Byron Nelson
Television is often a blend of talent, timing, and a touch of fate. Such is the case with Shane Harper’s remarkable journey to landing the role of Victor Flynn in “Power Book IV: Force.” In a recent interview with the Crew Has It hosted by Gianni Paolo and Kris D. Lofton this week, Harper shared how he came to join the cast of the highly acclaimed “Power” franchise, working alongside iconic figures like 50 Cent and Joseph Sikora.
Harper’s journey began with a chance encounter at an event in Los Angeles. As fate would have it, both 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) and Joseph Sikora were present, and Harper was introduced to them by Jeff Hirsch, an executive at Starz. It was a moment that would change the course of his career.
Harper recalled the moment, saying, “It was something for promo, it was upfronts, and 50 was there. I met 50 and Joe. Jeff Hirsch was like, ‘Shane, meet 50, meet Joseph. Maybe there’s something for you on one of the Power shows.'”
Having been aware of the immense popularity and influence of the “Power” series, Harper was intrigued. He recognized that “Power” had become a cultural phenomenon and understood the significance of being part of such a groundbreaking show, even though he had only seen a few episodes at that point.
Harper explained, “I obviously knew what it was, and I knew Joseph, and I knew that when I think of Starz, I think of Power. Everyone knows the show.”
After receiving an audition script, Harper submitted his audition tape. However, initially, there were doubts about his suitability for the role due to concerns about his age. Fortunately, this setback did not deter him.
Harper continued, “They called me up like four days after I booked this movie, and they were like, ‘Hey, can you screen test?’ You know, I had this movie offer in hand, and I really wanted to do the film because it was a great project with a great script.”
Harper found himself facing a life-altering decision—choosing between the movie offer and the potential role in the “Power” series. The weight of this decision was not lost on him, given the enormity of the “Power” franchise.
He revealed, “I had these two things. Do I do this movie, or do I do Power? It’s patented Power. It’s a giant TV show.”
The screen test, conducted over Zoom, was a nerve-wracking experience for Harper. The audition scene was intense, involving dramatic confrontations between his character, Victor Flynn, and Joseph Sikora’s character, Tommy Egan.
Harper recalled, “The scene was crazy. We’re both pulling guns on each other over Zoom with all the executives watching. It was like, ‘Is this stuff, is he?'” The audition also included an improv version, which added to the pressure.
Ultimately, Harper’s talent and dedication paid off when he received the offer to join the cast of “Power Book IV: Force.” Overwhelmed with emotion, he accepted the role with gratitude and excitement.
He concluded, “I couldn’t believe it, man. I cried. I was like, ‘This is gonna change my life.'”
Shane Harper’s journey to becoming Victor Flynn in “Power Book IV: Force” serves as a testament to his determination, talent, and the unpredictable twists and turns that can lead to incredible opportunities in the world of entertainment. As he takes on this pivotal role, fans can expect to see a rising star shine even brighter in the “Power” universe.
