The Starz Original drama Power began production this week on an eight hour-long episode first season. Set in modern day New York, the series will film in and around the city's five boroughs, making it a major character throughout the season.

Executive Producer Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson has been added to the cast in the recurring role of 'Kanan', an old friend of James "Ghost" St. Patrick's.

Power tells the story of wealthy New York City nightclub owner, James "Ghost" St. Patrick, who caters to the city's elite. He wants to build an empire, turn the club into a Fortune 500 business, but there's just one problem: he is living a double life. When he is not in the club, he is the kingpin of the most lucrative drug network in New York for a very high-level clientele. His marriage, family and business all become unknowingly threatened as he is tempted to leave his criminal life behind and become the rags-to-riches businessman he wants to be most of all.

The series is created by Courtney Kemp Agboh (The Good Wife), who will serve as executive producer and showrunner. Mark Canton (300, 300: Rise of an Empire, Escape Plan), Randall Emmett (End of Watch, 2 Guns, Lone Survivor) and David Knoller (Big Love, Carnivale) also serve as executive producers. The series is being produced in association with CBS Television Studios.

The cast is led by Omari Hardwick (Sparkle, For Colored Girls, Kick-Ass) who is joined by Lela Loren (Snitch, Gang Related), Naturi Naughton (Fame, The Client List, Mad Men) and Joseph Sikora (Jack Reacher, Safe, Boardwalk Empire). Hardwick stars as main character 'James "Ghost" St. Patrick'; Loren plays 'Angela Valdes', an old flame of James's who unexpectedly reenters his life; Naughton will play 'Tasha St. Patrick', wife, confidant and willing accomplice to James and Sikora plays 'Tommy Egan', childhood best friend and business partner to "Ghost."

Rounding out the cast are Andy Bean as 'Greg', Sinqua Walls as 'Shawn', Adam Huss as 'Kantos', Greg Serano as 'Medina', Lucy Walters as 'Holly', Kathrine Narducci as 'Lavaro', Luis Antonio Ramos as 'Ruiz', LaLa Anthony as 'LaKeisha', Elisabeth Röhm as 'Cynthia', J.R. Ramirez as 'Julio', Debbi Morgan as 'Estelle', Shane Johnson as 'Saxe', Enrique Murciano as 'Lobos', Vinicius Machado as 'Nomar', Dominic Colon as 'Anibal', J.P. Serret as 'Sabueso' and Audrey Esparza as 'Liliana'.

The series is expected to premiere on Starz in 2014. Starz retains all global distribution and home entertainment rights to the series.