Raising KananIt is back for a second series, and has been green-lit for a season before its August 14th release on STARZ. The third series in the Power UniverseFamily is based on the story of Kanan Stark (fan favorite character) and follows his growing up in South Jamaica, Queens. Kanan is a 1980s-set character who was raised by a single mom, who runs her family’s growing criminal empire with her son. He navigates his way through the streets of the city while also navigating his way through teenage years, which can be dangerous and full of pitfalls. Raq, struggling to control Kanan’s destiny, expands her territory and partners with the Mafia.
Sascha Pen, executive producer and showrunner of the show, was a key to its success. PopCulture.com talked to Penn about the season 2 twists, turns and more. Watch the complete interview in video above.
PC: Congratulations, it’s season 2! Super excited fans. Fans are super excited.
SP: I believe that raising the stakes on a certain level is necessary but not in a way that makes you feel crazy or unearned. The biggest challenge I see is the fact that there are so many people. PowerThe audience is used to a certain flow and rhythm of the series. We want to give that to them, but at the same moment, we want everything to feel earned. That’s a challenge. It is also a challenge to be better storytellers and filmmakers. This is the ultimate goal.
PC: That’s interesting. It seems like the audience is used a certain flow. I’d argue that we are not. We never know what episode will bring.
SP: That’s the flow.
PC: That’s the flow. It’s a rollercoaster. We are just like. “Okay, who’s going to die next episode?”
SP: Right.
PC: “Who’s popping back up?”Also with Power UniverseThey’re well-known for killing off characters. What can you tell us? What can you tell us?
SP: What do you mean? PowerIt has been the mantra since inception. “No one is safe,”That seems pretty consistent. We know there are two characters that will live. We know Kanan will live and Jukebox too. It’s always a mystery to me as well as everyone else. It is a difficult thing to let go of characters, which I believe a lot viewers don’t get. For me, these actors are almost like family, and it is difficult to imagine not having them around. I must have the conversation with every actor. It’s heartbreaking, but we have to do it. It’s part modern television, I believe. No one is safe.
PC: What would your prediction be that the audience will be most shocked by season 2?
SP: The new alliances formed and those that have been broken will shock them the most. They’ll also be shocked by the drama in the family. I believe the relationships between family members were really tested this season. Anyone who has seen season one will know that it ended in a very precarious place.
PC: Speaking of the ending of season one, we know Kanan shot Malcolm. What can you tell me about Kanan’s mental health and character development in season two? Because that would be the total takeover of season 2.
SP: Yeah. You know, obviously, that Howard lives in the trailer. So that makes Raq’s job a challenge. He has to deal with this man. Kanan is dealing with this guy. This is a very difficult thing for Kanan to process and understand. It’s hard to see how the person you live your life for, betrays you in some way. I believe it speaks to Kanan’s journey to becoming the Kanan of Power. That’s what I consider the best part of the series. It is also integral to the second season.