The Chi Scores Its Most-Streamed Premiere Ever, 7 Seasons In
More people than ever are finding their way to The Chi via streaming.
The Showtime drama's recent Season 7 opener drew two million cross-platform viewers, making it the most-streamed season premiere in the series' history — up +2% versus last season.
TVLine readers gave the episode an average grade of "B+"; read Kim Roots' recap.
"With the seventh season of The Chi, [series creator] Lena Waithe raised the bar creatively and it shattered viewership records, becoming the most-watched season premiere in the show's history," Chris McCarthy, President of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios, said in a statement. "Lena's storytelling defies convention and cuts through cliché, revealing the depth, power and complexity of life on the South Side of Chicago with fearless honesty."
The Chi, which debuted in January 2018 and is produced entirely in its titular, windy city, is a 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."
The ensemble cast boasts Jacob Latimore (as Emmett), Lynn Whitfield (Alicia), Yolonda Ross (Jada), Shamon Brown Jr. (Papa), Michael V. Epps (Jake), Birgundi Baker (Kiesha) and Luke James (Trig).
Season 7 guest stars include returnees Kadeem Hardison, Chris Lee, Brett Gray, Rotimi, Jackie Long, Charmin Lee, Jill Marie Jones and Daniel J. Watts, plus first-timers Hannaha Hall, Jason Weaver, La La Anthony, Vic Mensa, Kandi Burruss, Tai Davis, Rolando Boyce, Ahmad Ferguson, Cortez Smith, Genesis Denise Hale, Joel Steingold, Judae'a Brown, Zaria Imani Primer, L'lerrét Jazelle and Brian Keys.
Series creator Waithe (Twenties, Master of None) serves as executive producer alongside co-showrunners Justin Hillian and Jewel Coronel, Common, Aaron Kaplan, Rick Famuyiwa, Resheida Brady-Anderson, Derek Dudley, Shelby Stone and Naomi Funabashi. Supervising producers Deondray Gossfield and Quincy LeNear Gossfield directed multiple episodes in Season 7.
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