors and people that are really like my friends now has been amazing. I grew up a lot on this show. I started the show at [age] 29 and I became a mother on this show. So really I just feel a sense of gratitude and also Iโm humbled because it didnโt have to go this way but it did.
The Knockturnal: And like you said, thereโs so many shows that donโt make it to six seasons, unfortunately, but when did you realize the show was a hit?
Naturi Naughton: Yeah, itโs funny because season oneโI always felt like it was going to be great and I believed in it when I first read the first episode. I was like, this is going to be dope. And it shoots in New York City, thereโs music, and 50 and sexy. I love the show. I was a fan before I was even cast in it but it wasnโt until season three. Season three was the turning point for us. We broke all kinds of records, we became the highest rated show on the network, we were one of the highest on premium cable period right behind HBO Game of Thrones. It just felt like season three solidified our place! And thatโs when I knew oh, weโre really doing big things, weโre gonna be here for a while. So then I sat down and said ok, I can get comfortable and kick off my shoes and relax and enjoy this.
The Knockturnal: To me, Tasha is one of the most resilient characters in the series.
Naturi Naughton: She is.
The Knockturnal: And Iโm wondering what it was like to build that character throughout the series. Sheโs so strong, sheโs so selfless. So can you just talk about the process of portraying her?
Naturi Naughton: Oh my goodness, this year I have been portraying Tashaโs strength and how much she is willing to do whatever for her family. Sheโs such a complex woman and mother. This season youโll see the ride or die mother she is. All the other seasons I feel like sheโs been the ride or die wife. Now Tasha becomes the ride or die mama. And thatโs when youโll really see the depths that she will go. And this character is full of levels and layers and I just canโt wait for people to see how authentic sheโs going to become.
The Knockturnal: Was there anything about her that surprised you this season?
Naturi Naughton: Oh absolutely. Tashaโs grimey. Sheโs a little grimey. And I was like are you that grimey though girl. I was reading the script like, is that weโre doing? But sheโs a survivor. I mean, at the end of the day you can judge her, you can like her, love her, hate her, thatโs up to you, but she will survive and she will make sure her kids survive. So at the end of the day, I think Tasha has some moments towards the end of the season where I was very shocked. Iโm still shocked. Iโm sitting here thinking about it like, are they really gonna let her do this? Because she becomes dangerous even in her own mind and I think thereโs this place where thereโs no turning back for you when you make a decision and Tashaโs at that place. She doesnโt care what anybody says or does. She is going to do whatever she can to protect herself and to protect her son.
The Knockturnal: Like you said, sheโs a survivor. And one of the things, because everyone has their own reason for loving the show, but Iโm curious, from your point of view, what do you think is the number one thing that draws these fans and makes the show resonate with viewers?
Naturi Naughton: I think the number one thing that resonates with our fans, I think how raw the show is. We donโt really dilute or sugar coat or water down anything. Like if somebodyโs getting shot in the head, theyโre really getting shot in the head and you see it like too graphically. The sex is so amazing and real to the point where people feel like theyโre really having sex. Not us but the people who are watching. The death scenes and the authenticity and the rawness of the show. It’s so New York. So if you’re watching it to live a fantasy, then you might want to change the channel, but if you’re watching it to get the real-real, you’re going to be locked in. And the show does a great job of giving the most authentic version of what a Power world would be like in New York.
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