Taylor ArdreyUSA TODAY
Updated July 23, 2026, 3:37 p.m. ET
“Power Book III: Raising Kanan” fans are bracing themselves for the show’s conclusion with only a few episodes left until the finale.
Creator Sascha Penn and “Raising Kanan” stars, including leads Mekai Curtis and Patina Miller, spoke about the crime drama at ViewerCon on Saturday, July 18. On the panel, Penn highlighted the show’s impact and the fan investment since its 2021 premiere as part of the “Power” franchise on Starz.
“I think people are so invested in this family and these characters that they’re sort of living and breathing to see what happens to the Thomas family,” he said. “They know how Kanan’s story ends, but what they don’t know is how everybody else’s story ends.”
Penn teased what fans can expect for the remainder of the season, saying that ‘it’s going to be tough.”
“What you can expect is we’re going to answer your questions; no stone will be left unturned. We told a complete story, which we set out to do five years ago,” he said.
‘Raising Kanan’ stars reflect on final season
At ViewerCon, Curtis, who plays Kanan Stark, shed some light on his character’s development in Season 5: “Kanan, this last season more than ever, is understanding the mess he’s made. He’s understanding the role he plays in it,” Curtis says. “It seems as if he’s emotionless and doesn’t care, but I think really what Kanan is experiencing is sheer shock at what’s happening.”
Patina Miller reflected on her role as Raquel “Raq” Thomas, the relentless queenpin and mother of Kanan. Throughout the series, she bumps heads with her son as he tries to stand on his own in the drug game.
“I got to show so many different sides of Raquel. I got to be the nerdy actor who took the script home and was so excited to read it, reread it, map out my relationships,” Miller said on the panel. “The joy that I got from doing this work every day, even when it was the hardest times…I feel so incredibly grateful for this moment.”
When do new episodes of ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ come out?
“Raising Kanan” premieres on Fridays at midnight on the Starz app and the network’s streaming and on-demand platforms. The show airs on linear television at 8 p.m. ET.
‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ Season 5 episode schedule
- Episode 501: “My Blood” 6/12
- Episode 502: “Many Men” 6/19
- Episode 503: “Tricks” 6/26
- Episode 504: “Pawns & Rooks” 7/3
- Episode 505: “School of War” 7/10
- Episode 506: “Dark Matter” 7/24
- Episode 507: TBD 7/31
- Episode 508 (Finale): TBD 8/7
Watch the ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ Season 5 trailer
‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ cast
- MeKai Curtis as Kanan
- Patina Miller as Raquel Thomas
- Joey Bada$$ as Unique
- London Brown as Marvin Thomas
- Malcolm Mays as Lou-Lou Thomas
- Hailey Kilgore as Jukebox
- Tony Danza as Stefano Marchetti
- Shameik Moore as Breeze
- Wendell Pierce as Snaps
- Erika Woods as Pop
- Pardison Fontaine as B-Rilla
- Joe Pantoliano as Pino Bernardi
- Leslie Grossman as Florence ‘Flossie’ Siegel
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@usatodayco.com.
