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 don’t 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 I’m humbled because it didn’t have to go this way but it did.
The Knockturnal: And like you said, there’s so many shows that don’t make it to six seasons, unfortunately, but when did you realize the show was a hit?
Naturi Naughton: Yeah, it’s funny because season one—I 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, there’s music, and 50 and sexy. I love the show. I was a fan before I was even cast in it but it wasn’t 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 that’s when I knew oh, we’re really doing big things, we’re 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 I’m wondering what it was like to build that character throughout the series. She’s so strong, she’s so selfless. So can you just talk about the process of portraying her?
Naturi Naughton: Oh my goodness, this year I have been portraying Tasha’s strength and how much she is willing to do whatever for her family. She’s such a complex woman and mother. This season you’ll see the ride or die mother she is. All the other seasons I feel like she’s been the ride or die wife. Now Tasha becomes the ride or die mama. And that’s when you’ll really see the depths that she will go. And this character is full of levels and layers and I just can’t wait for people to see how authentic she’s going to become.
The Knockturnal: Was there anything about her that surprised you this season?
Naturi Naughton: Oh absolutely. Tasha’s grimey. She’s a little grimey. And I was like are you that grimey though girl. I was reading the script like, is that we’re doing? But she’s a survivor. I mean, at the end of the day you can judge her, you can like her, love her, hate her, that’s 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. I’m still shocked. I’m 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 there’s this place where there’s no turning back for you when you make a decision and Tasha’s at that place. She doesn’t 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, she’s a survivor. And one of the things, because everyone has their own reason for loving the show, but I’m 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 don’t really dilute or sugar coat or water down anything. Like if somebody’s getting shot in the head, they’re 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 they’re 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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