Showtime’s The Chi is raising the stakes for its upcoming seventh season—and bringing some heavy hitters with it. The network has officially announced that Phylicia Rashad (The Beekeeper, This Is Us), Wendy Raquel Robinson (The Game, Poppa’s House), and Karrueche Tran (Claws, Bel-Air) will join the cast in guest-starring roles.
The new season will premiere Friday, May 16 on-demand and streaming for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME plan, followed by its linear debut Sunday, May 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on Showtime.
READ: UPDATED: ‘The Chi’ Season 7 Locks in Premiere Date—Plus, Paramount+ Drops TEASER TRAILER
Set in the heart of Chicago’s South Side, The Chi continues to explore the interconnected lives of its characters, navigating love, loss, family, and community. And after a record-breaking sixth season—up nearly 25% in streaming viewership—it’s clear the demand for these stories is only growing.
This season, all eyes are on the women of The Chi, as Alicia takes the lead and a new wave of power shifts, personal reckonings, and rivalries unfold. But with every power move comes a cost—and the crown won’t come easy.
Meet the Guest Stars
- Phylicia Rashad will portray Renee, one of the few who sees Pastor Zeke for who he really is—and isn’t afraid to challenge him.
- Wendy Raquel Robinson takes on the role of Riley Dalton, a warm yet direct woman shaped by deep personal loss, now using that pain to help others in their darkest moments.
- Karrueche Tran will play Zuri, a woman doing her best to get her life on track, though trouble seems to meet her at every turn.
The series boasts an ensemble cast that includes Jacob Latimore, Lynn Whitfield, Yolonda Ross, Shamon Brown Jr., Michael V. Epps, Birgundi Baker, and Luke James. Returning guest stars include Kadeem Hardison, Chris Lee, Brett Gray, Rotimi, Jackie Long, Jill Marie Jones, Daniel J. Watts, and more.
And yes—Rotimi is officially returning. His surprise cameo in the season six finale was just the beginning. He joins season seven as Charles, a churchgoer connected to Pastor Ezekiel (played by Daniel J. Watts). In an exclusive statement to Blex, Rotimi shared:
“I give God the glory to get the chance to work with an all-star cast and to bring to life the vision of the brilliant Lena Waithe! It’s time to work.”
A Season of Transition
While the new season welcomes several exciting additions, it also marks the departure of key characters. In the season six finale, longtime figures Otis “Douda” Perry (Curtiss Cook) and Rob (Iman Shumpert) met their ends. Meanwhile, Nina (Tyla Abercrumbie) left Chicago for a fresh start with her partner LaPorsha, closing a chapter of her own.
The Chi is created and executive produced by Lena Waithe under her Hillman Grad banner, with Justin Hillian and Jewel Coronel serving as co-showrunners. Common, Aaron Kaplan, Rick Famuyiwa, Resheida Brady-Anderson, and Hillman Grad’s Naomi Funabashi and Rishi Rajani also serve as executive producers. Supervising producers Deondray Gossfield and Quincy LeNear Gossfield directed multiple episodes this season.
With new faces, higher stakes, and deeper emotional arcs, season seven of The Chi promises to be one of its most impactful chapters yet.