The prestige pivot of the Power universe
If you’ve ignored the Power franchise because it felt a little too "soap opera with guns," Raising Kanan is the one that might actually change your mind. It’s less about the flashy lifestyle and more about the slow, inevitable collapse of a family. Set in 1991 Queens, the show functions as a period piece first and a crime thriller second. The production design is immaculate—think bucket hats, heavy leather jackets, and a soundtrack that feels like a love letter to 90s hip-hop rather than a cheap Spotify playlist.
Critics and fans on Reddit often argue over which Power spin-off is the best, but Raising Kanan consistently wins the "best acting" and "best writing" categories. It doesn't rely on the "villain of the week" trope. Instead, it builds tension through the toxic, suffocating bond between Kanan and his mother, Raq.
The Patina Miller factor
Patina Miller is the undisputed anchor of this show. As Raq Thomas, she isn't just a "mob wife" or a side character; she is the CEO of a drug empire and a mother who uses love as a weapon. Her performance is why the show works. She manages to be terrifyingly cold one minute and heartbreakingly maternal the next.
If your older teen is pushing to watch this because they saw clips on social media, understand that the "family" element is what makes it heavier than a standard action show. The violence isn't just for shock value—though it is very graphic—it’s usually the result of a devastating betrayal. This isn't a show where the "good guys" win, because there aren't any. Every character is compromising their soul for a piece of the neighborhood.
Navigating the Starz ecosystem
Unlike Netflix or Disney+, the Starz app can be a bit of a "Wild West" when it comes to keeping mature content away from younger eyes. If you’re letting a mature 17-year-old watch this but want to make sure your 12-year-old doesn't accidentally stumble into a scene of 90s-era street justice, you’ll want to check out our Starz Streaming: A Parent’s Guide to PINs, Profiles, and 'Power'.
The interface isn't always intuitive, and because Raising Kanan is one of their flagship titles, it’s often front-and-center on the home screen. Setting up a proper PIN is the only way to ensure the explicit content stays behind a digital wall.
If they liked Snowfall or The Wire
If your teen has already seen Snowfall or the more "prestige" crime dramas, they will gravitate toward this. It shares that same interest in how the crack cocaine epidemic of the early 90s dismantled specific communities. However, Raising Kanan is more intimate. It’s less about the global politics of the drug trade and more about the dinner table conversations that happen between people who are lying to each other's faces.
It’s a bleak watch, but if you’re looking for a show that sparks a conversation about cycles of violence and the weight of family legacy, this is the most competent version of that story on television right now. Just be prepared for the 7.7 IMDb rating to feel earned; it’s a high-quality production that doesn't pull a single punch.
