The Chi
The Chi
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The Chi

"Love lives on."

7.8
Yr 2018
Status Returning Series
Drama
Your Verdict
Unrated

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Series Brief

Overview

A relevant, timely and distinctive coming-of-age story following a half dozen interrelated characters in the South Side of Chicago. The story centers on Brandon, an ambitious and confident young man who dreams about opening a restaurant of his own someday, but is conflicted between the promise of a new life and his responsibility to his mother and teenage brother back in the South Side.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 78 /100

The Chi debuted to largely positive reviews, with critics praising creator Lena Waithe for crafting an empathetic, humanizing portrait of Chicago's South Side. Reviewers noted that the series successfully pushes past sensationalized news headlines to explore the complex, interconnected lives of its neighborhood residents, focusing less on the mechanics of crime and more on the emotional aftermath and community ripples that follow tragic events.

The show's ensemble cast and slice-of-life storytelling received consistent acclaim for bringing warmth, specificity, and authenticity to the screen. Multiple critics highlighted the lived-in quality of the drama, admiring its heartfelt commitment to celebrating its characters and their environment while defying conventional tropes.

At the same time, some reviewers observed early growing pains. A few critics cautioned that the narrative occasionally leans toward sprawl or relies on predictable dramatic devices and contrivances to tie disparate plotlines together. Nonetheless, the consensus held that the series displayed immense promise, elevated by rich character work and grounded performances.

“This is a TV series that loves its characters and appreciates the environment they move through.”

“Despite its tendency toward sprawl, 'The Chi' is promising, and its best moments are often lived-in scenes that feel specific and human.”

“nuanced ensemble drama highlights life in Chicago through a richly drawn set of characters, brought to life by outstanding performers”

“the first three episodes indicate that The Chi is a definite work in progress, with potential in parts but cliche and predictable storytelling in others.”

Featured Players

Cast

Credited 75
Regulars 14
Longest run 67 eps
Jason Mitchell
Jason Mitchell
as Brandon
20 episodes
Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine
Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine
as Ronnie Davis
30 episodes
Alex R. Hibbert
Alex R. Hibbert
as Kevin
58 episodes
Yolonda Ross
Yolonda Ross
as Jada
66 episodes
Michael Epps
Michael Epps
as Jake Taylor
66 episodes
Tiffany Boone
Tiffany Boone
as Jerrika
20 episodes
Birgundi Baker
Birgundi Baker
as Kiesha Williams
59 episodes
Armando Riesco
Armando Riesco
as Detective Cruz
20 episodes
Show 67 more
Curtiss Cook as Otis 'Douda' Perry 56 episodes Barton Fitzpatrick as Reg Taylor 20 episodes Jasmine Davis as Imani 13 episodes Jacob Latimore as Emmett 67 episodes Shamon Brown Jr. as Stanley 'Papa' Jackson 67 episodes Rolando Boyce as Darnell 41 episodes Luke James as Victor 'Trig' Taylor 44 episodes Hannaha Hall as Tiffany 51 episodes Tyla Abercrumbie as Nina Williams 48 episodes Tai'isha Davis as Tracy Roxboro 37 episodes Genesis Denise Hale as Maisha 43 episodes Chris Lee as Hannibal 8 episodes Tory O. Davis as Pastor Stanley Jackson 17 episodes Da Brat as LaPorsha 5 episodes Sonja Sohn as Laverne Johnson 11 episodes La La Anthony as Dom 11 episodes Vic Mensa as Jamal 12 episodes Tabitha Brown as Octavia Matthews 5 episodes Cortez Smith as Nuck 23 episodes Michael Island as Big Mike 14 episodes Kandi Burruss as Roselyn Perry 20 episodes Joel Steingold as Marcus St. John 27 episodes Bernard Gilbert as Suede 12 episodes Judae'a Brown as Jemma St. John 39 episodes Cory Hardrict as Dante 9 episodes Iman Shumpert as Rob 22 episodes L'lerrét Jazelle as Fatima 20 episodes Behzad Dabu as Amir 5 episodes Kristina Emerson as Sarah 5 episodes Brian King as Det. Bill Wallace 7 episodes AJ Carr as Stick 8 episodes Steve Casillas as Luis 7 episodes José Antonio García as Mr. Gasca 10 episodes Mariah Gordon as Andrea 6 episodes Corey Hendrix as Curtis 12 episodes Mickey O'Sullivan as Chef Dan 5 episodes Julian Parker as Barry 11 episodes Steven Williams as Quentin Dickinson 13 episodes David Alan Anderson as Greavy 14 episodes Byron Bowers as Meldrick 5 episodes Cedric Young as Sonny 15 episodes J. Nicole Brooks as Sgt. Clemmons 8 episodes LaDonna Tittle as Miss Ethel Davis 16 episodes Tosin Morohunfola as Trice 6 episodes Malkia Stampley as Karen 6 episodes Aeriel Williams as Shanté 6 episodes Ahmad Nicholas Ferguson as Bakari 29 episodes Crystal Anne Dickinson as Det. Alice Toussaint 8 episodes Danyelle Monson as Shay 5 episodes Miriam A. Hyman as Dre 32 episodes Sherrice Eaglin as Peaches 5 episodes Maximus Chase Evans as Devante 7 episodes Cedric Mays as Omari Dresden 5 episodes Jason Weaver as Shaad 30 episodes DeRay Davis as Marshawn 5 episodes Nia Jervier as Tierra 21 episodes Carolyn Michelle as Deja 13 episodes Thomas Mackie as Quincy 10 episodes Brett Gray as Damien 6 episodes Kadeem Hardison as Professor Gardner 6 episodes Daniel J. Watts as Pastor Ezekiel 7 episodes Lynn Whitfield as Alicia 12 episodes Shadana Patterson as Diane 7 episodes Jabari Redd as Deondray 5 episodes Jill Marie Jones as Bianca 8 episodes Bobby Musique Cooks as Producer 6 episodes Cereyna Jade Bougouneau as Tatiana 5 episodes
Signal Match

Similarity

Where The Chi overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

chicago, illinois coming of age intense absurd depressing cliché mean spirited
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
January 07, 2018
Status
Returning Series
Origin
US
TMDB Votes
220