Mekai Curtis, the talented actor who portrays the young Kanan Stark in Power Book III: Raising Kanan, has quickly become one of the most promising young stars in Hollywood. The series, a prequel to Starz’s hit show Power, delves into the early life of Kanan Stark, the character originally played by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.
Raising Kanan explores the formative years of Stark as he navigates the challenges of growing up in a tough neighborhood while becoming involved in the world of drugs and crime. Curtis’s portrayal of Kanan, a character struggling between family loyalty and the temptation of the streets, has earned him widespread acclaim, establishing him as a rising star to watch in the entertainment industry.
“It’s been a journey,” Curtis says in our exclusive interview about his growing career. “I am happy I have been able to take on such a role.”
But what makes Curtis’s journey even more fascinating is how he’s been able to immerse himself into the 90s era despite being born in 2000. Through Raising Kanan, Curtis experiences a world he just missed by a year. “I say I missed it by a year,” Curtis jokes. “So I’m getting to vicariously live some of my 90s dreams. A lot of my favorite TV shows and movies, and music came from that time. So getting to recreate the essence of what that was is really fun.”
Curtis finds the authenticity of the show’s setting most fascinating. “There’s such a thoroughness in terms of the way we talk, the certain vernacular and the certain vocabulary. Even down to the trash that litters the streets,” he shares, giving a shoutout to the show’s prop department and set decorators. It’s that dedication to detail that allows Curtis to bring Kanan Stark’s story to life.
The series focuses on Kanan’s relationships with his family, particularly his mother, Raquel “Raq” Thomas, played by Patina Miller, who is a powerful drug queenpin, and his struggles with the lure of the criminal world. Curtis’s portrayal of Kanan is nuanced, exemplifying a young man torn between loyalty to his mother, who provides him with everything he needs, and his desire to carve out his own identity in a world of crime and violence. Kanan’s internal conflict is a central theme of the show, and Curtis brings an impressive depth to the character, making him both relatable and complex.
In Power, Kanan Stark is known for being a key player and is portrayed as a ruthless and cunning drug dealer. In the prequel, audiences are introduced to a younger, more innocent version of Kanan, one who is still grappling with the world around him. Curtis’s portrayal is a delicate balance between vulnerability and strength, capturing the internal battle of a young man trying to navigate a world that is pushing him toward criminality while still holding onto his humanity.
One of the most striking aspects of Curtis’s performance is how he conveys Kanan’s evolution from a naive teenager into a more hardened individual. As the show progresses, viewers witness his growing awareness of the dangers around him, especially as he starts to understand the full extent of his mother’s dangerous lifestyle. Curtis masterfully captures the conflicting emotions Kanan experiences—love for his family, resentment toward the streets that seem to be his only escape, and the anger he feels toward the betrayal he faces. This complexity makes Curtis’s version of Kanan Stark compelling to watch and adds depth to a character who could have easily been one-dimensional.
Before landing the iconic role in Raising Kanan, Curtis appeared in several other notable projects. His previous work includes roles in shows like The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia and Kirby Buckets, where his performances caught the attention of both audiences and industry professionals alike. Curtis’s range and ability to embody complex characters laid the foundation for his breakthrough role as Kanan Stark.
The New Jersey native’s passion for acting began at a young age. Growing up in the culturally rich environment of the East Coast, Curtis found his way to the stage early on, participating in community theater productions and honing his craft. His innate talent was apparent from the start, and he eventually made the leap into professional acting.
For Curtis, a combination of his upbringing and the support his family and friends have poured into him over the years has helped the young star transition from being a Disney actor on shows such as Milo Murphy’s Law to taking on the gritty roles we see him play today.
“In certain moments you need grace and community from other people,” Curtis says. “I’ve been put on this earth to be creative and to share whatever these gifts God has given me. Honestly, when you get that sort of motivation, even if you want to quit, it’s going to keep you going regardless.”
The stage is set for an even brighter future in Hollywood for Curtis. His ability to bring vulnerability, strength, and depth to his characters has garnered praise from critics and fans alike. As Raising Kanan continues to gain popularity, the series has been renewed for Season 5, which Curtis said has already been filmed.
Although the conversation about how and to whom Hollywood gives recognition and awards is always a topic when it comes to Black-led projects, Curtis learned early on how to embrace his success without the accolades.
“I think what I understood very early on doing this show and this project is that it’s for the culture, it’s for the people. So when the culture and the people are the ones telling you, ‘I’m rocking with you. We see what you’re doing.’ That’s all that matters… the rest is auxiliary.” Curtis’s role as Kanan Stark has positioned him as one of the most exciting young actors in Hollywood today. As his career continues to grow, there’s little doubt that Curtis will continue to shine on our screens. For now, fans of Raising Kanan will eagerly await the next chapter in Kanan’s story, knowing that Curtis will continue to bring his unique energy and talent to the role.
Check out the full interview.
Editor-in-Chief: Eric Keith
Photographer: J. Monroe of Monroe Media
Lighting: Saxum Studios
Stylist: Jasmine Woolfork
Styling Assistant: Aisya Washington
Videographer: Cherrelle Crews
Groomer: Johnny Castellanos
Interviewer: Kyle Price
