Method Man reveals Power Book II: Ghost was ‘written exclusively’ for Mary J Blige: ‘She brought a big audience’

Method Man stars as attorney Davis McLean in the hit series (Picture: Bauer-Griffin/GC Images)

Method Man is in awe of Mary J Blige’s performance in Power Book II: Ghost and has revealed the spin-off series was ‘written exclusively’ for the singer. 

Blige, 50, is one of the lead stars in the acclaimed Power spin-off starring as Monet Tejada alongside Michael Rainey Jr as Ghost’s son Tariq St Patrick and Method Man as lawyer Davis McLean. 

Viewers have been impressed with Blige’s turn as the Tejada drug queenpin and stern family matriarch who takes Tariq under her wing. 

However, perhaps no one has been more impressed than her longtime friend Method Man, who heaped praise on his co-star. 

Speaking to Metro.co.uk ahead of Ghost season 2, the actor said: ‘Mary brought a big audience with her, they knew what they was doing. Plus, Mary was a fan of this show and I think this show was written exclusively for her, especially with the Monet character which I think she is brilliant at.’ 

He continued: ‘I love seeing Mary outside of her comfort zone as far as being on-stage and singing and all that. She’s been getting her feet wet in this acting game and there’s only room for improvement and she has all my support. 

‘Mary’s not regular at all, she’s more real. This is our royalty regardless of how anyone else feels about her, Mary is our royalty and we’re not going to let anyone tarnish this brand. 

‘She’s bringing it this season – I just wish she’d hug her kids [laugh] but in the business she’s in, she can’t be soft at all, it’s got to be tough love all around the board and she’s killing it.’ 

Method Man, real name Clifford Smith Jr, will himself return as slick yet slightly shady attorney Davis. 

Teasing what’s to come from the high-powered lawyer in season 2, the rapper said: ‘You will still know who Davis McLean is, he won’t be a character you don’t recognise in season 2 but his motivations are more broad. It goes beyond just being in a courtroom, he wants power. A seat at the table kind of power.

‘Where won’t he go? Davis is very calculated and he also has a backstory which they’re going to explore a little bit which is where the Redman character comes in but at the end of the day, Davis McLean is who he is, he’s all about winning and even the move he made with Cooper Saxe was calculated. 

‘Who better to have on your team than the former US attorney who knows how the federal court system works? He’s playing chess while everyone else is playing chequers.’ 

Fans of Method Man’s iconic hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan will be anticipating the on-screen reunion between the rapper and his groupmate Redman, who joins the Ghost cast for the first time this season. 

‘What you’re going to get out of that is seeing a side of Davis that no one sees,’ Method Man teased. 

He added that Redman will bring out a ‘shift in Davis’ demeanour’ as he’s with his older brother. 

The chemistry between Method Man and Redman is natural with the pair making history together as members of Wu-Tang. However, when it comes to their TV work, it’s all business. 

He said: ‘When Doc [Redman’s nickname] comes, you would think it’d be jokes and everything but we come serious and ready to play because time is money, money is time and there’s people that show up there hours before we do to make sure we look good. So who are we to play around with their time as well. When we show up to set, “You good bro? Alright, let’s get it”.’ 

Method Man won applause for his captivating turn as Davis in season 1 with it being one of the more serious roles in his career so far. 

‘I thank 50 and Courteney for even giving me a shot to show what I can do,’ the actor explained. ‘I’m super duper grateful and blessed. I knew it already but the fact they gave me a platform to show it, I believe it’s opening a few eyes in Hollywood.’ 

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Referring to his supporting actor in a drama series win in 2019, he added: ‘I ended up with an NAACP Image Award, you dig, and emphasis on the word “image” because prior to this – stoner, jokester, hip hop, rapper – “put him all in that box there”. It was all of that. 

‘Now people put me – I’m still all of that – but now they look at me different like, oh this guy can get the job done. I love that.’ 

Power Book II: Ghost S2 premieres Sunday 21 November on STARZPLAY.

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