Mekai Curtis Explains Kanan’s Ending in 'Raising Kanan' and How It Leads Into 'Power: Origins'
The series finale of Starz’s Power Book III: Raising Kanan closes another chapter in the Power franchise, but Mekai Curtis’ time as the younger Kanan Stark is not quite over. With Kanan already known to survive into the original Power series, the finale instead focuses on the experiences that shape the character before Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s era.
Mekai Curtis discusses Kanan’s emotional journey, Raq’s death and how the ‘Raising Kanan’ finale sets up ‘Power: Origins.’
Hailey Kilgore as Jukebox and Mekai Curtis as Kanan.
Starz
One of the biggest moments comes with the death of Raquel “Raq” Thomas (Patina Miller), who is shot and killed by Jukebox (Hailey Kilgore). Raq had served as a surrogate mother to Juke, but Jukebox ultimately sought revenge for her father’s murder at Kanan’s hands.
At a diner, Jukebox tells Kanan that she killed his mother in an effort to remove everyone who cares about him from his life. According to Curtis, Kanan’s reaction represents his growing understanding of everything he has experienced.
“It’s acceptance. That’s the ultimate version of Kanan understanding what Raq taught him at the beginning of the series. Now, more than ever, in Season 5, I think Kanan understands who he is and what he’s done more than ever. When you’ve experienced enough loss and tragedy, there comes a point where you’re going to sit down and just take inventory: you’re going to see where you went wrong, what you did right, where other people went wrong, and how things could have been done differently,” shared Curtis.
Curtis added that Kanan’s acceptance does not mean the loss of his mother hurts any less. Instead, he recognizes the role he played in the events that led to her death.
“Kanan has gotten to have those moments. So, when he finally hears that Mom is gone, he understands. It doesn’t mean it hurts any less, but he understands all the bad he’s done. And for it to be his cousin when he just took out her father, it’s poetic, right? He understands, ‘Okay, I did it.’ It doesn’t mean that I’m proud that I did it, but I did it.”
Kanan and Raq Finally Open Up
Before Kanan learns that Raq is dead, the two meet on a public street to discuss the hit Stefano (Tony Danza) has placed on her, along with other issues between them. The conversation gives the characters an opportunity to open up in a way they had not previously done.
Starz
Curtis said he was not certain the conversation would happen, particularly because Kanan still loves his mother.
“I wasn’t sure that that was a conversation that was going to happen. So I was casting the line in the wind, ‘No, this is still my mother. I still love this person. These characters, this world, and this show could have been flat and stereotypical if we didn’t add these layers that have you ask questions beyond what you’re seeing. It was really fun to finally have that moment to justify the actions of all of the characters leading up to that, especially for me,” Curtis reflected.
The actor also believes Kanan is frequently misunderstood, particularly because of the way the younger version of the character responds to his emotions.
“I feel like Kanan is so misunderstood, especially the younger version of him. You see he’s doing things out of emotion, and he doesn’t know how to articulate himself. But it’s not simply just to be doing it. It’s not simply to ignore the thoughts and the wisdom of the people around him. He’s simply trying to find himself outside of the things that he’s now been shown. He can’t trust in the way that he wants.”
Curtis explained that beneath Kanan’s actions is an inability to properly express his pain while still maintaining his love for his mother.
“You did these things, and it hurt me, and I didn’t know how to say that it hurt me because I was never taught how. But I still love you.”
The complicated relationship between Kanan and Raq ultimately came down to two people who struggled to express their love in a healthy way.
“It was a constant back and forth between Raq and Kanan showing or saying that they love each other, but missing the mark,” he said. “I think they both had different love languages, and they didn’t know how to come together and actually healthily do that until imminent death was in the air.”
The Lesson Curtis Takes From Kanan
After five seasons portraying Kanan in the world of Southside, Jamaica, Queens, Curtis says the biggest lesson he takes from the experience is love.
“The lesson is love for me. Not to get all preachy about it, but love is patient. It’s kind. It’s giving space when you need it. It’s letting that person come back when they’re ready. It’s ugly. It’s nasty, and that’s everything that you see happen with these characters on the show, but that’s also everything that’s happened behind the scenes,” said Curtis.
He also highlighted the environment created behind the scenes and how it helped the cast bring greater vulnerability to their characters.
“I think there’s a rare level of vulnerability and safety that was fostered on this set that allowed us to translate with these characters even more. The lesson for me is: keep your heart open. Keep your heart guarded, but always be open and ready for the things that are around you. Be ready to receive, be ready to give,” he added.
How ‘Raising Kanan’ Leads Into ‘Power: Origins’
Curtis has already completed work on the first season of Power: Origins, a new prequel series that continues the story established in Raising Kanan. Both shows come from creator Sascha Penn.
Spence Moore (“Ghost”), Charlie Mann (“Tommy”), and Mekai Curtis (“Kanan Stark”).
Starz
The series will reunite young James St. Patrick (Spence Moore II) and young Tommy Egan (Charlie Mann) with young Kanan. Teen versions of James and Tommy appeared during the Raising Kanan finale, played by Maxwell Davis and Andrew Bennett, respectively.
At around 13 years old, James and Tommy attempted to work with Kanan, although Kanan had clear limits when it came to the two boys.
Curtis says that dynamic is one of his favorite parts because it creates the connection that carries into Origins.
“That honestly is my favorite part because that is the crossroads that carries through into Origins. You can still see a slight shred of care. Kanan sees himself in these two kids, and while it is exciting, he’s like, “Oh, we can get into all the things.’ It’s still like, ‘Nah, they’re still too young. I’m not gonna be the person that exposes you to whatever is going to bring you back here. We get to see how he still kind of cares and nurtures them in Origins.”
