Starz(LOS ANGELES) — With the highly anticipated return of Power this Sunday night, fans understandably have a lot to say when it comes to what should happen this season.
After the shocking death of Raina in season four, fans have already started to weigh in on who should live and who should die. However, for those behind the scenes, like Power showrunner and co-creator Courtney Kemp, having a successful show means ignoring the noise and focusing on the original story.
“The first season of the show we were making the first season of Power, we had no fan input at all because the show wasn’t out yet. And we made a good show,” Kemp tells ABC Radio. “So, I have to ignore the fans, because I have to stay true to what the vision of the show is. The minute I…let the fans bat me around about what they want, then I’m not making a television show — I’m making fan fiction.”
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, who will reprise his role as the gritty street hustler Kanan, agrees with his co-creator and adds that the show shouldn’t be influenced by fan demands because it could easily lose its authenticity as a real street drama.
“What we were trying to do with the show is create — like the lifestyle,” he explains. “Create an environment where anyone can actually get hurt.
The fifth season of Power, also starring Omari Hardwick, Joseph Sikora, Naturi Naughton, and Lela Loren, debuts Sunday, July 1 at 9 p.m. ET on Starz.
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