Joe Pantoliano Joins 'Power Book III: Raising Kanan' Final Season as Head of Manhattan Mafia

Emmy winner to play Pino Bernardi, the powerful boss of the Manhattan Mafia, in the Starz series' fifth and last season.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Emmy Award-winning actor Joe Pantoliano has joined the cast of Starz's Power Book III: Raising Kanan for its fifth and final season. Pantoliano will play Pino Bernardi, the head of the Manhattan Mafia, in a major recurring role. Pino is described as supremely self-assured and the epitome of the old adage 'speak softly and carry a big stick.' The series explores the early life of Power villain Kanan Stark, originally played by Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson.

Why it matters

Pantoliano's casting as the powerful Manhattan Mafia boss adds another high-profile actor to the final season of the Power prequel series, which has built a loyal following. The character of Pino Bernardi is expected to play a significant role in Kanan's continued evolution from a naive teenager to a ruthless criminal.

The details

In his new role, Pantoliano will join previously announced cast member Leslie Grossman, who will play Florence 'Flossie' Siegel, Manhattan's most prolific madam. Production on the fifth and final season of Power Book III: Raising Kanan concluded last year and is expected to air in 2026. The series explores the early life of Kanan Stark, the iconic Power villain originally played by Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson, and his transformation from a naive teenager to a cutthroat criminal.

  • Production on the fifth and final season of Power Book III: Raising Kanan concluded last year.
  • The fifth season is expected to air in 2026.

The players

Joe Pantoliano

An Emmy Award-winning actor known for his roles in The Sopranos, The Last of Us, and other classic American film and television series.

Pino Bernardi

The head of the Manhattan Mafia, a supremely self-assured character who embodies the old adage 'speak softly and carry a big stick.'

Leslie Grossman

An actress who will play Florence 'Flossie' Siegel, Manhattan's most prolific madam, in the final season of Power Book III: Raising Kanan.

Kanan Stark

The iconic Power villain, originally played by Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson, whose early life is explored in the Power Book III: Raising Kanan prequel series.

Raq

Kanan's mother, played by Patina Miller, who was at the center of an epic showdown with her son in the previous season.

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What’s next

Fans will finally learn Raq's fate when the fifth and final season of Power Book III: Raising Kanan premieres in 2026.

The takeaway

The addition of veteran actor Joe Pantoliano as the powerful head of the Manhattan Mafia further bolsters the star power of the final season of Power Book III: Raising Kanan, as the series prepares to wrap up the early life story of one of Power's most iconic villains, Kanan Stark.