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Joseph Sikora discusses Tommy’s journey in Power Book IV: Force
Tommy Egan’s journey continues in Chicago / Image Credit score: Starzplay
Followers of Energy have been ecstatic once they heard that fan-favourite character Tommy Egan, performed by Joseph Sikora, could be getting his personal spinoff collection following the conclusion of the unique present.
Clamouring for extra info on what to anticipate and, hoping for a launch as rapidly as doable, the time has lastly come: Energy Guide IV: Power will debut this weekend.
Forward of the premiere, we caught up with Sikora to talk all about his character’s journey, the badass ladies of the Energy universe and extra…
What ought to followers count on from this subsequent chapter in Tommy’s life?
I maintain going again to this, however I do adore it when it says, ‘completely different metropolis, completely different guidelines, similar Tommy’. So, I feel they will count on much more of the identical Tommy but in addition the modifications that Tommy needed to undergo by the top of [the original series] Energy with the lack of all the individuals who have been expensive to him: his brother Ghost, Lakeisha, Holly, his mom disowned him, Tariq and Tasha, he misplaced his complete drug empire.
So, aside from a bag full of money, a few weapons, a number of modifications of garments, Tommy is headed to the West Coast. Now, he will get sidetracked in Chicago and clearly we discover out why. However then, I feel it’s by way of Tommy’s presence of thoughts to say, ‘hey, what?’ It’s not misplaced on him. Tommy has at all times been an observer. Tommy’s at all times had that eye.
Whether or not it was figuring out that Dre was mendacity when Dre stored proving himself to be trustworthy and Tommy simply had that intestine feeling, Tommy goes along with his intestine and that’s one of many the reason why he’s in a position to survive.
As you say, Tommy’s misplaced just about everyone now and so shifting away, he’s gonna meet a bunch of recent folks and new faces. Are you able to inform us a little bit bit about these characters that he’ll meet?
The Sampson brothers are main gamers in Chicago’s drug scene / Image Credit score: Starzplay
Two of probably the most thrilling characters simply, are the Sampson Brothers performed by Kris Lofton as Jenard Sampson and Isaac Keys as Diamond Sampson and so they run the most important gang on the South facet of Chicago which is type of consultant earlier than the nations fell as they are saying, the massive gangs in Chicago had change into leaderless and type of turf gangs, and it is a harkening again or a holding on to a little bit bit extra of the company fashion of a few of these gangs in Chicago that existed for a very long time – just like the El Rukns, making arms offers with the Center East, I feel will jog folks’s reminiscences – however that’s a extremely thrilling relationship as a result of Diamond has simply gotten out of jail as we see within the pilot episode and, Jenard has been operating the gang for all intents and functions.
Tommy serendipitously will get in on a drug deal that’s hosted by Vic Flynn and likewise Jenard Sampson. He type of takes over the deal and so now he’s in cahoots, accidentally, with the 2 largest drug entities in our universe with the Flynns and the Sampsons. It’s gonna take a variety of manoeuvring to get out of the opposite facet in a single piece.
I feel what Energy does very well – it could be very easy for a present like Energy to make use of ladies for means and functions that they will’t actually make a ‘massive character’ out of – however with Energy, whether or not it’s the unique collection or Ghost or Elevating Kanan, there’s at all times badass ladies who’re there for a purpose. Does that proceed with Power, with Gloria (Gabrielle Ryan) maybe?
Sure with Gloria, however sure and… I feel it continues with Gloria, I feel it continues with Claudia Flynn (Lili Simmons) and there are a number of different ladies who make appearances that present the management of girls, the need of girls and the reality of girls in these conditions in a real-world sense.
Gloria is certainly one of many ladies who carve their very own path within the Energy universe / Image Credit score: Starzplay
Tommy’s been tremendous unfortunate in love; do you suppose he’s somebody who can fall in love once more?
I feel Tommy is actually in a spot of mourning Lakeisha nonetheless, so I feel that possibly his carnal nature, which I feel we will all relate to, generally will get the very best of us in conditions. However I feel that, , does the thoughts rule the physique or does the physique rule the thoughts? I don’t imply to cite Smiths lyrics proper now however I feel that it’s apropos that I feel that’s gonna be a problem for Tommy to fall in love whereas he’s carrying this torch nonetheless of a damaged coronary heart for Lakeisha.
Tommy’s most likely greatest described as an anti-hero. Does it ever shock you ways a lot assist he will get from the followers?
It by no means surprises me as a result of I feel we’re all anti-heroes. I feel that an anti-hero implies that you’re simply multifaceted; there’s a multiplicity to you and that’s actually human nature. When you’re a hero I feel that’s a extra singular title.
I feel that the extra fascinating heroes are the anti-heroes; the Walter Whites and Tony Sopranos of the world. So, I feel in that capability, Tommy Egan is in good firm.
Is a part of what attracts you to the Energy universe, that it’s so grounded in actuality?
I feel that it’s a skewed actuality however I feel at it’s greatest, it’s a fully-actualised collection. Courtney A. Kemp [creator and producer] did an exceptional job creating this world that captured all of us. She utilised the experiences and tales and concepts of Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson, the co-executive producer, co-creator of the present. I feel that she did an incredible job and I hope in some capability we’re in a position to emulate that and make it unimaginable.
I feel we get there by the finale episode, directed by an amazing filmmaker named Deon Taylor, got here in and he directed a movie in Episode 10, I’ll let you know that a lot proper now and it’s fairly thrilling so I can’t await the followers to get there, however we’ll start at the start and we’ll make it to the top.
Household’s at all times been a giant theme in Energy and it feels like that’s going to be the case once more?
Yeah, it’s been a giant theme in Energy and I feel that Tommy, for higher or worse will uncover extra about himself by way of this new household that manifests itself in Chicago and, what pitfalls lie inside household and the loyalty, and the way that generally, that can be utilized towards you in a variety of methods, mentally and bodily. So it’s fairly thrilling and , a number of the folks, Anthony Fleming III does a ravishing and sensible job as JP Gibbs and I feel that we’ll see how shut Diamond and Tommy get or how far-off they should keep away.
The collection could be fairly a darkish one at instances, so is it ever tough get in the suitable way of thinking for filming, or is it very a lot a distinct temper on set, behind-the-scenes?
I attempt to do my homework at house and I do research and work onerous and I come ready and memorised with selections, but it surely doesn’t imply I’m not malleable. I present up able to collaborate on a regular basis. Some scenes are heavier, some are lighter. However boy, the crew was marvellous in Chicago, whether or not it was our A or B digicam, we simply had this unimaginable crew of people who find themselves artists and actually thought of themselves artists and I feel, most crews do and folks generally neglect that, that they’re there and feeling that vibe on set, whether or not it’s a joyous one, whether or not it must be critical as a result of that’s what we have to painting and we want for folks to really feel. All people must be proper there within the pocket.
TV’s extra vital than ever proper now, we want that escapism so, what’s it you’re hoping followers take away from this present above all the pieces else?
I feel above and past all the pieces else, I hope that followers are educated behind the strains, not solely of Chicago however the penalties for excessive actions and excessive penalties, all heartache and on the finish of the day, that we’re all human.
I feel this present can transcend and present a oneness and an inclusiveness that a variety of different exhibits simply aren’t in a position to totally actualise and at greatest, we actually do do this. Even when any person doesn’t perceive a side of this world, the actual world of city panorama, I feel they will come and have a enjoyable journey with us and Tommy Egan.
Energy Guide IV: Power begins on Sunday, February sixth 2022, unique to the streaming service Starzplay.
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