By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Saturday, June 6, 2015
A year ago, Omari Hardwick came back to his home city of Atlanta to screen Starz' new drama "Power," saying he was ready and prepared for the responsibility of being the lead guy for the first time playing a drug kingpin nicknamed Ghost.
This past Thursday, the 41-year-old Decatur native returned for another Atlantic Station screening with a bit more swagger, a bigger fan base and a second season of "Power" to promote. Ironically, his stature makes it far harder for him to be a "ghost" in a crowd.
"I had an uncle in 2006 when I was getting my first decent roles who said to me, 'Enjoy these moments of anonymity for they will soon fade,' " said Hardwick, who built his resume on TNT dramas ("Saved," "Dark Blue"), films ("For Colored Girls," "Sparkle") and an Atlanta-based BET drama (season one of "Being Mary Jane").
One big sign that Hardwick has hit the big time: Muhammad Ali is a fan, Hardwick said. "He talks to the screen," he said, drawn in by the story and Ghost. One of Ali's daughters invited Hardwick to watch the first episode with Ali in Arizona, which blows Hardwick's mind. But he's going to be there when the drama returns Saturday, June 6 at 9 p.m.
Hardwick's character James "Ghost" St. Patrick is a shadowy drug kingpin in New York City who has stayed out of the press and prison (thus, the nickname "Ghost") but chooses to open a high-profile nightclub in hopes that he could become truly legit.
But as season one exposed, getting out won't be easy. His closest partner and childhood friend Tommy (Joseph Sikora) is deeply immersed in the drug trade and feels Ghost is pulling away from him because of the nightclub, which is being used cleanse drug money anyway. His wife Tasha (Naturi Naughton) is also not a fan of the nightclub, worried he might get distracted by the ladies.
Then there's his childhood love Angela Valdez (Lela Loren), who appears out of nowhere. He quickly was drawn into an affair with her. Even as season two begins, he can't pull himself away. During the first eight episodes, Ghost has no idea Angela is chasing after the infamous "Ghost" as an assistant district attorney. She just has no idea it's him. (Think Walter White and his father in law on "Breaking Bad.")
During the season one finale, co-executive producer 50 Cent's character Kanan maneuvers to get Ghost killed. But his shooter ends up hitting Tommy's girlfriend instead. In the meantime, Angela's witness who might expose Ghost is killed as well, jeopardizing her role in the investigation, which is meant to take down Ghost's boss Lobo. Then Tommy discovers Angela's true identity and wonders if his friend Ghost is being honest with him or setting him up for a fall.
Hardwick said the new season will be more violent than the first one, more fast-paced. "It's a season of consequences. The number of folks hurt will go up," he said, especially after he (finally!) discovers the truth about his mistress. Naturally, he now wonders if she is setting him up - when in fact she isn't.
His desire to leave the drug business, which could eventually kill him, is thwarted at every turn. Hardwick figures however long the show lasts, Ghost won't necessarily be alive by the very end. (The show's ratings increased during the course of season one. We'll see if binge-watching over the past year will boost numbers when the show returns. It's not bringing in anywhere near the numbers of an "Empire" but this is premium pay cable, where ratings are less important.)
"If there was a rhythm to the way Ghost moves, I want him to move like a clock," Hardwick said. "Tick tock. Tick tock. When I'm playing this guy, he is well aware of his mortality. Hence, his desire to go straight. As he said in the first season, 'There are no drug dealers in an old folks' home.' "
His wife, he added, "thinks Ghost is invincible. Tommy is going to let this [drug empire] ride until the wheels fall off."
Hardwick said it's a challenge to play James St. Patrick, because he has to juggle three personas: his more innocent side when he's with Angela (who calls him Jamie), his legitimate business side as James and his dark, drug-dealing side as Ghost.
He said once Ghost thinks Angela is playing him, a bit of Ghost's harsher persona will have to come out. "Angela has her own ghosts," Hardwick said. "She will be exercising her demons this season."
And given Hardwick's role now as a father and husband in real life, seeing Ghost work 28 hours a day is tough. "He never sleeps," Hardwick said. "I like to be at home."
50 Cent's evil character Kanan, now that he's free, will be seen in eight out of the 10 episodes. How long will it take Ghost to figure out his intentions?
Credit: Rodney Ho
Credit: Rodney Ho
TV PREVIEW
"Power," 9 p.m., Saturday, starting June 6, 2015, Starz
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