Fresh off a record-setting second season premiere, Starz announced today a season three pickup of “Power,” the New York-based drama starring Omari Hardwick. Creator, executive producer and showrunner Courtney Kemp Agboh will return to the helm alongside executive producers Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Mark Canton, Randall Emmett and newly elevated Gary Lennon.

The second season premiere of “Power” logged 1.43 million Live+SD viewers during its Saturday, June 6 at 9PM ET/PT premiere airing, making it the most ever for a STARZ Original series season premiere episode. More than 3.62 million Live+SD viewers watched the episode over the initial weekend, securing “Power’s” second season STARZ premiere weekend as the most watched episode ever for a STARZ Original series.*

Creator and executive producer Courtney Kemp Agboh said, “I am thrilled to learn that season three of ‘Power’ has been officially ordered by Starz. It is an honor to work with Chris Albrecht, Carmi Zlotnik, Ken Segna and the whole Starz team. Their support has been steadfast from the beginning, and I look forward to a bright future together.”

“’Power’ is a project I have been passionate about since day one,” said executive producer and star Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. “I am glad the audience loves the show as much as we do, and we are just getting started."

Production on the third season is scheduled to begin in September 2015 at the series’ home base at Steiner Studios in Brooklyn. A 10-episode run has been ordered. ”Power” airs in more than 175 countries/territories worldwide. Starz retains all global distribution and home entertainment rights to the series.

About “Power”

“Power” is the story of a visionary crime drama set in two different worlds: the glamorous New York club scene and the brutal drug trade.

Ghost’s work troubles pale in comparison to juggling his relationship with his wife, Tasha, and his first love, Angela, who’s also an Assistant U.S. Attorney investigating his drug organization. Ghost is set further back from his dream by his business partner, Tommy, who loves the drug game, and his former mentor, Kanan, fresh out of jail and looking for revenge.

“Power” is led by Omari Hardwick (Sparkle, For Colored Girls, Kick Ass, “Being Mary Jane”) as main character ‘James “Ghost” St. Patrick’; Lela Loren (Snitch, “Gang Related”) who plays ‘Angela Valdes’, an old flame of James’ who unexpectedly reenters his life; Naturi Naughton (Fame, “The Client List,” “Mad Men”) as ‘Tasha St. Patrick’, wife, confidant and willing accomplice to James; and Joseph Sikora (Jack Reacher, Safe, “Boardwalk Empire”) who plays ‘Tommy Egan’, childhood best friend and business partner to “Ghost.” Sinqua Walls (“Teen Wolf,” “Friday Night Lights,” “The Secret Life of the American Teenager”) stars as ‘Shawn’, driver to the St. Patrick family and son of ‘Kanan’, played by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, who taught Ghost and Tommy everything they know.

Executive produced by Jackson, “Power” was created by Courtney Kemp Agboh (Emmy® nominated for "The Good Wife"), who serves as executive producer and showrunner. Mark Canton (300, Immortals, 300: Rise of an Empire), Randall Emmett (End of Watch, 2 Guns, Lone Survivor) also serves as executive producer. The series is produced in association with CBS Television Studios, G-Unit Film and Television - the production company launched by Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, Kemp Agboh’s Mawuli Productions Inc. and Canton’s Atmosphere Television.

For high-resolution images and other press materials please visit the Starz Press Room at www.starz.mediaroom.com.

For more information visit the “Power” Facebook Page and follow @Power_ Starz on Twitter. Join the conversation with #PowerTV and #STARZ.

*Source: Nielsen NPower Live+SD P2+ Projections (000s) and P2+ GAA Projections (000s) by weekend.

About Starz

Starz (NASDAQ: STRZA, STRZB) is a leading integrated global media and entertainment company with operating units that provide premium subscription video programming on domestic U.S. pay television channels (Starz Networks), global content distribution (Starz Distribution) and animated television and movie production (Starz Animation), www.starz.com.

Starz Networks is a leading provider of premium subscription video programming through the flagship STARZ® and ENCORE® pay TV networks which showcase premium original programming and movies to U.S. multichannel video distributors, including cable operators, satellite television providers, and telecommunications companies. As of March 31, 2015, STARZ and ENCORE serve a combined 57.5 million subscribers, including 23.7 million at STARZ, and 33.8 million at ENCORE, making them the largest pair of premium flagship channels in the U.S. STARZ® and ENCORE®, along with Starz Networks’ third network MOVIEPLEX®, air more than 1,000 movies monthly across 17 linear networks, complemented by On Demand and authenticated online offerings through STARZ PLAY, ENCORE PLAY, and MOVIEPLEX PLAY. Starz Distribution develops, produces and acquires entertainment content, distributing it to consumers globally on DVD, digital formats and traditional television. Starz Distribution’s home video, digital media and worldwide distribution business units distribute original programming content produced by Starz, as well as entertainment content for itself and third parties. Starz Animation produces animated TV and movie content for studios, networks, distributors and audiences worldwide.

About CBS Television Studios

CBS Television Studios is one of the industry's leading suppliers of primetime network programming, with the #1 and #2 dramas, "NCIS" and "NCIS: Los Angeles" and the #1 new comedy "The Millers" which also ranks as the third most watched network comedy. The studio's roster of popular and critically-acclaimed programs also includes the phenomenally successful CSI franchise, "Elementary," starring Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu, the Peabody Award winning series "The Good Wife," starring multiple award winner Julianna Margulies, "Under the Dome," last summer's most watched program; "Reign," the hit CW series, the daytime talk show "The Talk," and BET's #1 scripted show "The Game." Upcoming new series include "NCIS: New Orleans," "CSI: Cyber," "The Odd Couple," "Madam Secretary" and "Scorpion" for CBS and "Jane the Virgin" and "The Messengers," for The CW in addition to the highly anticipated summer event "Extant" starring Academy Award winner Halle Berry.