BET+ has unveiled the official trailer for its upcoming adult animated series Lil Kev, along with exciting new cast additions. Gerald “Slink” Johnson (Black Jesus, White Men Can’t Jump) has joined as a series regular, while Jamar Neighbors (Keanu), Cree Summer (Abbott Elementary), Anjelah Johnson-Reyes (Mad TV), and Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams (The Ms. Pat Show) are set to appear in supporting roles. The series will premiere on March 6, 2025 on BET+.
Lil Kev, inspired by Kevin Hart’s childhood in 1993 North Philadelphia, marks BET+’s first foray into original adult animation. Hart will voice the title character alongside comedy legends Wanda Sykes and Deon Cole. Guest stars throughout the season include Wé Ani, Mo Collins, Affion Crockett, Tyree Elaine, Justin Hires, Rick Ingraham, Jayden Libran, Freddy Lockhart, and Aiko Tanaka, with appearances by Loretta Devine, DJ Quik, Kyle Erby, Mélia Mills, Nicole Aimée Schreiber, Clayton Thomas, and Doc Willis.
The series follows 12-year-old Kevin, whose wild imagination and optimism often collide with the realities of his tough neighborhood. His mother, Nancy (Sykes), works night shifts as an E.R. nurse while doing her best to keep Kevin on the right path, despite interference from his mischievous older brother Robert (Neighbors), his ex-con uncle Richard Jr. (Cole), and his troubled father, Henry (Johnson).
Through humor and hustle, Lil Kev offers a heartfelt look at Kevin’s rocky upbringing, surrounded by larger-than-life characters who shape his journey toward comedy greatness.
Meet the Cast
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Henry (Slink Johnson): Kev’s dad, who’s had a rough past and battles addiction. Underneath it all, Henry is a good man with a big heart who’s trying to be a better father to Kev and Robert.
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Robert (Jamar Neighbors): Kev’s 16-year-old brother, a glass-half-empty hustler with a sharp tongue. He constantly crushes Kev’s dreams, justifying it with, “I’m just keeping it real.”
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Gerald (Cree Summer): Kev’s larger-than-life best friend, known for his quick wit and trash-talking skills. He’s a master at playing the dozens because he’s had to learn how to clap back.
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Marisol (Anjelah Johnson-Reyes): Nancy’s best friend and coworker at the hospital. Street-smart and tough, Marisol has thick skin and a not-so-subtle crush on a local city councilman.
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Tiki (Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams): A short-tempered gambling addict and Dirty Dante’s mom. She’s all about living life on her own terms and never misses a hair appointment—no matter what.
Recurring Guest Stars
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Rhe Rhe (Wé Ani): Kev’s crush. She’s super cute, super smart, and never gets anything less than an A. She dreams of becoming a brain surgeon and puts hot sauce on literally everything.
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Mrs. O’Lady (Mo Collins): A 90-something-year-old who remembers the “good ol’ days” of the neighborhood. She’s sweet but also prone to saying wildly inappropriate things.
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Darnell (Affion Crockett) & Omar (Jayden Libran): Ex-cellmates and lovers who still live as if they’re in prison—complete with bunk beds, lights-out rules, and a toilet/sink combo in their apartment.
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Sapphire (Tyree Elaine): One of Richard Jr.’s two baby mamas and Lauryn’s mom. She’s fed up with Richard’s lack of involvement in their daughter’s life.
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Lorett (Justin Hires): A good-time girl and one of Nancy’s closest friends. She’s always ready to party.
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Soupy (Kyle Erby): Kev’s other best friend. He’s skinny and awkward and loves soup so much that he fakes being sick just to get more of it.
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Chin Check (Justin Hires): Kev’s school bully who greets people by literally chin-checking them. He’s a bit of a menace but struggles with a learning disability and is just starting to learn how to read.
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Lucky (Rick Ingraham): A one-legged homeless man who’s a regular fixture in Kev’s neighborhood.
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Principal Johnson (Freddy Lockhart): Kev’s middle school principal who lives for his bullhorn and uses it any chance he gets.
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Mrs. Park (Aiko Tanaka): The no-nonsense bodega owner who works behind bulletproof glass and has a pet shotgun she affectionately calls “Blasty.”
Kevin Hart serves as executive producer along with Bryan Smiley, Jeff Clanagan, Mike Stein, and Candice Wilson Cherry for Hartbeat. Tiffany Brown is co-executive producer, with Matthew Claybrooks and Michael Price as showrunners and EPs. Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico executive produce for ShadowMachine, which also handled animation for the series. Musa Brooker is supervising director, while Jason Harvey and Rose Catherine Pinkney executive produce for BET+.
Check out the trailer above!
