Showtime has announced the greenlight for an eighth season of its critically acclaimed drama, The Chi, marking a significant milestone in the series' journey and cementing its place among the network's most enduring scripted shows.
This renewal follows the triumphant premiere of season seven, which achieved the show's highest streaming debut to date. The episode garnered 2 million views on Paramount within the week following its May 16 launch. With this decision, The Chi joins iconic series such as Dexter, Homeland, and Weeds as the second-longest-running scripted series in Showtime history—only surpassed by Shameless, which ran for an impressive 11 seasons.
In a statement celebrating the series' continued success, Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global co-CEO and president of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios, expressed admiration for creator Lena Waithe’s visionary work: “With the seventh season of The Chi, Lena Waithe not only elevated the creative bar but shattered viewership records, making it the most-watched season premiere in the show’s storied history.” He added, “Lena’s storytelling transcends convention, challenging stereotypes while offering a raw, unflinching portrayal of life on Chicago’s South Side—a testament to her fearless honesty and profound insight.”
The official synopsis for season seven reads: “As Alicia (played by Lynn Whitfield) assumes leadership, the pivotal women of The Chi rise to reclaim their power. However, as alliances are tested and new rivalries ignite, it becomes evident that there can be only one crown—and it will come at a steep price.”
Created by Lena Waithe, The Chi is produced under her production company Hillman Grad. Executive producers include co-showrunners Justin Hillian (Hillianaire Productions) and Jewel Coronel (Uncut Gems, Inc.), alongside Common, Aaron Kaplan, Rick Famuyiwa, Resheida Brady-Anderson, Derek Dudley, Shelby Stone of ID8 Multimedia, and Naomi Funabashi Rishi Rajani from Hillman Grad. Supervising producers Deondray Gossfield and Quincy LeNear Gossfield contributed significantly to the season, directing multiple episodes. Produced by Disney’s 20th Television, The Chi continues to captivate audiences with its authentic exploration of community, resilience, and human connection.
