You know that feeling when a character is so good you can't imagine anyone else in the suit? That’s James St. Patrick. If you’ve spent the last decade glued to Starz, you aren't just looking for an actor; you’re looking for the man who balanced a brutal drug empire with a high-end Manhattan nightclub without breaking a sweat. So, who plays ghost in power? That would be Omari Hardwick, and honestly, the story of how he got the role—and what’s happened since he "died" on screen—is arguably as dramatic as the show itself.
Hardwick didn't just play a role. He lived it for six seasons, turning a potentially cliché "kingpin" character into a Shakespearean tragic figure. But it wasn't always a sure thing. In fact, before the show premiered in 2014, 50 Cent (who executive produced and starred as Kanan) actually had to talk Omari into it.
The Man Behind the Ghost: Who is Omari Hardwick?
Before he was the face of the biggest show on cable, Omari Hardwick was a struggling actor with a heavy sports background. Born in Savannah, Georgia, he was a star football player at the University of Georgia. He even tried for the NFL, but an injury sidelined those dreams. It’s funny how life works; that pivot led him to Hollywood, but it wasn't an overnight success.
Hardwick has been incredibly open about the "grind." During the early days of his career, he was literally living out of his car. Even after he started getting work in projects like For Colored Girls and Being Mary Jane, the massive payday everyone assumes comes with fame wasn't quite there yet.
Here’s a detail that usually surprises people: despite being the lead of a massive hit, Hardwick had to borrow money from 50 Cent to keep his family afloat during the first few seasons of Power. He eventually paid it back with interest, but it shows that the glitz of the "Ghost" lifestyle was very different from Omari's reality at the time. He was reportedly making about $150,000 per episode by the end, which sounds like a lot until you realize the show was pulling in millions of viewers and carrying the entire network on its back.
Why Omari Hardwick was the Only Choice for James St. Patrick
When you ask fans who plays ghost in power, they don’t just give you a name; they talk about the "vibe." Hardwick brought a specific kind of intensity. He could go from a loving father at a breakfast table to a cold-blooded killer in a basement in the span of thirty seconds.
The producers looked at other actors—names like Boris Kodjoe and Ricky Whittle were reportedly in the mix—but 50 Cent pushed for Omari. He saw a certain "edge" in him. Ghost had to be sophisticated enough to hang out with Fortune 500 CEOs but dangerous enough that Tommy Egan (played by Joseph Sikora) would actually respect him.
The chemistry between Hardwick and Sikora is really what made the show. They weren't just actors reading lines; they felt like brothers who had survived the worst of Jamaica, Queens together. That’s a hard thing to fake.
The "New" Ghost: Is Tariq Taking the Mantle?
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. In the sequel series, Power Book II: Ghost, the "Ghost" in the title doesn't refer to James. It refers to his son, Tariq St. Patrick, played by Michael Rainey Jr. This has caused a bit of an identity crisis for the fandom. If you’re searching for who plays ghost in power because you’re watching the spinoffs, you’re technically looking at Rainey Jr. He’s gone from being the most hated kid on television to a lead who is slowly—very slowly—earning the respect of the audience.
Rainey Jr. has been playing Tariq since he was a literal child in the original series. Seeing him grow up on screen and try to fill Omari’s shoes (or at least his tailored suits) has been a wild ride. But let’s be real: for the "OG" fans, there is only one Ghost.
Will Omari Hardwick Ever Return?
This is the question that keeps the forums alive at 3 AM. Since James St. Patrick was shot and fell off the balcony of Truth in the series finale, rumors have been flying. "He’s in witness protection!" "We never saw the body in the ground!"
As of early 2026, the official word is still that Ghost is dead. However, the Power universe is expanding in ways we didn't expect. There is a new prequel in development called Power: Origins, which will follow a young Ghost and Tommy. Since this is a prequel, we’ll likely see a younger actor playing the role, though fans are begging for Omari to at least provide the narration, similar to how 50 Cent narrates Raising Kanan.
Hardwick himself has been a bit cryptic about a return. He’s mentioned in interviews that the "door is never completely closed" if the story makes sense—and, let’s be honest, if the check is right. There’s been some public tension between him and 50 Cent over salary and "valuation," but in Hollywood, money heals all wounds.
What Omari Hardwick is Doing Now
If you miss seeing him on your screen every Sunday, Hardwick hasn't been sitting idle. He’s moved into big-budget films and different genres:
- He starred in Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead.
- He’s part of the Star Trek: Section 31 project.
- He continues to release poetry and music through his Poetics podcast.
He’s also stayed very active in the "Actor’s Lounge" in Los Angeles, helping younger actors navigate the industry that almost broke him before Power saved him.
Actionable Insights for Power Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Ghost, here is how you can stay updated and get the "true" experience:
- Watch the Prequels: If you want to understand the Ghost lore, Power Book III: Raising Kanan is essential. It explains the environment that created the man Omari Hardwick played.
- Follow the "Crew Has It" Podcast: Michael Rainey Jr. and Gianni Paolo (who plays Brayden) host a podcast where they often drop behind-the-scenes secrets about the original cast.
- Look for "Power: Origins" Casting News: Keep an eye on Starz press releases in late 2026. The actor chosen to play young Ghost has massive shoes to fill, and the announcement will be the biggest thing in the franchise since the original finale.
- Check Out Omari's Poetry: To understand the "soul" he brought to James St. Patrick, listen to his spoken word. It explains that "searching" quality Ghost always seemed to have.
Omari Hardwick didn't just play a character; he created a cultural icon. Whether he's James, Jamie, or Ghost, he remains the heart of the franchise. Even if Tariq is the lead now, the shadow of the original Ghost is a long one.
To stay on top of any surprise cameos or casting for the new prequels, make sure your Starz subscription is active and you're following the official Power social media accounts. The "Ghost" is never truly gone as long as the reruns are playing and the spinoffs are thriving.
Next Steps for You: If you're wondering how the rest of the cast stacks up, I can break down the career paths of Joseph Sikora or Michael Rainey Jr. for you.