Chicago isn't just a backdrop in the Power Universe. It's a character. But honestly, the real reason anyone tunes into the spinoff is the cast of Power Force. When Joseph Sikora hopped into that blue Mustang and drove away from the wreckage of New York City, fans weren't sure if a solo Tommy Egan show could actually carry the weight of the original franchise. It did. Mostly because the casting directors didn't just look for "tough guys." They looked for actors who could play chess while Tommy was out there playing checkers with a sledgehammer.
The Man in the Blue Mustang: Joseph Sikora
You can’t talk about this show without starting with Joseph Sikora. He’s the anchor. While other characters in the Power world have come and gone—often in a body bag—Sikora’s Tommy Egan has this weird, cockroach-like ability to survive everything. What’s interesting about his performance in Force compared to the original series is the vulnerability. In New York, he was Ghost’s muscle. In Chicago, he’s the boss, and Sikora plays that transition with a mix of terrifying rage and a surprisingly soft spot for his newly discovered family.
Sikora is a Chicago native in real life, which adds a layer of authenticity you can't fake. When he talks about the streets or the weather, it feels lived-in. He’s not just an actor reciting lines about the Windy City; he’s a guy who actually knows where to get the best deep dish without looking like a tourist.
Isaac Keys as Diamond: The Calm in Tommy’s Storm
If Tommy is the gasoline, Isaac Keys is the guy trying to make sure nobody lights a match too early. As David "Diamond" Sampson, Keys brings a physicality to the screen that is genuinely imposing. He’s a big man. But he’s also a quiet man. Fresh out of a 15-year prison stint, Diamond represents the "old school" of the Chicago drug trade—principled, cautious, and deeply weary.
Keys, a former NFL player, understands how to use his size to command a room without saying a word. His chemistry with Sikora works because they are polar opposites. Tommy wants to burn everything down to build it back up; Diamond wants to build something that lasts so he never has to go back to a cell. Their partnership is the literal "Force" the title refers to, but it’s a friction-filled one.
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The Flynn Family: Chicago’s Answer to the Italians
Then we have the Flynns. This is where the cast of Power Force gets its Shakespearean flavor. Tommy Flanagan—who many of us still can’t see without thinking of Sons of Anarchy—plays Walter Flynn. He’s the patriarch of the Irish crime family that has held Chicago in a chokehold for decades. Flanagan plays Walter as a man who is terrified of the world changing around him. He’s racist, he’s stubborn, and he’s dying.
His children, Vic and Claudia, are where the real drama happens. Shane Harper plays Vic Flynn, a guy who is essentially the "rich kid" version of Tommy but with a lot more baggage and a lot less impulse control. Then there’s Lili Simmons as Claudia Flynn. Honestly? Claudia is probably the smartest person in any room she walks into. Simmons plays her with a cold, calculating edge. She’s trying to break into the "designer drug" market with her product, Dahlia, and she’s tired of her father telling her that women don't belong in the family business.
Kris D. Lofton and the Jenard Problem
Every show needs a wildcard. In Force, that’s Jenard Sampson, played by Kris D. Lofton. While Diamond was in prison, Jenard ran the CBI (Chicago Brothers Inc.). When Diamond came out and took the reins back, Jenard didn’t exactly take it well. Lofton plays Jenard with a frantic, desperate energy that makes you feel like he’s a ticking time bomb.
What makes Lofton’s performance stand out is that you actually feel for the guy. Imagine building an empire for 15 years only for your brother to walk out of prison and tell you you’re doing it wrong. It’s messy. It’s human. And Lofton nails that resentment in every scene.
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The Supporting Players Who Glue the Show Together
The cast of Power Force isn't just about the leads. Gabrielle Ryan plays Gloria, the woman stuck between Vic and Tommy, adding a layer of romantic tension that—let's be real—usually ends in tragedy in this universe. And we can't forget Anthony Fleming III as JP Gibbs. JP is Tommy’s half-brother, a jazz club owner who didn't even know Tommy existed.
Their relationship is probably the most grounded thing in the show. Watching Tommy try to be a "good brother" while simultaneously being a mass-murdering drug kingpin is the kind of cognitive dissonance that makes the writing work.
Why This Cast Works Better Than Other Spinoffs
A lot of people compare Force to Ghost or Raising Kanan. While Ghost is flashy and Kanan is a period piece, Force feels like a gritty western. The casting reflects that. You have weathered faces. You have actors who look like they’ve actually seen a Chicago winter.
- Authenticity: Many cast members have ties to the Midwest.
- Range: You have veterans like Flanagan mixed with newcomers.
- Physicality: This is a violent show, and the actors handle the action sequences with a realism that doesn't feel like "movie fighting."
The Impact of Season 2 Changes
When Gary Lennon took over as showrunner for the second season, the tone shifted. It got darker. More focused. The cast of Power Force had to adapt to a script that was less about flashy car chases and more about the psychological toll of the game. Carmela Zumbado joined as Mireya Garcia, the sister of a rival cartel leader and Tommy’s new love interest. Her addition was crucial because it gave Tommy something to lose besides just money or territory.
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Zumbado brings a toughness that matches Sikora. She isn't a damsel in distress. She’s a medical professional who knows exactly what kind of monster Tommy is, and she chooses him anyway. That kind of nuance is what separates this show from a standard police procedural.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Cast
There’s a misconception that these actors are just playing "thugs." If you look closer at the work Miriam A. Hyman does as US Attorney Stacy Marks, or Adrienne Walker as Shanti "Showstopper" Page, you see a lot of layers. These are people driven by ego, legacy, and survival.
Shanti, in particular, was a brilliant addition. She brought a female perspective to the CBI power struggle that forced Jenard and Diamond to rethink their entire strategy. It’s not just about who has the biggest gun; it’s about who can manipulate the narrative.
Real-World Takeaways for Fans
If you're watching Power Book IV: Force, don't just focus on the body count. Watch the eyes. Watch the way Joseph Sikora reacts when someone mentions New York. Watch the way Isaac Keys carries himself when he's trying to go legit versus when he has to go back to his old ways.
Next Steps for Deep Diving into the Show:
- Follow the Actors: Many of the cast members, like Joseph Sikora and Isaac Keys, are very active on Instagram and often share behind-the-scenes glimpses of the Chicago sets.
- Check Out the Original Series: If you haven't seen the original Power, you're missing about 70% of Tommy's "why." Go back and watch his relationship with Ghost to understand why he's so desperate for family in Chicago.
- Look for the Filming Locations: If you’re ever in Chicago, many of the spots the cast frequents in the show are real locations in neighborhoods like Pilsen and the West Side.
The cast of Power Force has managed to do something very difficult: they took a beloved character from an ensemble hit and gave him a world that feels just as big, just as dangerous, and—dare I say—even more unpredictable. Whether it's the internal war within CBI or the external threat of the Flynns, these actors make sure you're never quite sure who is going to make it to the end of the episode. And in the Power universe, that's exactly how it should be.