Showtime is heading back to the Windy city.
Paramount+ with Showtime has renewed “The Chi” for a seventh season. The announcement precedes the return of the second half of the sixth season, set to air on May 12 on Showtime and May 10 for Paramount+ subscribers with the Showtime plan.
The show is created by Lena Waithe and is produced by 20th Television and Waithe’s Hillman Grad banner. The production for the seventh season is set to commence later this month in Chicago.
‘The Chi’ is Paramount+ With Showtime’s longest-running current scripted series, taking that title after Billions which finished its seven-season run last year.
The series follows a group of residents on Chicago’s South Side and delves into themes of connection and redemption. The cast of “The Chi” includes Jacob Latimore, Alex Hibbert, Yolonda Ross, Shamon Brown Jr., Michael V. Epps, Birgundi Baker, Luke James, and Curtiss Cook.
Lena Waithe serves as an executive producer alongside Common, Justin Hillian, Jewel Coronel, Aaron Kaplan, Rick Famuyiwa, Derek Dudley, Shelby Stone, and Rishi Rajani. Co-executive producers include Naomi Funabashi, who oversees for Hillman Grad, and Resheida Brady. Producers Deondray Gossfield and Quincy LeNear Gossfield directed multiple episodes in season six.
Lynn Whitfield, Jill Marie Jones, Kadeem Hardison, Leon, Brett Gray and Daniel J. Watts guest star in the series along with Kandi Burruss, La La Anthony, Vic Mensa, Carolyn Michelle Smith, Jason Weaver, Iman Shumpert, Nia Jervier, L’lerrét Jazelle, Hannaha Hall, Ahmad Ferguson, Genesis Denise Hale, Joel Steingold, Judae’a Brown, Miriam A. Hyman, Tyla Abercrumbie, Tai Davis, Rolando Boyce and Tory O. Davis.
“Lena Waithe is a generational storyteller, whose authentic and unflinching narratives in The Chi resonate deeply, offering a powerful lens into both the complexities of life in Chicago as well as the Black experience in America,” said Nina L. Diaz, President of Content and Chief Creative Officer, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks. “On the heels of a record-breaking season and ahead of this week’s return, we’re excited to provide fans with the promise of more – ensuring that they can continue to enjoy the raw, emotional stories and unforgettable characters that have made this seminal series a resounding success for Showtime.”
The sixth season saw a significant increase in streaming viewership, indicating continued interest in the series. While the episode count for the seventh season hasn’t been confirmed, the expectation is for around 10 new episodes to be produced.