“Raising Kanan” kicks off its season with the death of an original character.
Starz
Detective Shannon Burkes (Shanley Caswell) fight for the truth ended with a bullet.
For actress Caswell,Raising Kananwas a major step forward in her life and career.
‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’.Credit:Starz
This show quite literally changed my life, she says.
I feel very grateful for being part of thePoweruniverse and now thePowergraveyard, she tells EW.
We spoke to Caswell about her characters profound sense of justice and how it led to Shannons demise.
Shanley Caswell on ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’.Cara Howe/Starz
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: When did you find out about Shannons death?
I got a call from Sasha [Penn,Raising Kananshowrunner] and it kept breaking up.
I knew it was coming, but I didnt know when.
When I figured out what he was saying, I asked that it be a nice and honorable death.
He assured me it was.
You said you knew it was coming?
It was leading in that direction in season 2.
Shannon had done her job by sowing the seeds of doubt in as many people as she can.
That was sort of what we talked about what was going to happen.
Thats how I knew it was gonna happen in season 3.
What was your initial reaction to finding out Howard would shoot her?
I thought it was great.
It comes down to her always being too stubborn and headstrong trying to prove a point.
Then right after, its 50 Cents voice saying f— the police and it shuts to black.
That was a cool moment.
From your perspective, what does Shannon say that sets him off?
Everything else is skirting the law and lies, but this is concrete, something she can prove.
He feels justified when he finds the tape recorder and gun Shannon had.
She was going to be the end of him and it justifies his decision to murder her.
Cara Howe/Starz
Lets say Shannon got out alive.
How do you see that playing out?
Shannon is desperate at this point.
Shes lost her job, girlfriend and the respect of her father.
She had the gun in case things go south, [but] she wasnt going to hurt Howard.
Shannon wants to get him on record to finally end this.
What was it like shooting that scene with Omar?
Its interesting because Omar and I personally get along so well.
Shannon has such an unrelenting sense of justice.
Can you talk a little about that aspect of the character?
It did lead to her death.
She has a lot stacked against her.
She also had to deal with nepotism because of her father.
[It gave her] this inner fire to prove herself against all odds.
Shes being told to stop because this isnt her place and it makes her dig in her heels harder.
It fuels her stubbornness.
She dies trying to reveal the truth, which is not how you play things in thePoweruniverse.
She was not playing smart and did not understand the world she was in.
Was there anything you wouldve liked to see from Shannon?
There was something really interesting with Jukebox [Hailey Kilgore] that was unexplored.
There was a friendship there and it was really special.
I would have loved to see more of their relationship and how it would have evolved.
Raising Kananairs Fridays on Starz.
