April 13, 2022

POWER BOOK: IV Star Gabrielle Ryan Wants A New POWER Prequel for Gloria

When the hit series POWER came to an end in 2020, fans of the franchise thought it was over. They were wrong (thankfully), and sure enough, early this year, the STARZ network announced that they would be producing a spin-off series, POWER BOOK: IV.

The series follows lead Tommy Egan as he “puts New York in his rear-view mirror for good.” Rising Hollywood star and fan-favorite Gabrielle Ryan was cast as Gloria in the series. After an emotional first season, while being on the edge of your seat, the series called for an end-of-the-road for Gloria.

When asked about how Gloria could return to the Power Universe, Gabrielle Ryan says, “I actually think a prequel to Gloria in FORCE would be an awesome spin-off. The backstories and ideas I had and created with my private coach Toby Sandeman were amazing. There was nothing I didn’t know about Gloria when I got started, so to explore some of her backstories would be amazing.” 

“Her Jamaican roots. How she ended up always surrounded by these gangster guys. Why she is so comfortable in that world. She’s so spicy and mysterious, so I think it would be full of twists and turns.”

Gabrielle doesn’t let the world tie her down. Her philosophy in life is to keep working harder and harder despite what you’ve been through. The actress says, “Everyone has a story. Nobody cares; work harder.”

We had a chance to catch up with the star for her #ContrastFemme cover story. Be sure to check out the full interview below.

Contrast: Take me back to when you first got into acting. How did you become the actress we know today?

Gabrielle: I always loved performing and was very comfortable in front of the camera, much more than on stage. I did lots of commercials. (I actually thought I was going to be a TV presenter) I wanted to go to drama school as a child badly. In the UK we have a school called The Brit School. I tried to convince my mum to let me got there and she was having none of it. It’s a much longer story but essentially I ended up saving up money from 4 different jobs, packing my bags and heading to New York to attend The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute and that’s really where my acting journey started. However, Toby Sandeman made me the actress you know today. He taught me everything I know.

Contrast: Tell me about a time where were truly inspired by someone in entertainment.

Gabrielle: I’m constantly inspired by the young activist queen Yara Shahidi. She’s so intelligent, elegant & eloquent and carries herself so well. She’s a very classy young lady with a lot to say.

Contrast: You recently said there could be 10 spinoffs of Power and you would be happy with that. What would be a good spinoff story involving Gloria?

Gabrielle: I actually think a prequel to Gloria in FORCE would be an awesome spin off. The backstories and ideas I had and created with my private coach Toby Sandeman were amazing. There was nothing I didn’t know about Gloria when I got started so to explore some of her backstory would be amazing. Her Jamaican roots. How she ended up always surrounded by these gangster guys. Why she is so comfortable in that world. She’s so spicy and mysterious, so I think it would be full of twists and turns. 

Contrast: Tell me about your first day filming for Power. What was that first day on set like?

Gabrielle: The first day on set was a very interesting experience I’ll never forget. It was my first sex scene with Tommy (Joseph Sikora). I’d never done a sex scene before and it was literally the first time we were on set together. He is amazing though, he made me feel so comfortable. We had a blast!

Contrast: What is your philosophy in life?

Gabrielle: Everyone has a story, Nobody cares, Work harder.

Contrast: How would you describe yourself?

Gabrielle: A romantic, bubbly, confident over thinker.

Contrast: What’s next? What do you have coming up?

Gabrielle: I will circle back when I’m allowed to say.

Contrast: The definition of Contrast is ‘to be strikingly different.’ What makes you strikingly different?

Gabrielle: Oooh great question! I think literally just being me. Embracing all the amazing cultures I have in me, accepting my little quirks and trying to not ever conform for anything or anyone.

Photography by Michael J.
Produced + Styled by Oliver Brown.
Makeup by Stephen Moleski.
Hair by Danni Katz.
Styling Assisted by Safa Haque.

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