First look at Power Book II: Ghost sees Mary J Blige play business mogul ‘with an iron fist’

POWER may be coming to an end next month but fans won't have to wait long for their next fix as filming has begun on an exciting new spin-off.

Mary J. Blige plays a successful businesswoman in Queens, New York, called Monet and runs her empire "with an iron fist" according to executive producer Courtney A. Kemp.

She told : "Power obviously is a masculine show but has very strong female characters.

"For Mary’s character, we use all the power and presence of the actress to communicate how this is a woman who is remarkable and unique in her abilities.

"She’s as smart, savvy, and strategic as Ghost ever was, but her learning doesn’t come from books.

"We always said Ghost was a bookish kid who read all the time. This woman’s acumen comes from the street.”

In a first look picture from the Starz series, Mary, 49, can be seen in character dressed impeccably in a white coat with an animal print top underneath and large, gold hoop earrings.

Monet points a finger at LaToya Tonodeo who plays her daughter Diana, and gives her a stern look.

The women will be joined in the series by Method Man, who will play an ethically challenged lawyer.

Courtney added: "There are some people from the original show as well as a bunch of new characters.

"It will definitely have a lot of the same elements that you’re used to from Power in terms of criminality, sex, romance, and the legal system.

"Every scene is still about power."

Meanwhile, on Power, fans are desperate to know who shot lead character James "Ghost" St. Patrick, with the final episodes exploring all potential suspects.