UPDATED WITH TEASER TRAILER
Looks like The Chi is bringing the heat this season—both on and off the screen. Paramount+ with Showtime has officially locked in the premiere date for season 7, and they’re giving us a first look at what’s in store.
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Mark your calendars because The Chi returns May 16 on streaming, with its on-air debut set for May 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. And from the looks of things, Emmett and Kiesha might just be throwing the party of the year—so consider this your official invite.
Picking Up the Pieces After a Brutal Finale
Season 6 left The Chi community shaken, with the deaths of longtime antagonist Otis “Douda” Perry (Curtis Cook) and Rob (Iman Shumpert), both at the hands of Douda’s own enforcer, Nuck. In one of the season’s most haunting moments, Rob’s body was left on the steps of his mother Alicia’s home, leading to a gut-wrenching final scene with Alicia (Lynn Whitfield) mourning her son.
Now, with Douda out of the picture, The Chi is shifting its focus—putting Alicia and the women of the South Side at the center. This season, power dynamics shift, alliances are tested, and new rivalries are born. But make no mistake: there’s only one crown, and claiming it won’t come easy.
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First Look: Dancing Through the Drama
Despite the heartbreak, Alicia looks to be finding some joy in the upcoming season. The newly released first-look image shows Alicia alongside Jada (Yolonda Ross) and Tracy (Tai Davis) grooving in the foreground, while Darnell (Rolando Boyce) and the fellas hang back. It’s a rare moment of celebration—one that likely won’t last long with The Chi’s signature twists and turns ahead.
Lynn Whitfield, who made a powerful impact in season 6, has been upped to series regular, meaning Alicia’s role in the power struggle will only deepen.
The Chi’s Historic Run—And a Potential Early Renewal
Season 7 isn’t even here yet, and The Chi is already looking ahead. Last month, Showtime commissioned a season 8 writers’ room—a move that signals strong confidence in the show’s future. No deals are locked in for the cast just yet, but if all goes as planned, The Chi could soon be tied for the second-longest-running series in Showtime history (alongside Dexter, Homeland, and Weeds at eight seasons), trailing only Shameless (11 seasons).
And the numbers back it up—season 6 delivered The Chi’s most-watched season on streaming to date.
Who’s Back and Who’s New
Alongside Jacob Latimore, Yolonda Ross, Shamon Brown Jr., Michael V. Epps, Birgundi Baker, and Luke James, season 7 will also see the return of guest stars like Kadeem Hardison, Chris Lee, Brett Gray, Rotimi, Jackie Long, Jill Marie Jones, and many more.
Behind the scenes, Lena Waithe remains at the helm as creator and executive producer under her Hillman Grad banner, with Common, Justin Hillian, Jewel Coronel, Aaron Kaplan, Rick Famuyiwa, Derek Dudley, and Shelby Stone also leading production.
With season 7 officially on the books and a potential season 8 in the works, The Chi continues to cement itself as one of Showtime’s most enduring series. But the real question remains—who’s taking the throne this season?
We’ll find out when The Chi returns May 16 on Paramount+ with Showtime, and May 18 on cable.