The crime series. The main show is Power, and its subsequent spinoffs include Power Book II: Ghost, Power Book III: Raising Kanan, and most recently, Power Book IV: Force. While various characters crossover from series to series, each standalone Power show features compelling plot twists and rich character development.

The intense conflicts put characters on both sides of the law, giving complexity and depth to the overall narrative. Between the stellar performances and accolades received, the Power universe has built up an engaging world over nearly a decade on air. As the franchise continues to expand, it is worth reflecting on the key characters that drive each gripping story forward and make these shows so engaging. Evaluating the full cast of The Power, a few names stand out as the best the franchise has to offer.

10 Kanan Stark From Power

Played By 50 Cent

Kanan, the ruthless mentor introduced in the original Power series, emerges as the franchise's commanding force. Despite meeting his demise in season 5 via an elaborate plot against him, 50 Cent's Kanan leaves a significant impression with his cold-blooded teachings and criminal mastermind. He molds young Tommy and Ghost into successful drug kingpins, showing them merciless ways to gain profit and power. Even from behind bars, Kanan strategically dismantles their empire.

While Kanan's pupils ultimately overtake him, none can match his dynamic combination of street smarts. He's one of Power's most memorable characters, but his short-lived reign sets him behind others in the universe. Despite this, the entire franchise wouldn't be possible without Kanan since he was the only reason that Ghost and Tommy became as powerful as they became and also led Dre and Tariq to their spots in the world.

9 Tariq St. Patrick From Power Book II: Ghost

Played By Michael Rainey Jr.

On the heels of his father’s death in Power, Tariq proves a cunning heir to Ghost's drug empire in Power Book II: Ghost despite his young age. Initially the most unlikable character in the flagship Power, Tariq evolves into a favorite as he strategically builds his own criminal empire while excelling at the prestigious Stansfield University. He consistently outsmarts seasoned players, even deceiving attorney Davis MacLean into a cut-rate legal deal.

With Power Book II: Ghost season 4 finishing with him as one of the biggest drug dealers in New York City, Tariq will continue to combine his ruthlessness, smarts, and relentless ambition to overcome his dark past. His actions in Power Book II made him one of Power's best characters, but his lesser actions in the original Power hold him back somewhat. What holds him down mostly is his disobedient and impulsive decisions, although that makes him an entertaining character.

8 Davis MacLean From Power Book II: Ghost

Played By Method Man

Method Man plays the quick-witted defense attorney, Davis MacLean, in Power Book II: Ghost, emerging as one of the franchise's most masterful manipulators. The lothario lawyer lives up to his reputation inside the courtroom, using silky charm and sharp intellect to create bulletproof defenses. His ability to elicit confessions and spin offense into reasonable doubt makes him a key power player in the franchise.

With mental capacities bordering on con artistry, MacLean proves that both brains and questionable morals make winning cases look easy. He always engages while on screen, though his dubious morals don't always make him the most likable character. Now, if a person does not have the money or doesn't pay him, things will go bad for them, but as long as the checks keep clearing, there is little chance that anyone he defends will ever end up in prison.

7 Monet Tejada From Power Book II: Ghost

Played By Mary J. Blige

As the leader of the Tejada drug empire in Power Book II: Ghost, Monet Tejada commands respect that no male counterpart can match. She seamlessly toggles between nurturing mother and lethal kingpin, emanating comion and cutthroat instinct with equal intensity. Since her husband's long-term imprisonment, Tejada has run the organization with finesse. She's expanded its status and taught her children to follow in her criminal footsteps.​​

This means she works with Cane, Dru, and Diana to ensure that her empire will always stand successfully. She takes no disrespect from anyone, and she is ruthless, ordering her son Cane to kill her other two kids to ensure she maintains her power (even though the family eventually reconciled). This complex balance of brains, brawn, and moral contradiction creates an unrivaled presence, cementing her place as the Power franchise's top queenpin.

6 Unique From Power Book III: Raising Kanan

Played By Joey Bada$$

Taking the role of Power Book III: Raising Kanan’s ruthless rival kingpin, Unique poses an unpredictable threat to Queenpin Raq’s empire through cerebral strategy and ruthless violence. While he's diplomatic when it suits him, Unique can swiftly shift to vicious brutality when challenged or provoked. His mercurial personality mixes calculating smarts with cold-blooded impulses, making it impossible for him to pin down or fully eliminate.

Joey Badass perfectly plays Unique as a confident person, and his performance raises the character even higher in importance and prestige.

His self-restraint and willingness to unleash carnage make Unique an intriguing enemy within the Power universe. It's hard to root for him at times, but there's no denying that Unique has style. Joey Badass perfectly plays Unique as a confident person, and his performance raises the character even higher in importance and prestige. When he showed up at the end of season 3 to prove he wasn't dead, standing over his brother's body, it was a massive moment for fans of Raising Kanan.

5 Marvin Thomas From Power Book III: Raising Kanan

Played By London Brown

Marvin is one of the top five characters in the Power universe due to his fierce loyalty and humor. While lacking the business savvy or emotional intelligence of his siblings, Raq and Kanan, Marvin relies on intimidation to protect their empire. He is not afraid to show force when necessary. Underneath his impulses, Marvin places undying trust in family above all else. His devotion manifests in a willingness to look away from Raq’s flaws and genuine nurturing of his own troubled daughter.

Marvin’s heart outweighs his mistakes. In the end, such complexity makes this temperamental yet loving uncle Power’s most human character. He is also one of the few characters in the Power Universe who has actually changed for the better throughout the series and various shows. He is loyal, and when he chose to get help to understand his daughter's sexuality, it showed he was willing to become a better man, a better father, and one of the best characters on any Power show.

4 Cane Tejada From Power Book II: Ghost

Played By Woody McClain

As the main muscle for the Tejada drug business in Power Book II: Ghost, Cane shows there's more to him than just being an enforcer. While at first he appears to only be hired to serve his mother, Monet, it becomes clear Cane actually has a soft heart behind his aggressive front. His deep need for family loyalty exposes a vulnerable side beneath his violent exterior. Cane keeps desperately seeking his mother's approval despite her manipulations.

He often shows no tolerance for nonsense, and he remains a predictable and trustable character, one who will always be himself and won't pretend to be something he's not. He is impulsive and isn't as smart as people like Tariq, but he is someone who will get the job done. In the end, Cane remains the most loyal in the series. Seeing the complex man behind the muscle makes Cane a compelling watch and an important Power character.

3 Liliana From Power Book IV: Force

Played By Audrey Esparza

Introduced in Power Book IV: Force, Liliana proves herself to be one of the toughest characters in the franchise. Having escaped danger in New York, Liliana lands in Chicago's ruthless criminal circles, but without any fear. She builds a connection with Tommy but targets him when she believes he’s out to kill her. Liliana also rips off high-level drug dealers without hesitation. On top of her boldness and street smarts, she can handle herself in action.

Power Book IV: Force has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

She is someone who proved herself throughout the show, going from being a simple courier in the first season to a legitimate partner of Tommy. Through her complex mix of comion and merciless instincts, Liliana distinguishes herself by doing what few Power characters dare in order to survive at any cost. She loved the game as much as Tommy, and she was a new family member that he could put his trust in. Her unique edge makes Liliana one of the best characters.

2 James “Ghost” St. Patrick

Played By Omari Hardwick

The central antihero of the original Power series, Ghost stands above the rest for his dynamic complexity. While lacking the depraved violence of Kanan or pure ruthlessness of Tommy, Ghost outpaces them in ambition and intellect. He is ruthless but calculated, and he is both a drug dealer and entrepreneur who wants to leave the criminal life behind. However, Ghost’s confidence leaves an abundance of collateral damage despite his good intentions for the community.

Still, Ghost is the ultimate underdog who started from humble beginnings and who claws his way up the empire ladder through strategic mastery rather than violence alone. Ghost is definitely a character that encapsulates everything compelling about the inner contradictions of Power, and he's almost the best — but he's not quite the best character in the Power universe because, even though he was the first major focus of the show, one person ended up trumping him in most ways.

1 Tommy Eagan From Power

Played By Joseph Sikora

When it comes to being ruthless, no one tops Tommy in the Power world. Though devoted to his loved ones, Tommy turns explosively lethal against his enemies. His kill count says it all, as he has no problem getting rid of traitors and eliminating threats without hesitation. However, Tommy has visions of settling down between his acts of violence. This contrast shows his humanity despite his hair-trigger temper, and he wants to be a better man despite knowing it can never happen.

By balancing empathy and savagery, Tommy emerges as the most compelling antihero in the Power franchise.

Tommy may seem unstable with his willful cruelty, but that wildcard nature keeps viewers on edge. His main dream is to be the biggest drug dealer New York City has ever seen, and his only weakness is his love life, which is what usually brings him down and causes him to falter when he is strong enough to defeat everything else around him. However, by balancing empathy and savagery, Tommy emerges as the most compelling antihero in the Power franchise.