Emmy-winning actress Lynn Whitfield is taking her role on Showtime’s hit drama “The Chi” to the next level. The veteran actress is stepping into an expanded role as a series regular. Deadline has learned exclusively that Whitfield, who portrays the formidable matriarch Alicia, will be a key player in the new season, following her impactful guest appearance in Season 6.
Whitfield joined the series this past sixth season, recurring as Alicia, a powerful and fearless matriarch determined to avenge her brother’s murder. Last season, she faced off against the show’s villain, Douda (Curtiss Cook), but tragically lost her son (guest star Iman Shumpert) to gun violence in the process.
In addition to Whitfield’s expanded role, The Chi is also bringing back another familiar face. Rotimi, who made a surprise appearance in the Season 6 finale, will return in a recurring role for Season 7. Rotimi, known for his work on ‘Power,’ will portray a character named Charles, a churchgoer with ties to Pastor Ezekiel, played by Daniel J. Watts.
As The Chi welcomes this new addition, it also bids farewell to three long-standing cast members: Curtiss Cook’s Otis “Douda” Perry, Iman Shumpert’s Rob, and Tyla Abercrumbie’s Nina who left town with her girlfriend LaPorsha after saying goodbye to friends and family.
Season 6 of ‘The Chi’ concluded in June, setting a new streaming record for the series. Deadline can exclusively reveal that this season has become the most-watched in the show’s history, maintaining its momentum with a strong viewership that surged when the second half premiered in May. The May 12 episode alone garnered nearly 2 million viewers across platforms within its first week, marking a 4% increase compared to the premiere episode of the first half of the season.
The Chi is the brainchild of creator and executive producer Lena Waithe, who has built a compelling narrative centered around the lives of residents on the South Side of Chicago. The series, a gripping coming-of-age story, delves into themes of connection and redemption as its characters navigate the challenges and bonds that tie them together.
Alongside Waithe, the show boasts a powerhouse team of executive producers, including Common, Aaron Kaplan (‘A Million Little Things’, ‘The Neighborhood’), Rick Famuyiwa (‘Dope’), Derek Dudley and Shelby Stone of ID8 Multimedia, and Rishi Rajani, CEO of Hillman Grad. Season 7 will continue under the stewardship of co-showrunners and executive producers Justin Hillian and Jewel Coronel, with Naomi Funabashi overseeing the production for Hillman Grad and Resheida Brady also joining as an executive producer.
Produced entirely in Chicago, The Chi remains rooted in its namesake city, bringing authenticity and depth to its portrayal of the community it represents.