Lamar Jackson, the quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens and two-time NFL MVP, has formally exchanged playbooks for scripts. Jackson debuted as an actor on May 9 in the crime thriller “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” on Starz, where he played a heartless enforcer named E-Tone. Both TV and NFL fans were shocked by the unexpected appearance.
Lamar Jackson Shocks Fans With Gritty Acting Debut in ‘Power Book III: Raising Kanan’
Jackson’s character E-Tone works under Unique, a role played by rapper and actor Joey Bada$$. Though new to the acting world, Jackson’s presence was anything but timid. In a pivotal scene inside a club bathroom, E-Tone executes a ruthless killing, showing viewers a side of Jackson far removed from the football field.
𝗧𝗥𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚: Ravens superstar QB Lamar Jackson assassinated a guy in the bathroom in his acting debut on the hit TV show Raising Kanan.
Lamar is one of the best actors in the NFL 👀 pic.twitter.com/uhr8lqxO1v
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 9, 2025
This wasn’t a blink-and-miss moment either. Jackson’s appearance carried weight and intensity, surprising many fans who never expected to see their franchise QB turn into a fictional hitman. According to Starz, this marks Jackson’s first-ever scripted role.
Jackson’s involvement in Raising Kanan didn’t come out of nowhere. Back in 2023, he posted on social media expressing his love for the show and his interest in making a cameo. The series’ creator, Sascha Penn, took note and offered him the opportunity this season. Jackson, already a fan of the show, was more than eager to step in front of the camera.
“I’m around Joey Bada$$ and these guys, I don’t want to mess up the line and have those guys redoing it. They’ve been here, they’re professional, that’s their job,” Jackson said in an interview with People. “I just didn’t want to mess up and have them redo it. And I don’t think I really did, to be honest.”
The role of E-Tone fits snugly within Raising Kanan’s gritty universe. Jackson enters the scene with quiet menace, immediately signaling that his character is not one to be taken lightly. The episode’s emotionally charged moments and strong language reflect the show’s streetwise tone, making Jackson’s chilling performance even more striking.
Though it’s too soon to tell if this marks the beginning of a second career, Jackson clearly impressed in his brief but memorable screen time. Still, his day job remains secure—he’s coming off a stellar NFL season with 4,172 passing yards, 915 rushing yards, and 45 total touchdowns.
As Jackson himself said, “I’m so excited for fans to see me in this new role and thrilled to be a part of Raising Kanan.” Judging by the reactions online, the fans were just as thrilled—and stunned—as he was.