‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’ Season 5 Trailer Reveals: Raq Is Back

Power Book III: Raising Kanan fans have been waiting at the edge of their seats since the Season 4 finale cliffhanger to discover if the titular Kanan Stark (Mekai Curtis) killed his mother, Raq Thomas (Patina Miller). Wait no more.

The first trailer for the fifth and final season of the hit Starz crime drama answers that question: Raq is back. Raising Kanan premieres on Friday, June 12, with new episodes streaming weekly on Fridays via Starz.

“If you didn’t hate me before, you’re gonna hate me now,” Kanan says in a voiceover at the beginning of the trailer, setting up what appears to be a brutal end to the Power prequel series created by Sascha Penn and executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.

The trailer gives a sneak peek at Kanan and Breeze’s (Shameik Moore) new business partnership and their alliance with Snaps (Wendell Pierce) and Pop (Erika Woods), Breeze’s aunt and uncle. While Raq did survive, there are plenty of people who want her dead and gone.

“You ain’t never have an enemy like me, Kanan,” Raq says in the trailer.

Kanan replies, “I’ve had you as an enemy my whole life.”

There’s also a conversation between Kanan and Stefano Marchetti (Tony Danza) where they’re discussing how “things with her could get messy.” It’s implied they’re talking about Raq, as a photo of her flashes in the trailer. However, he could technically be discussing another “her.”

Either way, Kanan tells Marchetti, “Do what you gotta do.”

Marchetti responds, “I plan on it.”

With all these different wars going on, it will be interesting to see who survives, especially those who will move on to Power: Origins. At minimum, we know Kanan lives well into the original Power series, where he was played by Jackson. It has also already been confirmed that Curtis is part of the Power: Origins cast, joining young Ghost (Spence Moore II) and Tommy (Charlie Mann), who are ambitious young entrepreneurs on the rise, determined to make their mark on the streets of New York City. 

Official Season 5 storyline from Starz:

Kanan’s journey over the last four seasons of Raising Kanan has been fraught with ambition, betrayal, and relentless attempts to escape his mother’s shadow. He once looked up to Raq, eager to join her empire, but he soon learned the truth about who she really was and the secrets she was hiding from him. Forced to confront this web of lies, Kanan faced an existential crisis of self-discovery and emerged stronger and more resolute than ever. Although he embraced his true self and broke free from his mother’s influence, he still couldn’t let her crimes go unanswered. 

In Season 5, Kanan’s true ruthlessness takes shape. He knows exactly who he is and who he must become to defeat his enemies. As his relationship with Raq reaches a point of no return, and any chance of reconciliation becomes a distant memory, war is inevitable. Kanan solidifies his place in the Queens drug game alongside Breeze, the Southside legend, and their alliance sets the stage for a reckoning that will ripple through every player in this dangerous business.

Many sacrifices will be made, whether it’s the Thomas family facing the collapse of their reign, Unique (Joey Bada$$) fighting to preserve his legacy, or the Mafia maneuvering behind the scenes. However, nothing will stand in the way of Kanan’s pursuit of power. After all, this isn’t the end for Kanan Stark. It’s just the beginning.

Watch the trailer above and view one more photo of Miller as Raq and new key art below.