*Mike Epps opened up about the conclusion of Netflix’s beloved sitcom “The Upshaws” during an appearance on “The Breakfast Club,” revealing the behind-the-scenes factors that brought the series to its final season.
“The Upshaws” follows Bennie Upshaw (Epps), a well-meaning mechanic and head of a Black working-class family in Indianapolis, as he navigates life with his wife Regina (Kim Fields), their two daughters (Khali Spraggins, Journey Christine), and his teenage son (Diamond Lyons) from another relationship. Alongside Bennie’s firstborn (Jermelle Simon) and his sharp-tongued sister-in-law (Wanda Sykes), the Upshaws face life’s challenges together, from old flames and new loves to big dreams and everyday drama.
Created by Regina Y. Hicks and comedian Wanda Sykes, the series premiered on Netflix on May 12, 2021, and was renewed for multiple seasons that spanned from 2022 to 2024. The streaming giant announced the 12-episode fifth and final season in June 2024.
According to Epps, the creative differences between Sykes and Hicks significantly influenced the show’s conclusion. “The Upshaw’s ended because the writers, Wanda Sykes and the other lady, Regina Hicks, they just couldn’t see eye to eye,” he said, while also praising their contributions: “They did such a great job writing. We had the best writing team.”
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Epps clarified that the disagreements centered on the show’s direction. “I think the lady Regina, she had an agenda that she wanted to push with the show, and everybody didn’t agree with it all the time,” he explained.
He also highlighted that the growth of younger cast members presented challenges. “If you really want to think about it, the kids got grown. We really couldn’t go no further because of that. That’s what they do on these TV shows. When the kids get older, they cut the show off,” Epps said.
“In the middle of the seasons, we kinda lost it, but then in the end, when you see this season right here, you’ll see we end up getting it back.”
Watch his Breakfast Club interview above
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