Raising Kanan Creator Sascha Penn Says He Didn’t Cast Wife Leslie Grossman in Season 5

Sascha Penn says his wife Leslie Grossman’s role in Power Book III: Raising Kanan Season 5 wasn’t the result of favoritism, revealing that the casting idea came from the show’s writers rather than from him.

Leslie Grossman Joins the Final Season

July 04, 2026 – The fifth and final season of Power Book III: Raising Kanan welcomes a notable new addition to its cast with actress Leslie Grossman taking on the recurring role of Flossie, a powerful New York City madam.

While Grossman’s casting naturally attracted attention because she is married to the series’ creator and showrunner, Sascha Penn, the television writer says he had nothing to do with choosing her for the role. Instead, he insists the decision came about organically during the show’s creative process.

Grossman’s character is expected to play an important part in the final chapter of the hit Starz crime drama as several storylines begin to converge.

Credit: Starz

Sascha Penn Clears Up the Casting Speculation

Penn recently addressed the assumptions surrounding Grossman’s casting, explaining that the character of Flossie had already been created before anyone suggested his wife’s name.

According to Penn, while the writers were discussing who should portray the new character, writer Naja Rayne suggested Grossman for the part. Penn immediately agreed that she would be a strong fit but stressed that the idea did not originate with him.

The showrunner admitted he never attempted to take credit for the casting decision, saying it was simply a great suggestion that ultimately became reality.

The Timing Made the Casting Even More Interesting

At the time Grossman was cast, she and Penn were engaged but had not publicly shared much about their relationship. Because they had largely kept their romance private, many people involved with the production were unaware of their engagement.

Their relationship later became public, and the couple eventually married. Looking back, Penn says the circumstances surrounding the casting were entirely coincidental rather than a deliberate effort to work together professionally.

For both Penn and Grossman, the experience became an unexpected opportunity to collaborate on one of television’s most successful crime dramas while maintaining a professional separation between the creative and casting processes.

Who Is Flossie in Raising Kanan?

Grossman joins the series as Florence “Flossie” Siegel, a well-connected New York madam whose influence extends into the criminal underworld. Although the character is new to the Power universe, she arrives during a pivotal point in the show’s final season.

As alliances continue to shift and rivalries intensify, Flossie’s connections could have a significant impact on several key characters. While the series has kept many details about her storyline under wraps, viewers can expect her arrival to introduce new complications as the story approaches its conclusion.

Credit: Jamie McCarthy/G I

A New Face in the Final Chapter

Season 5 marks the final installment of Power Book III: Raising Kanan, bringing years of storytelling to a close. The series continues to follow Kanan Stark’s transformation into the character first introduced in the original Power series, with the final episodes promising major twists and emotional farewells.

Grossman’s addition brings a fresh dynamic to an already established cast while expanding the criminal world surrounding Kanan. Even though questions about her casting have generated headlines, Penn maintains that the decision was based entirely on finding the right actress for the role rather than their personal relationship.

Working Together Without Mixing Business and Family

Although Sascha Penn and Leslie Grossman are married, both have emphasized the importance of keeping their personal and professional lives separate. Penn explained that the casting process followed the same creative standards used for every character on the series, and Grossman’s involvement came only after the role had already been developed.

Grossman has also spoken positively about the opportunity to work alongside her husband, describing it as a rewarding experience rather than something they actively pursued. Their collaboration reflects a shared respect for each other’s careers while maintaining the professional boundaries expected on a major television production.

The couple’s story has attracted attention not simply because they are married, but because Penn has been transparent about how the casting unfolded behind the scenes.

Leslie Grossman Brings a New Dynamic to the Series

Grossman is best known for her work across television, particularly in comedy and drama, making Raising Kanan another notable addition to her résumé. Her arrival introduces a fresh personality into the show’s already complex criminal underworld.

As Flossie, she portrays a well-connected New York madam whose influence stretches across powerful circles. While viewers are only beginning to learn about the character, her connections are expected to create new opportunities and conflicts for several established players during the show’s final season.

With the series entering its concluding chapter, every new character carries greater significance, and Flossie appears poised to become an important part of the unfolding story.

The Final Season Raises the Stakes

Season 5 marks the end of Power Book III: Raising Kanan, bringing years of storytelling to its conclusion. The latest episodes continue Kanan Stark’s transformation into the hardened character first introduced in the original Power while raising the emotional stakes for everyone around him.

Showrunner Sascha Penn has described the final season as the culmination of years of character development, promising difficult choices, shifting alliances, and emotional consequences that have been building since the series premiered. With every episode, the story moves closer to completing Kanan’s origin story.

The addition of new faces like Leslie Grossman’s Flossie ensures the final season continues to surprise audiences while expanding the world surrounding Kanan.

What Penn’s Comments Reveal

Penn’s explanation about Grossman’s casting offers fans an interesting look behind the scenes of television production. By clarifying that the idea originated in the writers’ room rather than from him personally, he addressed concerns about favoritism while highlighting how collaborative the creative process can be.

His comments also demonstrate the importance of finding the right performer for a role, regardless of personal relationships. In this case, Penn believes the writers identified the best actress for Flossie, and the fact that she happened to be his wife was purely coincidental.

As Raising Kanan heads toward its finale, the focus remains on delivering a satisfying conclusion to one of the most successful entries in the Power franchise.

FAQs

Who is Leslie Grossman playing in Power Book III: Raising Kanan Season 5?

Leslie Grossman plays Florence “Flossie” Siegel, a powerful New York City madam introduced in the show’s fifth and final season.

Did Sascha Penn cast his wife in Raising Kanan?

No. Penn said the idea came from writer Naja Rayne after the character had already been created, and he did not initiate the casting.

When did Sascha Penn and Leslie Grossman get married?

The couple privately eloped in July 2025 before later celebrating their marriage with a New Year’s Eve gathering hosted by Ryan Murphy.

Is Season 5 the final season of Raising Kanan?

Yes. Starz confirmed that Season 5 serves as the final chapter of Power Book III: Raising Kanan.

What role does Flossie play in the story?

Flossie is a well-connected New York madam whose arrival introduces new relationships and complications as the series approaches its conclusion.