The Chi is coming to an end. The upcoming eighth season of the Chicago-set drama series created by Lena Waithe will be its last on Paramount+ with Showtime. The decision comes ahead of the start of production on Season 8, slated for early next year, allowing the creative team to craft a proper ending.
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| 'The Chi': Tai Davis as Tracy, Lynn Whitfield as Alicia, Hannaha Hall as Tiff, Birgundi Baker as Kiesha and Yolonda Ross as Jada. Credit: Chris Lowe/Paramount+ with Showtime |
“When I created
The Chi, it wasn’t just about making a TV show — it was about owning our narratives and telling our stories with truth, care, nuance and complexity. It was about showing the soul of the South Side — the beauty, the pain, the grit, and the magic that lives in every block, and in every family,” Waithe said in a statement to
Deadline. “After much reflection, we have made the decision to end
The Chi with season 8. I know, for the sake of our story and our characters, it’s the right thing. I am committed to delivering a final season that our
Chi Family deserves.”
This is the second major programming decision by the new Paramount regime on a Showtime series. Last month they commissioned a writers room for
Dexter: Resurrection season two starring Michael C. Hall while
canceling prequel series Dexter: Original Sin after one season.
With its 8 seasons, The Chi has tied Dexter, Homeland and Weeds for the second-longest running series in Showtime’s history, only behind Shameless and its 11 seasons. It also is the longest running Black drama on premium cable/streaming.
“It’s been the honor of my life to build a platform for artists to shine — not just in front of the camera, but behind the scenes as well,” Waithe said. “To helm the longest-running Black drama on television is a huge honor and it’s something I don’t take lightly.”
From 20th Television, The Chi is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption. The drama, which debuted in 2018, films in the Windy City.
The most recent seventh season, which delivered the series’ most-streamed premiere, wrapped its run on Showtime Aug. 1. Its ensemble cast included Jacob Latimore, Lynn Whitfield, Yolonda Ross, Shamon Brown Jr., Michael V. Epps, Birgundi Baker and Luke James. Kadeem Hardison, Chris Lee, Brett Gray, Rotimi, Jackie Long, Charmin Lee, Jill Marie Jones and Daniel J. Watts returned to guest star, alongside Hannaha Hall, Jason Weaver, La La Anthony, Vic Mensa, Kandi Burruss, Tai Davis, Rolando Boyce, Ahmad Ferguson, Cortez Smith, Genesis Denise Hale, Joel Steingold, Judae’a Brown, Zaria Imani Primer, L’lerrét Jazelle and Brian Keys.
Emmy winner Waithe executive produces The Chi under her Hillman Grad banner alongside co-showrunners Justin Hillian of Hillianaire Productions and Jewel Coronel via Uncut Gems as well as Common, Aaron Kaplan of Kapital Entertainment, Rick Famuyiwa, Resheida Brady-Anderson, Derek Dudley and Shelby Stone of ID8 Multimedia, along with Naomi Funabashi and Rishi Rajani. Supervising producers Deondray Gossfield and Quincy LeNear Gossfield directed multiple Season 7 episodes.
“I’m deeply grateful to every single person who helped build this world — our writers, actors and crew who give so much of themselves to make this show what it is,” Waithe said. “As for what the future holds, I still plan on telling stories, continuing to build community, and making space for us all to be seen.”
According to sources, conversations are underway with Waithe about extending her relationship with Paramount to future projects across the company.
Here is Waithe’s statement in full:
When I created The Chi, it wasn’t just about making a TV show — it was about owning our narratives and telling our stories with truth, care, nuance and complexity. It was about showing the soul of the South Side — the beauty, the pain, the grit, and the magic that lives in every block, and in every family.
After much reflection, we have made the decision to end The Chi with season 8. I know, for the sake of our story and our characters, it’s the right thing. I am committed to delivering a final season that our Chi Family deserves.
It’s been the honor of my life to build a platform for artists to shine — not just in front of the camera, but behind the scenes as well. To helm the longest-running Black drama on television is a huge honor and it’s something I don’t take lightly.
I’m deeply grateful to every single person who helped build this world — our writers, actors and crew who give so much of themselves to make this show what it is.
As for what the future holds, I still plan on telling stories, continuing to build community, and making space for us all to be seen.
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