Exclusive: Joseph Sikora talks Season One Finale Of Power Book IV: Force
Blackfilmandtv.com’s Wilson Morales had the opportunity to speak with actor Joseph Sikora regarding the Season One Finale (Episode 10 - “Family Business”) for the Starz series Power Book IV: Force, the fourth installment of the expanded Power Universe.
“Power Book IV: Force” centers on fan-favorite character Tommy Egan, played by Joseph Sikora, after he cuts ties and puts New York in his rearview mirror for good. As Tommy leaves New York after losing Ghost, LaKeisha and the only city he's ever known, he makes a quick detour to close an old wound that’s been haunting him for decades. What was supposed to be a quick stop turns into a labyrinth of family secrets and lies Tommy thought were long buried.
In "Family Business" - Decisions are made by those closest to Tommy which could leave him powerless. Matters are further complicated when an unexpected visitor arrives in Chicago, who Tommy wants gone, but refuses to leave without answers. With few allies left and his family to protect, Tommy requests more help. When the gangs face off, truths come to light forever shifting the power balance of the Chicago drug game. Diamond learns the truth behind a potential threat. This battle may be over, but the war is far from won.
How long ago did you know what would happen?
Joseph Sikora: The final script for episode ten was in consistent flux. It was written by Vladimir Cvetko, who was a writer for the original Power show. And I think that he did a good job. But the direction was just phenomenal by Deon Taylor, who did an incredible job of extracting the culmination of the first season and kind of this epic style that leaves a very decimated picture at the end of it, including a vengeful totally exacerbated Tommy, wanting revenge for Liliana.
We got to see a softer side to Tommy once he discovered he had family in town. It made him more emotional in recent episodes.
Joseph Sikora: Yes. I think that Tommy has always wanted to have a family. He made his family with the St. Patrick's and the Power show. He wanted to make a family and start a life with Leticia. And he's always lost. It's almost a vampiric existence for Tommy, because everybody that he loves, he eventually outlives. It makes for a very lonely existence. So I think, in that foursome shot with Tommy, D-Mac, JP and Kate, and Tommy’s asking himself if this real. How long can this last? Or how can I make sure that this family stays the test of time? Very emotional in that episode as well.
How was it to have Kate back in a picture?
Joseph Sikora: I said this to somebody else but I have to repeat it because I think it's correct. Joseph Sikora and Tommy Egan feel the exact opposite way that I hope she sticks around. I’m sure Tommy wishes that she would get lost. I think it's great. Patricia Kalember is a dynamic, fantastic actor.
Audrey Esparza, as far as a did such an amazing job as Liliana that we didn't know if we wanted to like or hate her. But as she kept going on with more episodes, we grew to like her a lot. It's a shame that she had to go out and the way she went out. How was it working with her throughout the series?
Joseph Sikora: Wonderful. She's as good a person as she is an actor and is super collaborative. I think she makes great choices. She's such a nice person. Definitely gonna miss working with her. Yeah, I loved the development of the friendship of Tommy and Liliana, because it wasn't just Liliana proving herself to Tommy, it was Tommy also proving himself to Liliana in a real way. It was a very natural and organic partnership that was built. The only way a true partnership can be built on faith and trust. That was yet another big L for Tommy Egan. That's a wonderful place for him to start season two.
Liliana was his ride or die, but within the same episode we saw Tommy and Diamond get together and tell each other that they trust each other. So are we going to see them teaming up in Season 2?
Joseph Sikora: Well, Diamond came through for Tommy in a real way and in a way that he didn't necessarily want to at first. We saw that develop. That was a slow burn and Diamond was staying true to himself. I think that there will certainly be more partnerships between Diamond and Tommy because Tommy can't do it alone. Nobody can. So Tommy does need some friends or at least some people that that he can rely on in some capacity if he's going to still attempt to take over the city of Chicago.
What does this show done for you as an actor, knowing that you've taking on much more of a leading role?
Joseph Sikora: It’s not much more of a leading role than I was on the Power show. Pretty similar, but because you need a great ensemble. I'm so lucky that I have another great ensemble to work with. Legends like Tommy Flanagan and actors like Lili Simmons, and Shane Harper, and Chris Lofton and Isaac Keys. And then some of these young actors which are just phenomenal.
What do you plan to do during the hiatus?
Joseph Sikora: We start filming in a couple of weeks. I can't wait. I'm so excited to get back to work.
When Gloria was killed a few episodes ago, will there be another love interest for Tommy?
Joseph Sikora: Not that I know of, but I'm sure that it's a possibility.
Where do you see Tommy going in Season 2?
Joseph Sikora: I think that Tommy is going to seek revenge for Liliana, first and foremost. And then I think that he will strategize. I think that this is going to be a very complex season. Gary Lennon, who's the showrunner is just such a consummate artist, and crafter of story. I can't wait to see where he goes, because I have nothing but faith and trust in his ability.
But towards the end of the season finale, we saw New York come back into play in which there may be a possibility of some of those members from the original Power series to come back in season two. Is that possible?
Joseph Sikora: Absolutely. You never know who's gonna pop up in the Power universe. Everything is interconnected.
There have been a lot of conspiracy theories out there regarding Omari Hardwick’s Ghost because throughout the season of Power Force, Ghost was always mentioned. I keep saying he's dead. Is there possibility that somehow Ghost survived that shooting, even though we saw him on the ground with blood coming out of his chest?
Joseph Sikora: Sure, yeah. There's a possibility. I hope he makes an appearance in season two.
Have you caught up with any of the cast members from the previous show? Were you at Naturi’s wedding?
Joseph Sikora: I actually couldn't make it because I was sick. I was not able to travel unfortunately, but didn’t Naturi look beautiful. I wish them so much love and success. I love those guys. I still keep in touch. I'm still good friends with Jr Ramirez who played Julio on the original Power show. Joe Perrino is one of my dearest friends in the world. So yeah, I keep up with some of the people from the Power show. Did you see Omari on the magazine cover of L’Officiel from Australian. They are amazing.
Have they given you a timeframe as to how long you'll be shooting it and when Season 2 will air?
Joseph Sikora: We're gonna be filming for about six months and then we're going to try to have a quick turnaround of the series but because Gary Landon is also an incredibly diligent worker and very capable editor I think that he will be working with the editors and hopefully that won't be much more than a year before we have Season Two.
It looks like Tommy’s never worried about money. Although his goal is to make money, he’s never sweating for it. How much is Tommy loaded with?
Joseph Sikora: We just saw Tommy spend all of his money right that we knew that he had. He gave it all to the Serbs two million bucks in the time to load up everything that he had hidden in the fire pool area. So I think Tommy now is worth $0.