Why Power Creator Moved To Netflix For Gritty New 8-Part Crime Thriller Nemesis After 12 Years

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Courtney Kemp, the creator of the hit show Power, has explained why she chose Netflix for her next project.

Courtney Kemp developed and produced the popular crime drama Power alongside Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. The series centers on a powerful drug dealer and nightclub owner trying to go straight and build a legitimate business. Power first aired on Starz in June 2014, starting with eight episodes, and ran for six seasons, concluding in February 2020 after a total of 63 episodes.

I have to say, Power really blew up! It wasn’t just a hit, it launched a whole universe of shows – four spinoffs already, with Power: Origins on the way. A lot of people, myself included, think Courtney Kemp’s show is one of the best crime thrillers ever, and it’s amazing how much people are still watching and talking about it, even six years after it originally wrapped up.

Now with her new show, Nemesis, creator Mara Brock Akil is opening up about leaving Starz and teaming up with Netflix. In a recent interview with Grant Hermanns from ScreenRant, Akil explained her decision and why moving to a bigger platform felt like the right step. You can read the conversation below.

I don’t want to focus solely on ‘Power,’ but after twelve years with Starz developing that universe, what specifically about Netflix made them the ideal platform to launch ‘Nemesis’?

As a critic, I’ve been following Courtney Kemp’s career closely, and she recently shared some interesting thoughts on the evolution of her hit show, Power. She expressed real gratitude for Starz and the opportunities they gave her, but also pointed out a key dynamic. Initially, Power was a big deal on Starz, but as the show’s popularity exploded, it felt like it outgrew the platform. What’s fascinating is that most of the viewers aren’t even watching Power directly on Starz; they’re finding it through other avenues. It really highlights how viewing habits have changed and how a show can become bigger than its initial home.

Kemp raises a good point about how easily accessible streaming makes shows. Fans can watch on various platforms, and a lot of people who watched Power did so using different services.

With so many people watching shows on streaming services like Netflix at the same time as they air on TV, we designed this new show to appeal to a wider audience. It’s more upbeat, lighter, and generally more enjoyable to watch. Compared to ‘Power,’ which was much darker, more intense, and really captured the feel of New York City – especially its colder, more intimate side – this show is different. Honestly, I rarely rewatch ‘Power’ because I tend to focus on what we could have done better, but it definitely had a very specific, wintery atmosphere.

She explains that Nemesis is designed for a large platform like Netflix, aiming for a more expansive and vibrant feel. Compared to Power, which was darker and more realistic and fit a smaller audience, Nemesis will be bigger, brighter, and more entertaining.

It’s bright, cheerful, and really grabs your attention – it feels like something you’d see on Netflix. The trailer is designed to be exciting and dramatic, giving off that same big, impactful vibe. That’s the main reason behind the style we chose.

She concludes by saying the show feels perfectly suited for Netflix, and she’s thrilled with how ambitious and large-scale it is.

All episodes of Nemesis became available on Netflix on May 13th, and it’s quickly gaining praise for being an exciting, fast-paced show. Many are comparing it to Michael Mann’s Heat. Creator Adam Kemp believes the series is a better fit for Netflix, and it definitely feels bigger and more expansive than previous work. With a complex story and increased budget, Nemesis truly delivers a Netflix-style experience.

Kemp is correct that Nemesis has the potential to be a more ambitious and expansive series than Power. Power sometimes felt too big for Starz. It seems Kemp believed she needed the resources and reach of Netflix to fully realize her vision for Nemesis, and moving to Netflix will likely allow her to create the show she intended.

Creator Kemp, along with Tami Marole, has made a show that’s proving popular with both audiences and reviewers. Although the eight-part crime thriller was initially designed as a one-time series, the people behind ‘Nemesis’ probably want to continue it, and Netflix seems like the perfect platform for them to do so.

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2026-05-18 15:39