When The Chi first premiered in 2018, it immediately stood out as more than another TV drama. The series, which was created by Lena Waithe, is set on Chicago’s South Side and follows the intersecting lives of families, friends and rivals navigating love, loss and survival in their tough neighborhood. This show has become a cultural phenomenon due to its blend of gripping storytelling and heartfelt emotion, although its cast has been central to its success. The Chi features standout performances by Jacob Latimore (Emmett), Birgundi Baker (Keisha), Yolonda Ross (Jada) and Lynn Whitfield (Alicia).
Over the years, the show has grown into Showtime’s flagship drama. It has consistently expanded its fanbase, but its seventh season, which premiered in May 2025, proved the series was still at the top of its game. It quickly became one of the show’s most successful seasons yet during its first week. And with the momentum still going, fans have been curious about whether or not they will get more. Is this the last season of The Chi? Here’s what to know and expect.
Who killed Brandon in ‘The Chi’?
One of the most compelling characters during The Chi’s first two seasons was Brandon Johnson (Jason Mitchell). His storyline focused on his dream of becoming a professional chef while balancing the challenges of love, family and survival in a neighborhood marked by violence. However, Mitchell’s abrupt departure from the show in 2019 might have surprised some viewers. But it was due to real-world circumstances, as ScreenRant reports. The situation followed off-screen misconduct allegations, which forced writers to make a difficult decision. They had to remove a central character without disrupting or destabilizing the larger narrative.
So, the season three premiere opened up with Brandon’s funeral, which turned out to be a heartbreaking scene. His mother, Laverne (Sonja Sohn), delivered an emotional eulogy, but initially, viewers were left in the dark about the details of his death. His death was never depicted on screen, which left the event as an ambiguous and ominous occurrence.
Then, as the season progressed, more pieces of the puzzle came to light. In season four, Douda, a local crime boss, privately revealed to his wife that he was the person responsible for Brandon’s death. He committed the murder after being tipped off that Brandon was cooperating with the police.
What happened to Keisha?
As The Chi fandom cites, Keisha Williams has one of the most powerful and emotionally resonant arcs in the entire series so far. She was introduced as Kevin Williams’ (Alex R. Hibbert) responsible older sister and a promising track athlete. But her life took a horrifying turn in season three when she was kidnapped by a predator named Omari. Keisha endured weeks of captivity and abuse before ultimately managing to fight her way to freedom. With the help of Ronnie Davis (Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, a deeply flawed anti-hero), she kills her captor and escapes. But the trauma of her ordeal left deep scars.
In the following seasons, her storyline centered on her emotional recovery and strained relationship with her family. But one of the biggest developments from Keisha’s kidnapping is that she decided to keep an unplanned pregnancy. She even named her son after Ronnie, and by season six, her resilience becomes a cornerstone of her character. She embraces motherhood, pursues a career as a teacher and rebuilds her life brick by brick.
Will Jada be in the upcoming episodes?
For seven seasons, Jada Washington (Yolonda Ross) has been a beloved character on The Chi. As Emmett’s mother, she served as an emotional foundation for the series. Her journey through motherhood, relationships, and even a battle with cancer has made her one of the most down-to-earth and relatable characters. But season seven delivered a heartbreaking blow when Jada died in the finale.
Her loss not only shook Emmett, but it also sent ripples through The Chi community, as TV Line reports. This devastation underscored how central she was to everyone’s lives. And despite the fact that her death seemed final, fans have speculated about whether Yolonda Ross might continue to reappear in some capacity. Given the flexibility of television, it’s still possible that she could reappear in a small yet meaningful capacity like flashbacks or a guiding presence for Emmett. But overall, it is unlikely that she will return in new episodes (aka next season) of The Chi. Despite the sad conclusion to her story, at the end of the season, she gets to meet her brand new granddaughter. And after her passing, Emmett and Kiesha name their daughter Jada to honor her.
When is season eight of ‘The Chi’ coming out?
Paramount+ and Showtime wasted no time renewing The Chi for an eighth season. It has become so successful over the years that its continuation only made sense. For fans, though, the big question remains: When will season eight come out? While no official release date has been announced yet, there are some strong clues based on past production cycles. As Reel Chicago reports, season seven wrapped filming in late 2024 and premiered in May 2025.
So, this suggests that the gap between production and release is roughly seven to nine months. And if the show follows a similar timeline, viewers can expect season eight to arrive sometime in the spring or summer of 2026. This would mean that fans won’t have to wait too long before getting their fix of the South Side. Given the show’s ongoing popularity, season eight is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated chapters in the series.
More shows like ‘The Chi’ to binge while you wait
If the wait for season eight of The Chi feels too long, there are plenty of shows that can hold you over. It might be the perfect opportunity to explore other series tackling larger social issues. And there’s no doubt that these shows all have similar themes of community, resilience and complex family dynamics. Plus, much like The Chi, these shows don’t just entertain; they shine a light on the harsh realities of urban life.
Whether you’re looking for character-driven drama, gritty crime sagas or heartfelt family stories, these five series will keep you invested. Here are our top recommendations worth adding to your waitlist:
‘Queen Sugar’ (2016-2022)
Queen Sugar was created by Ava DuVernay and produced by Oprah Winfrey. It explores the lives of the Bordelon siblings after they inherit and struggle to revive their family’s sugarcane farm in Louisiana. The series has an intriguing focus on family bonds, social justice, and healing generational wounds. It has beautifully shot storytelling and a slow-burning narrative. The layered characters make it an exceedingly rewarding drama, which is a perfect fit for fans of The Chi’s heartfelt approach.
Where to Watch: Hulu, Prime Video
‘Power’ (2014-2020)
At the center of the show Power is James “Ghost” St. Patrick, a wealthy nightclub owner leading a dangerous double life as a drug kingpin. The original series explores betrayal, ambition and the cost of living in two different worlds. These themes also echo the struggles seen in The Chi, but the Power universe has since expanded into multiple spinoffs. These spinoffs include Power Book II: Ghost, Raising Kanan, Force, which created a web of interconnected stories about crime, family and survival. For viewers who enjoy the intensity of The Chi’s underworld storylines, this franchise is a must binge.
Where to Watch: Starz, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video
‘Snowfall’ (2017-2023)
This show is set in 1980s Los Angeles at the height of the crack cocaine epidemic. It follows Franklin Saint, a young man whose pursuit of the American dream pulls him deeper into the drug trade. The series doesn’t shy away from showing how systemic forces, government involvement and community vulnerabilities collide in devastating ways. With high-stakes drama, complex characters and an unflinching look at how crime reshapes entire neighborhoods, Snowfall offers the same balance of social critique and gripping narrative that The Chi is known for.
Where to Watch: Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV+
‘All American’ (2018-Present)
This show is loosely inspired by the life of NFL player Spencer Paysinger. It explores the challenge of a gifted South Los Angeles football player recruited to play for a wealthy Beverly Hills high school. But beyond the sport’s angle, the show digs deep into issues of class differences, identity and friendship. So like The Chi, it highlights the importance of family, mentorship and community.
Where to Watch: Netflix, The CW
‘Atlanta’ (2016-2022)
Donald Glover’s Atlanta blends surrealism, comedy and drama to tell the story of Earnest “Earn” Marks (Glover). In the series, he and his cousin Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles (Brian Tyree Henry) try to navigate Atlanta’s rap scene. This unconventional narrative explores issues like race, poverty, ambition and family dynamics in ways that resonate with The Chi’s focus. With its sharp social commentary and inventive storytelling, Atlanta offers a unique but equally impactful viewing experience for fans craving something bold and thought-provoking.
Where to Watch: Hulu
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Dre not on The Chi anymore?
Dre (Miriam A. Hyman) left The Chi in season six after confessing unresolved feelings for an ex, which ultimately ended her marriage to Nina. The show did not give much else of an explanation, but Hyman later removed content from the show from her Instagram, as ScreenRant reports. This caused speculation about her exit, but Showtime hasn’t confirmed whether or not Dre will return.
Where can you watch The Chi?
The Chi streams on Paramount+ with Showtime, where new episodes premiere Fridays before airing Sundays on Showtime. It is also available through Showtime add-ons Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
