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Power, Starz’ hit drama that will enter its sixth and final season Aug. 25, has announced its “first of several” spinoff series: Power Book II: Ghost.
Creator Courtney A. Kemp and executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson made the announcement during the Television Critics Association summer tour on Friday before introducing the star of the forthcoming series: Mary J. Blige.
“When thinking about the next chapter of Power, I had to bring someone big,” Jackson said. “So, what I brought is an iconic, Grammy Award-winning singer, songstress and actress. One of the defining voices of contemporary music.”
“This is probably going to be the most exciting thing that will happen to me this year,” Blige said as she joined the stage. “I’ve known so many Tashas, I’ve known so many Ghosts. I’ve dated so many Ghosts. I’m a huge fan for life, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it.”
The announcement came after questions were raised about the potential spinoff series. Jackson, Kemp and Starz’ president of programming, Carmi Zlotnik, alluded that Power’s final season would not be in the last in the series’ “cinematic universe.”
“As you all know, season six will bring the first chapter of this incredible series to a conclusion, but as we’ve said before, this is truly just the beginning,” Zlotnik said.
Power Book II: Ghost “will continue the journey of some of Power’s’ most controversial characters,” Jackson revealed on stage. It is expected to air next summer.
RELATED: Starz Gives Fans Glimpse at Final Season of ‘Power’
Starz also announced that the final season will be released in two parts. The first 10 episodes will launch as scheduled on Aug. 25; however, the show will then take a break before returning for the five final episodes in early January 2020. Starz also is launching a behind-the-scenes aftershow called Power Confidential that will air after every episode of the final season.
Power returns for “the final betrayal” Aug. 25 on Starz.