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, played by Omari Hardwick.

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, Randall Emmett, and David Knoller also serve as executive producers. The series is being produced in association with CBS Television Studios.

The cast is led by Omari Hardwick who is joined by Naturi Naughton as Tasha St. Patrick, wife, confidant and willing accomplice to James; Joseph Sikora as Tommy Egan, childhood best friend and business partner to “Ghost” and Lela Loren plays Angela Valdes, an old flame of James’s who unexpectedly reenters his life.

Rounding out the cast are Andy Bean, Sinqua Walls, Adam Huss, Greg Serano, Lucy Walters, Kathrine Narducci, Luis Antonio Ramos, La La Anthony, Elizabeth Röhm, J.R. Ramirez and Debbi Morgan.

The series is expected to premiere on STARZ in 2014.