Featured

TSR Exclusive: Michael Rainey Jr. Releases Statement About The End Of ‘Power Book II’

Roommates, it seems like Michael Rainey Jr. wasn’t initially feeling the news about ‘Power Book II: Ghost.’ As we last reported, the show is coming to an end after the forthcoming fourth season.

RELATED: Starz Announces The Cancellation Of THIS ‘Power’ Spin-Off

And the 23-year-old was vocal on Thursday (March 14) about finding out the news online. But he later shared an exclusive statement with The Shade Room expressing his gratitude for the role of Tariq in the ‘Power’ universe.

“Portraying Tariq St. Patrick in the ‘Power’ universe has been an incredible journey. ‘Power’ has been an amazing platform, opening doors for young actors like myself, and I’m truly grateful for that. While the ending of ‘Book II’ may feel abrupt and disappointing, I choose to view it as a stepping stone for many of us as we transition into the next chapter of our careers,”Michael Rainey Jr. said.

See his statement below.

Michael Rainey Jr. Also Revealed How He Found Out About The Show’s Cancellation

As previously reported, Michael Rainey Jr. hopped on live early Thursday to clarify that he learned of ‘Power Book II’s’ cancellation simultaneously as everyone else.

“I found out the same time y’all found out bro. But don’t trip y’all, a lot of new sh*t coming,” he said, adding that he’s writing his own material.

He also promised that he and his ‘Power’ universe co-star Gianni Paolo will be in other projects together.

Watch a snippet of Michael’s live below.

While one door in the ‘Power’ universe is closing, 50 Cent confirmed earlier this week that fans will see the beginning of the Ghost and Tommy bond in a prequel series.

The show hasn’t been cast yet, but we know the new spin-off will be titled ‘Origins.’ It’s unclear if Michael Rainey Jr. will be offered a role in this show.

RELATED:Ghost And Tommy To Reunite In ‘Power’ Prequel

TSR Social Producer Maya M. contributed to this exclusive report.

Cassandra Santiago

Cassandra Santiago is a multimedia journalist, editor, and editorial strategist with over a decade of experience shaping conversations across arts, entertainment, culture, and global news. A graduate of the University of Iowa, she has built a cross-platform career spanning newspapers, magazines, radio, and digital media. She joined The Shade Room five years ago and currently serves as a Senior Editor, where she leads editorial direction, oversees exclusive coverage, and trains and edits a team of writers. Cassandra has played a key role in developing high-impact content and editorial strategies for an audience of more than 30 million, contributing to platform growth, engagement, and monetization across multiple channels. In addition to her leadership role, she remains a daily contributor, with her articles generating more than 41 million views since 2023. Beyond The Shade Room, Cassandra offers freelance social media strategy services, speaks on the influence and impact of Black media at public panels, and owns Did It For You, an event design company in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia area. She is Poynter Institute–certified and was named to the DMV’s 35 Under 35 list in 2024.

x