Remembering the "Power" of Queer Characters in One of Black America’s Most Watched Shows

Always held at the top of the year, the Golden Globes honor film and television stars , and this year’s winners included Black actress Zoe Saldana for her portrayal in the controversial movie Emilia Perez. Set in Mexico, the film tells the story of an individual who transitions genders to flee the cartel (topic for another day). Filled with stereotypes, the film sparked ample backlash, as GLAAD called the film “retrograde.” 

This isn’t the first time the Golden Globes have ignited controversy, especially about race and sexuality. Outside of Billy Porter or Colman Domingo, wildly few Black queer actors have been nominated for an award. In 2023, while hosting, Black gay comic Jerrod Carmichael roasted the organization. Nearly 10 years ago, 50 Cent slammed the organization for shutting out predominantly Black shows.  After his show Power received no nominations despite setting records for viewership- 50 Cent lamented, “The Golden Globes Can Suck A Dick.” While some may not view the statement as eloquent, he is not alone in the sentiment. 

This is especially true given that the Power universe, produced by 50 Cent, has arguably (and subtly) been the most popular and sustained show(s) that features Black gay characters. Indeed, the storylines rarely surround aspects of sexuality, but still, in the Power universe, multiple Black queer characters are not caricatures or void of complexity. Instead, they are the core drivers of the plot and prompt character development for others. Their queerness is as apparent as their Blackness. It is who they are, but not what the series is about. The entire Power universe indicates Black audiences will watch shows with detailed and developed Black queer characters. This fact often goes unacknowledged. 

“Black audiences will watch shows with detailed and developed Black queer characters.This fact often goes unacknowledged. ”

The Cultural Impact of Power 

When shows with Black gay characters come to mind, very few people would say Power. Yet, there is a queer character in nearly every spin-off and in Power Book II: Ghost, Dru Tejada, who is gay, appears in all 40 episodes. To put it clearly- A Black gay character appeared in every episode of the show that Black audiences watched the most.  

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Power franchise spans four series and has consistently shattered records for Starz and Black viewership. When 50 Cent made his statement in 2017, Power was the second most-watched show on all premium channels after Game of Thrones. The flagship series dethroned Spartacus as Starz’s most-watched show in 2015, maintaining massive audiences throughout its run. Meanwhile, in late 2020 and 2021, Ghost, Book III: Raising Kanan, and Book IV: Force delivered the biggest premiere weekend in Starz history. By the end of 2024,  the franchise was the most-watched show on Starz and remained the top show for Black viewers in the United States and worldwide. Audiences have viewed nearly  1.6 billion hours of the show.  

Queer Characters Everywhere, All The Time

I have contributed significantly to that viewership number. As an avid watcher of TV, I consider myself relatively aware of how the Black queer experience is written about and depicted on TV. For example, in 2017, while Power was breaking records, the popular show Snowfall did not feature a gay character, but writers were eager to include a scene of male sexual assault. 

No portrayal is perfect, but showrunner Courtney Kemp has discussed her process of including queer perspectives in Power. She knew queer characters may receive backlash, but she told TheGrio, “If you make a show about people who are college-age in 2021 and everyone is straight, you’re an a**hole.” The franchise’s commitment to this is abundantly clear. A gay character is vital to the plot of each franchise. Every step of the way, Power spotlights queer characters with power.

In the least-watched spin-off, Power Book IV: Force, Tommy, who is notoriously brutal and ruthless to everyone else, has a heartfelt acceptance when his brother JP comes out as gay. This comes in stark contrast to the almost constant violence Tommy perpetrates. In this spin-off, a Black gay character helps reveal another’s emotional complexity and depth. Tommy accepts JP, so the audience is more likely to. 

In Power Season One, Felipe Lobos, who is gay, is the overarching antagonist. As the drug trafficker skirting law enforcement and Ghost, the character continues into seasons two and three. There are multiple scenes implying sexual intercourse, but few scenes, if any, critique Lobos because of his sexuality. He is pursued due to his illegal, not sexual conquests. He is indeed not depicted as moral, but this is due to his drug trafficking, not sex. Likewise, Jukebox, essential to both Power and Power III: Raising Kanan, officially comes out early as a lesbian. We learn she is a corrupt cop and is the right-hand woman of Kanan, who 50 Cent plays. We also see softer moments of her singing in church. Again, the character is nuanced, and while Jukebox is not inherently good, her moral flaws are not tied to being a lesbian.

While important, none of these characters are more visible and crucial than Dru Tejada.

Played by Lovell Adams-Gray, Dru is described as the “art kid who turned to the streets” and the “intellect of the family.” He appears in every episode and drives the plot in multiple ways. He and his family spark ample conflicts with Tariq, the protagonist. The series does not shy away from showing Dru’s sexuality. The first three seasons spotlight his strained and secret relationship with an NBA recruit. In another season, he murders his lover as an act of revenge for his family. Other shows have failed to depict Black gay couples. Flawed or not, most notably, Dru’s family is aware that he is gay, but that is far from the center of their controversy. The family crumbles, but Dru’s sexuality has little to do with it. The family collapses due to drug trafficking and greed - vices shared by Dru. 

Why we need to remember Power’s queerness

I am not shocked that many don’t remember Power as queer, especially considering 50 Cent has a long history of making homophobic comments. However, as one of the most-watched shows of the 2010s and early 2020s, Power is cemented in television and Black history. The queer characters should be remembered too. 

The franchise illustrates that Black audiences can and do engage in shows with queer characters. Outside of showing Dru’s flawed relationships, the show rarely intentionally discussed sexuality. Some view their own sexuality in this way-a part of the story that seldom needs to be addressed. 

But we know Black queerness is not a monolith. Sometimes, we need shows that explicitly call out and center Black queerness. We need shows like Pose and Power.  Pose is rightfully enshrined in history with many Golden Globe awards and nominations. I hope that when we talk about Power, we remember that one of the most popular shows in Black America had Black queer characters everywhere, all the time.