Dominic Rains, known for playing Dr. Crockett Marcel on NBC’s Chicago Med, has joined the cast of the upcoming Starz prequel series Power: Origins. Rains will take on a recurring role as Detective Fred Drexel, an NYPD officer at the center of a messy investigation. The series, which is currently filming in New York and New Jersey, explores the younger years of iconic Power characters James “Ghost” St. James and Tommy Egan.
This casting news comes as the Power universe transitions between stories. Power Book IV: Force recently ended its three-season run, and Power Book III: Raising Kanan is set to conclude with its fifth season later this year. Power: Origins is now the primary show in production, shifting the focus back to the past to show how the main characters began their journey.
The New Detective on the Block
Rains will play Detective Fred Drexel, a character described as being tasked with navigating an intense investigation following a controversial incident within the New York Police Department. Sources close to the production suggest his character will work closely with other law enforcement figures already cast in the series, including Kelly McCreary as Officer Melanie Rivers, Hill Harper as Detective Burns, and Damon Gupton as Detective Glover Archibald.
His move from a beloved network medical drama to a gritty Starz crime prequel marks a significant career shift. Rains played Dr. Crockett Marcel on Chicago Med from Season 5 through Season 9, first as a recurring star and later as a series regular. His character departed the show after the tragic death of a patient, with later episodes confirming he took a new job in Boston.
Meet the Young Legends of New York
Power: Origins is centered on the early days of friendship and ambition between James “Ghost” St. James and Tommy Egan. In the original Power series, these roles were made famous by Omari Hardwick and Joseph Sikora. In the prequel, they will be played by younger actors Spence Moore II (as Ghost) and Charlie Mann (as Tommy).
The trio is rounded out by Kanan Stark, a character originally played by franchise executive producer Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. The younger version of Kanan will be portrayed by Mekai Curtis, who continues the role he played in Power Book III: Raising Kanan. The show is described by Starz as a fun and rambunctious look at a new time period, following “the unbridled audacity of young men on the rise, determined to become legends in the game”.
A Growing and Connected Cast
The cast for Power: Origins is large and includes several actors reprising roles from other parts of the Power universe. Jason Dirden will return as Traymont Stinson, a role he originated in Raising Kanan. Nadia Dajani will also reprise her Raising Kanan role of Teresa Boselli.
Other key cast members include:
- Jennifer Ferrin as Kate Egan, Tommy’s mother.
- Lizzy DeClement as Jill Wexler, a local nurse from Queens.
- Lenny Platt as Lenny Seidell, a finance broker.
- Armani Gabriel as J-Boogs, one of Ghost and Tommy’s most trusted corner boys.
- Everett Osborne as Omay Moreau, a tight end for the New York Jets.
- Tonya Pinkins as Grandma Charlayne, Ghost’s grandmother.
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The Power Universe Keeps Expanding
The announcement of Power: Origins comes at a pivotal time for the franchise. Power Book II: Ghost ended in 2024, and Power Book IV: Force concluded its three-season run just last month. The finale of Force left Tommy Egan in Chicago but with an offer from his nephew, Tariq St. James (Michael Rainey Jr.), to team up back in New York.
This has set the stage for future stories in the present timeline. A new series, currently under the working title Power: Legacy, has been in development since last summer. That project is from Force showrunner Gary Lennon and writer Kendra Chapman, and sources indicate it is likely to get a greenlight.
Power: Origins is showrun and executive produced by Sascha Penn, who also worked on Raising Kanan. The pilot was co-written by Penn and the original Power creator, Courtney Kemp. Executive producers also include Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Mark Canton, and Chris Selak. The series is produced by Lionsgate Television for Starz.
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