The Chi
GenreDrama
CreatorLena Waithe
Starring
ComposerPatrick Warren
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Num seasons8
Num episodes80
Executive producer
CameraSingle-camera
Runtime46–58 minutes
Company
NetworkShowtime
First airedJanuary 7, 2018
Last airedSeptember 24, 2023
Network 2Paramount+ with Showtime
First aired 2May 12, 2024
Last aired 2present

The Chi (/shai/ SHY) is an American drama television series created by Lena Waithe about life in a neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago.[4] In May 2024, the series was renewed for a seventh season; which premiered on May 18, 2025. In May 2025, the series was renewed for an eighth season. Five months later, it was announced that the eighth season would be the final season. The eighth and final season premiered on May 22, 2026 on Paramount+.

Premise

The Chi is described as following "a fateful turn of events that sends shockwaves through a community on the Southside of Chicago and connects the lives of Emmett, Brandon, Ronnie and Kevin in unexpected ways."[5]

Cast

NamePortrayed bySeasons
12345678
Brandon JohnsonJason Mitchellcolspan="2"colspan="5"
Ronnie DavisNtare Mwinecolspan="3"colspan="4"
Emmett WashingtonJacob Latimorecolspan="8"
Kevin WilliamsAlex R. Hibbertcolspan="6"
Jerrika LittleTiffany Boonecolspan="2"colspan="5"
Jada WashingtonYolonda Rosscolspan="7"
Detective Armando CruzArmando Riescocolspan="2"colspan="5"
Reg TaylorBarton Fitzpatrickcolspan="4"
Jake TaylorMichael V. Eppscolspan="7"
Stanley "Papa" JacksonShamon Brown Jr.colspan="7"
Kiesha WilliamsBirgundi Bakercolspan="2"colspan="8"
Victor "Trig" TaylorLuke Jamescolspan="2"colspan="1"colspan="5"
Otis "Douda" PerryCurtiss Cookcolspan="1"colspan="2"colspan="3"
AliciaLynn Whitfieldcolspan="5"colspan="1"colspan="2"
Riley DaltonWendy Raquel Robinsoncolspan="6"colspan="1"

Main

  • Jason Mitchell as Brandon Johnson[4] (seasons 1–2)
  • Ntare Mwine as Ronnie Davis (seasons 1–3)
  • Jacob Latimore as Emmett Washington[6]
  • Alex R. Hibbert as Kevin Williams (seasons 1–6)
  • Tiffany Boone as Jerrika Little (seasons 1–2), Brandon's girlfriend
  • Yolonda Ross as Jada Washington (seasons 1–7),[6] Emmett's mother
  • Armando Riesco as Detective Cruz (seasons 1–2), A South Side detective
  • Rolando Boyce as Darnell Carway (season 2–present), Emmett's father
  • Barton Fitzpatrick as Reg Taylor (seasons 2, 7–8; recurring; season 1), Trig's younger brother, Jake's older brother and reckless gang leader
  • Shamon Brown Jr. as Stanley "Papa" Jackson II (season 2—present; recurring; season 1), Kevin and Jake's friend
  • Michael V. Epps as Jake Taylor (season 2–present; recurring; season 1), Kevin and Papa's best friend and Trig and Reg's younger brother
  • Birgundi Baker as Kiesha Williams (season 3–present; recurring; seasons 1–2), Kevin's older sister and Emmett's girlfriend [7]
  • Luke James as Victor "Trig" Taylor (season 4–present; recurring; season 3), Reg and Jake's estranged gangster older brother[8]
  • Curtiss Cook as Otis "Douda" Perry (seasons 4–6; recurring; seasons 2–3) Leader of the 63rd Street Mob[9]
  • Lynn Whitfield as Alicia (season 7; recurring season 6), Quentin and Sonny's powerful younger sister
  • Hannaha Hall as Tiffany "Tiff" (season 8;[10] recurring seasons 1–7, the mother of Emmett's third child, EJ [11]
  • Jason Weaver as Rashaad "Shaad" Marshall (season 8;[10] seasons 4–7), Trig's best friend[9]

Recurring

  • Lucien Cambric as Jason Roxboro (season 1) "Q" and Tracy's son, Ronnie's stepson
  • Jahking Guillory as Charles Frederick "Coogie" Johnson (seasons 1, 5, and 6) Brandon's younger brother[12]
  • Brian King as Detective Wallace (season 1), a corrupted detective
  • Steven Williams as Quentin "Q" Dickinson (seasons 1 and 5), a kingpin elder of the 63rd Street Mob, Trice's mentor
  • Tosin Morohunfola as Trice (season 1), underboss of the 63rd Street Mob
  • Byron Bowers as Meldrick, a psychic gangster[13] (season 1)
  • Sonja Sohn as Laverne Johnson (seasons 1, 3 and 4),[12] Brandon's mother
  • Cedric Young as Sonny (seasons 1–3), Q's and Alicia's brother and Emmett's boss
  • LaDonna Tittle as Ethel Davis (seasons 1–3), Ronnie's grandmother
  • Tyla Abercrumbie as Nina Williams (seasons 1–6), Kevin and Keisha's overbearing mother
  • Sherrice Eaglin as Vanessa "Peaches" Taylor (seasons 5–6; guest 3) Jake, Trig and Reg's mother a recovering a heroin addict
  • José Antonio García as Mr. Gasca (seasons 1–2), Kevin's teacher
  • Genesis Denise Hale as Maisha, Kevin's love interest, Andrea's cousin
  • Mariah Gordon as Andrea (season 1), Kevin's first crush
  • Chris Lee as Hannibal (seasons 1–3; 6-7), Brandon and Rob's cousin
  • Tai Davis as Tracy Roxboro, Jason's mother (seasons 1-7)
  • Common as Rafiq (seasons 1–2)
  • Crystal Dickinson as Detective Alice Toussaint (seasons 2 and 7; guest season 6), a mob-obsessed detective
  • Miriam A. Hyman as Dre (season 3–6), Nina's wife who is a high school counselor[14]
  • Jasmine Davis as Imani (seasons 3 and 4), Trig's love interest
  • La La Anthony as Dominque "Dom" Morris (seasons 3–present), Jamal's wife, co-owner of Smokey's BBQ [7]
  • Cortez Smith as Isiah "Nuck" Rogers (season 3–present), Douda's former right-hand man, In season 6 finale, he kills Douda and takes over as new leader of the 63rd Street Mob.
  • Judae'a Brown as Jemma (season 3–present) Jake's love interest, Kevin's former girlfriend
  • Kandi Burruss as Roselyn Perry (season 3–present), Douda's estranged wife[15]
  • Lena Waithe as Camille Hallaway (season 3), Douda's rival mayoral candidate
  • Lil Rel Howery as Zeke Remnick (season 3),[7] Sonny's landlord.
  • L'lerrét Jazelle as Fatima (season 5–present), Victor's love interest
  • Ahmad Ferguson as Bakari (season 3–present) Lynae's love interest, member of the 63rd Street Mob
  • Tabitha Brown as Octavia (season 4)[9]
  • Vic Mensa as Jamal (seasons 4 and 6)Lynae's older brother, former gangster[16]
  • Da Brat as LaPorsha (seasons 4 and 6), Nina's new love interest[16]
  • Cory Hardrict as Dante (season 4–present) Tiff's fling
  • Zaria Imani Primer as Lynae (season 4–present), Jamal's younger sister, Bakari's love interest
  • Iman Shumpert as Rob (seasons 4–6), Tiffany's love interest
  • Amari Ferguson as Britney (season 6), Bakari's sister,
  • Kadeem Hardison as Professor Gardner (season 6), Lynae's college professor
  • Jill Marie Jones as Bianca (season 6) Douda's lover
  • Leon Robinson as Alonzo (season 6), Alicia's ex-husband, Rob's father
  • Kennedy Amaya as Kenya (season 6–present), Papa's love interest, Zay's lover
  • Aaron Guy as Zay (seasons 6–7), Nuck's cousin, Kenya's lover
  • Daniel J. Watts as Pastor Zeke, (seasons 6–7), Kenya's father
  • Brett Gray as Damien (season 6–present), Darnell's son, Emmett's half-brother
  • Rotimi as Charles (season 7–present; guest season 6), a former assistant of Pastor Zeke, who returns to church for a second chance[17]
  • Wendy Raquel Robinson as Riley Dalton (season 7), Darnell's new love interest
  • Joel Steingold as Marcus St. John, Jemma's father (seasons 3–7)

Production

On January 30, 2018, Showtime renewed the series for a second season which premiered on April 7, 2019.[18][19] On April 30, 2019, Showtime renewed the series for a third season which premiered on June 21, 2020.[20][21] On May 20, 2019, it was announced that Jason Mitchell would not be returning to the show for season 3 because of "misconduct allegations". His character was killed off in the season 3 premiere.[22] On September 8, 2020, Showtime renewed the series for a fourth season which premiered on May 23, 2021.[23][24] In March 2021, production on the series was paused due to a positive COVID-19 test.[25] On August 2, 2021, after the conclusion of the fourth season, it was announced that the series was renewed for a fifth season.[26] The fifth season premiered on June 24, 2022.[27] On August 18, 2022, the series was renewed for season six before the conclusion of season five.[28] On May 8, 2024, Paramount+ With Showtime renewed the series for a seventh season[29] that wrapped production on early October 2024.[30] The seventh season premiered on Paramount+ for subscribers of the Paramount+ With Showtime plan on May 16, 2025, before making its air debut two days later on Showtime.[31] On May 29, 2025, the series was renewed for an eighth season.[32] On October 1, 2025, it was reported that the eight season is going to be the final season.[33] Production on season 8 started in January 2026.[34] The eighth and final season is scheduled to premiere on May 22, 2026 on Paramount+.[35]

Release

The Chi premiered on January 7, 2018, on Showtime.

Home media

20th Century Fox Television released Seasons 1 and 2 of The Chi on DVD in Region 1.[36][37]

DVD nameEp #Release date
The Complete First Season10November 10, 2018
The Complete Second Season10December 17, 2019

Reception

Critical response

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds an approval rating of 87% based on 47 reviews, with an average rating of 7.5/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Like an optimistic companion to The Wire, The Chi explores the complexities of life in the South Side of Chicago, with a tender touch and a clear affection for its captivating characters."[38] On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 73 out of 100 based on 22 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[39]

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
2018Black Reel AwardsOutstanding Directing in a Drama SeriesRick Famuyiwa[40]
Outstanding Writing in a Drama SeriesLena Waithe
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama SeriesJacob Latimore
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama SeriesCommon
Outstanding Drama SeriesBarry M. Berg, Common, Derek Dudley, Rick Famuyiwa, Aaron Kaplan, Erin Mitchell, Elwood Reid, Shelby Stone and Lena Waithe
ReFrame StampIMDbPro Top 200 Scripted TV RecipientsThe Chi[41]
2021Gracie Allen AwardsWriter Scripted - DramaLena Waithe[42]
NAACP Image AwardsOutstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited Series)Alex R. Hibbert[43]
ReFrame StampIMDbPro Top 200 Scripted TV RecipientsThe Chi[44]
Young Artist AwardsBest Performance in a TV Series - Leading Young ArtistAlex R. Hibbert[45]
2022GLAAD Media AwardsOutstanding Drama SeriesThe Chi| The Chi[46]

References

  1. ^ DeNeal, Lisa (April 4, 2019). "Writer, Executive Producer Ayanna Floyd Davis is the New Showrunner for Showtime's 'The Chi'". Black Girl Nerds. Archived May 9, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 9, 2019.
  2. ^ Thorne, Will (September 16, 2019). "'The Chi' Ups Justin Hillian to Showrunner, Ayanna Floyd Davis Exits". Variety. Archived June 10, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  3. ^ Petski, Denise (June 16, 2020). "'The Chi's Lena Waithe & Common To Headline Virtual Concert Fundraiser For Equal Justice Initiative". Deadline. Archived June 17, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  4. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 9, 2017). "Showtime Picks Up Drama 'The Chi' To Series; Jason Mitchell Joins Cast – TCA". Deadline Hollywood. Archived August 9, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  5. ^ Evans, Greg (October 18, 2017). "'The Chi' Teaser Trailer: Showtime's Hour Drama Sets Premiere Date". Deadline Hollywood. Archived January 23, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 17, 2018.
  6. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 24, 2017). "'The Chi': Jacob Latimore & Yolonda Ross Join Showtime Drama In Recasting". Deadline Hollywood. Archived August 9, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  7. ^ Petski, Denise (September 16, 2019). "'The Chi': Justin Hillian Named New Showrunner As Ayanna Floyd Davis Exits; Birgundi Baker Upped To Series Regular; Luke James, La La Anthony & Lil Rel Howery To Recur". Deadline. Archived June 21, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  8. ^ Petski, Denise (January 15, 2021). "'The Chi': Luke James Upped To Series Regular For Season 4 Of Showtime Drama". Deadline Hollywood. Archived January 16, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  9. ^ Petski, Denise (February 8, 2021). "'The Chi':Curtiss Cook Upped To Series Regular For Season 4; Tabitha Brown & Jason Weaver Join As Recurring". Deadline Hollywood. Archived February 8, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  10. ^ Petski, Denise (January 29, 2026). "'The Chi' Ups Hannaha Hall & Jason Weaver To Series Regulars For Season 8". Deadline Hollywood. Archived January 29, 2026 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 29, 2026.
  11. ^ Hale, Mike (April 5, 2019). "Review: 'The Chi' Returns to the South Side of Chicago". The New York Times. Archived June 20, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  12. ^ Swartz, Tracy (April 10, 2017). "Stars of Showtime drama 'The Chi' arrive in Chicago for filming". Chicago Tribune. Archived August 9, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  13. ^ "The Chi, The Chi Showtime, The Chi Lena Waithe, The Chi Chicago: Meldrick: the psychic gangster". Archived June 15, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  14. ^ Petski, Denise (September 27, 2019). "'Filthy Rich' Casts Rachel York; Miriam A. Hyman Joins 'The Chi'". Deadline. Archived June 22, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  15. ^ Petski, Denise (September 26, 2019). "'The Chi': Kandi Burruss To Recur In Season 3 Of Showtime Series". Deadline. Archived June 19, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
  16. ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (April 7, 2021). "'Black Monday' Adds Thomas Barbusca & Adrienne Wells As Recurring; Vic Mensa To Recur On 'The Chi'". Deadline. Archived September 3, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
  17. ^ Morales, Wilson (June 29, 2024). "Rotimi joins The Chi Season 7". BlackFilmandTV. Archived July 3, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  18. ^ Swift, Andy (January 30, 2018). "Showtime Renews The Chi, Names New Showrunner for Season 2". TVLine. Archived January 30, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 30, 2018.
  19. ^ Green, Steve (January 31, 2019). "'The Chi' Season 2 Trailer: Showtime Drama Continues Look at All Sides of Chicago". IndieWire. Archived February 1, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  20. ^ Nemetz, Dave (April 30, 2019). "TVLine Items: The Chi Renewed, Westworld Casts Villain and More". TVLine. Archived April 30, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  21. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 1, 2020). "Showtime: 'Black Monday' & 'Billions' Seasons Split Into 2 By COVID-19 Shutdown, 'The Chi' Premiere Moved Up". Deadline Hollywood. Archived April 1, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  22. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 20, 2019). "Jason Mitchell Fired By UTA & Authentic, Dropped By 'The Chi' & 'Desperados' Over Misconduct Allegations". Deadline Hollywood. Archived May 20, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
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  24. ^ Grobar, Matt (March 20, 2021). "Showtime Sets Premiere Dates For 'The Chi,' 'Black Monday' & New Comedy 'Flatbush Misdemeanors'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived March 21, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 20, 2021.
  25. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 21, 2021). "'The Chi' Pauses Production After Positive Covid-19 Test". Deadline. Archived March 23, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  26. ^ Roots, Kimberly (August 2, 2021). "The Chi Renewed for Season 5". TVLine. Archived August 2, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  27. ^ Pedersen, Erik (April 19, 2022). "'The Chi' Season 5 Premiere Date Set At Showtime; Jewel Coronel Upped to EP". Deadline Hollywood. Archived April 19, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  28. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (August 18, 2022). "'The Chi' Renewed For Season 6 By Showtime". Deadline. Archived September 3, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  29. ^ Rice, Lynette (May 8, 2024). "'The Chi' Renewed For Seventh Season By Paramount+ with Showtime". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  30. ^ Roche, Barbara (October 4, 2024). "The Chi will wrap filming of Season 7 on October 9". Reel Chicago. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  31. ^ The Deadline TV Team (March 19, 2025). "'The Chi': Paramount+ with Showtime Sets Return Date For Lena Waithe Drama". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  32. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 29, 2025). "'The Chi' Renewed For Season 8 By Showtime Following Strong Season 7 Debut". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 29, 2025.
  33. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (October 1, 2025). "'The Chi' To End With Season 8 On Showtime; "It's The Right Thing," Creator Lena Waithe Says". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 1, 2025.
  34. ^ Petski, Denise (January 29, 2026). "'The Chi' Ups Hannaha Hall & Jason Weaver To Series Regulars For Season 8". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  35. ^ Petski, Denise (April 23, 2026). "'The Chi' Sets Release Date For 8th & Final Season; Unveils Teaser". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  36. ^ "The Chi: The Complete First Season"
  37. ^ "The Chi: The Complete Second Season"
  38. ^ "The Chi: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  39. ^ "The Chi Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  40. ^ "Black Reel Awards for Television (2018)". IMDb. Archived September 25, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 28, 2020.
  41. ^ Pedersen, Erik (November 14, 2018). "ReFrame Gives 62 TV Shows Its Gender-Balance Seal Of Approval; Group's First Small-Screen Stamps". Deadline. Archived July 28, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  42. ^ Hipes, Patrick (June 9, 2021). "Gracie Awards Set Winners; Honorees Include Kerry Washington, Taylor Swift, Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, 'Mrs. America'". Deadline. Archived June 5, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  43. ^ Davis, Clayton (February 2, 2021). "Viola Davis, Tyler Perry and Regina King Up for Entertainer of the Year at 2021 NAACP Image Awards". Variety. Archived February 24, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  44. ^ Cordero, Rosy (July 20, 2021). "ReFrame Gives 117 Shows Gender-Balance Seal of Approval Including 'Pose,' 'Bridgerton,' 'WandaVision,' More". Deadline. Archived July 20, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  45. ^ "2021 Nominees Showcase". youngartistacademy.info. Archived April 24, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
  46. ^ "The Nominees for the 33rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards". GLAAD. September 15, 2021. Archived March 9, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 28, 2022.

Notes

  1. ^ Season 1 only.
  2. ^ Seasons 1 - 4.
  3. ^ Seasons 7 - 8.
  4. ^ Seasons 5 - 8.
  5. ^ Seasons 6 - 8
  6. ^ Known as Fox 21 Television Studios and Touchstone Television for the first three seasons.
  7. ^ Known as Showtime Networks for the first seven seasons.