The Chi is officially entering its final chapter.
Paramount+ has released the first trailer and key art for the acclaimed drama’s eighth and final season, with the series set to premiere on Friday, May 22 exclusively on the streamer’s Premium Plan. The 10-episode farewell season will roll out weekly, marking the end of Lena Waithe’s long-running South Side saga.
Produced by 20th Television, The Chi returns with what’s being described as its most emotionally charged season yet—set against a “coldest winter ever” backdrop where survival, legacy, and consequence take center stage. The new trailer teases high-stakes decisions that force characters to confront what they’re willing to sacrifice as personal and community tensions reach a breaking point.
At its core, the final season continues the series’ signature balance of intimacy and intensity, weaving together stories of love, loss, joy, and violence on Chicago’s South Side.
Returning to lead the ensemble are Jacob Latimore, Birgundi Baker, Luke James, Shamon Brown Jr., Michael V. Epps, Hannaha Hall, and Jason Weaver, all reprising their roles as the interconnected community the series has followed since its debut.
The final chapter also expands its world with new and returning recurring faces, including Darryl Dunning II, Biko Eisen-Martin, Akilah A. Walker, Laila Odom, Liza Jessie Peterson, and Anthony B. Jenkins, alongside guest appearances from familiar names such as Rotimi, Kyla Pratt, Karrueche Tran, Punkie Johnson, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Reagan Gomez, Barton Fitzpatrick, and others.
Behind the scenes, the series is created and executive produced by Emmy winner Lena Waithe under her Hillman Grad banner, with co-showrunners Justin Hillian and Jewel Coronel. Executive producers also include Common, Rick Famuyiwa, Aaron Kaplan, Resheida Brady-Anderson, Derek Dudley, Shelby Stone, Naomi Funabashi, Rishi Rajani, and James Rogers III. Deondray and Quincy LeNear Gossfield return to direct multiple episodes in the final season.
Since its debut, The Chi has built a reputation for centering layered, human stories about Black life, community, and resilience—making its conclusion a significant moment in television.
All previous seasons of The Chi are currently available to stream on Paramount+ with the Premium Plan.