From Power to Nemesis: New City, New Process
Speaking with Deadline, Kemp discussed her move from Starz—which aired Power—to Netflix, following her signing of a multi-year exclusive contract. More than a business transition, the shift sparked fundamental changes in how she writes.
Writing for Netflix Means Adapting for Bingewatching
Kemp explained that streaming on Netflix changes everything about crafting a series. She shared:
“To put it simply, the way Netflix counts views and full watch rates is very different from creating television content. This changed my way of writing. I need you to stick around for the next episode. I never had that pressure with Power. […] I had to come back a week later, so the series had to end with an unbearable cliffhanger—a suspense that people would talk about all week.”
With Power, viewers were caught up in weekly anticipation between episodes. For Nemesis on Netflix, the suspense needed to be immediate—and continuous—as many viewers chose to watch several episodes back-to-back.
“At the end of each episode of Nemesis, I have to leave you with a question you need answered right away. […] And to get that answer, you have to stay put and watch the next one. Netflix helps me with the countdown before the next episode: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1… This isn’t the kind of suspense meant to last a week. What I have to do on Netflix is keep you hooked and make you say: I just can’t go to bed yet.”
Two Shows, Two Kinds of Suspense
The differences in those writing approaches naturally led to very different types of suspense. Nemesis is built for immersive, non-stop viewing, with cliffhangers designed for immediate payoff. Power worked its magic through slow builds and lingering questions that sparked discussions all week long.
Whether Nemesis matched the widespread impact of Power—which expanded into its own universe with multiple seasons and spin-offs—remains to be seen. One thing’s certain: Kemp’s talent for leaving viewers wanting more is undiminished.
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