The Chi ( SHY) is an American drama television series created by Lena Waithe about life in a neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. 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+.
Contents
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."
Cast
Main
Jason Mitchell as Brandon Johnson (seasons 1–2)
Ntare Mwine as Ronnie Davis (seasons 1–3)
Jacob Latimore as Emmett Washington
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), Emmett's mother
Armando Riesco as Detective Cruz (seasons 1–2), a South Side detective
Rolando Boyce as Darnell Carway (seasons 2–8), Emmett's father
Barton Fitzpatrick as Reg Taylor (seasons 2 and 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 (seasons 2–8; recurring season 1), Kevin and Jake's friend
Michael V. Epps as Jake Taylor (seasons 2–8; recurring season 1), Kevin and Papa's best friend and Trig and Reg's younger brother
Birgundi Baker as Kiesha Williams (seasons 3–8; recurring seasons 1–2), Kevin's older sister and Emmett's girlfriend
Luke James as Victor "Trig" Taylor (seasons 4–8; recurring season 3), Reg and Jake's estranged gangster older brother
Curtiss Cook as Otis "Douda" Perry (seasons 4–6; recurring seasons 2–3), the leader of the 63rd Street Mob
Recurring
Lucien Cambric as Jason Roxboro (season 1), "Q" and Tracy's son who is also Ronnie's stepson
Jahking Guillory as Charles Frederick "Coogie" Johnson (seasons 1 and 5–6), Brandon's younger brother
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 and Trice's mentor
Tosin Morohunfola as Trice (season 1), the underboss of the 63rd Street Mob
Byron Bowers as Meldrick (season 1), a psychic gangster
Sonja Sohn as Laverne Johnson (seasons 1 and 3–4), Brandon's mother
Cedric Young as Sonny (seasons 1–3), Q's and Alicia's brother who is also 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 season 3) Jake, Trig and Reg's mother who is a recovering heroin addict
José Antonio García as Mr. Gasca (seasons 1–2), Kevin's teacher
Genesis Denise Hale as Maisha, Kevin's love interest and Andrea's cousin
Mariah Gordon as Andrea (season 1), Kevin's first crush
Episodes
Production
On January 30, 2018, Showtime renewed the series for a second season which premiered on April 7, 2019. On April 30, 2019, Showtime renewed the series for a third season which premiered on June 21, 2020. On May 20, 2019, it was announced that Jason Mitchell would not be returning to the show for the third season because of "misconduct allegations". His character was killed off in the latter season's premiere. On September 8, 2020, Showtime renewed the series for a fourth season which premiered on May 23, 2021. In March 2021, production on the series was paused due to a positive COVID-19 test. On August 2, 2021, after the conclusion of the fourth season, it was announced that the series was renewed for a fifth season. The fifth season premiered on June 24, 2022. On August 18, 2022, the series was renewed for a sixth season before the conclusion of the fifth season. On May 8, 2024, Paramount+ with Showtime renewed the series for a seventh season that wrapped production on early October 2024. 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. On May 29, 2025, the series was renewed for an eighth season. On October 1, 2025, it was reported that the eighth season is going to be the final season. Production on the eighth season started in January 2026. The eighth and final season premiered on May 22, 2026 on Paramount+.
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.
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." On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 73 out of 100 based on 22 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
