*Lena Waithe’s acclaimed series “The Chi” will conclude with its eighth season on Paramount+ with Showtime. The decision, announced ahead of production set to start early next year, allows the creative team to craft a meaningful finale for the show’s devoted audience.
“When I created The Chi, it wasn’t just about making a TV show — it was about owning our narratives and telling our stories with truth, care, nuance and complexity,” Waithe said in a statement to Deadline. The series, which premiered in 2018, has become a cornerstone of representation in premium television.
The upcoming season will mark the end of a significant run for “The Chi,” which holds the distinction of being the longest-running Black drama on premium cable or streaming. “To helm the longest-running Black drama on television is a huge honor and it’s something I don’t take lightly,” Waithe stated.
“The Chi” is a poignant drama set in Chicago’s South Side, weaving together the lives of diverse residents through unexpected, life-altering events. The series captures their quest for hope and redemption in the face of hardship. It focuses on the profound impact of tragedies that shape the community’s emotional landscape.
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Showtime describes it as “a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption,” earning acclaim for its compelling narrative. That cast includes Nicole Ari Parker, Vanessa Estelle Williams, Malinda Williams, Rockmond Dunbar, Darrin Dewitt Henson, and Boris Kodjoe.
“I’m deeply grateful to every single person who helped build this world — our writers, actors and crew who give so much of themselves to make this show what it is,” said Waite.
Looking ahead, Waithe’s creative journey with Paramount may continue, as discussions are reportedly underway for future projects across the company.
“As for what the future holds, I still plan on telling stories, continuing to build community, and making space for us all to be seen,” she shared.
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB.COM: ‘The Chi’ Breaks Record as Showtime’s Longest-Running Black Drama
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