The Chi


The Chi is an American drama series created by Lena Waithe about life in a neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. The pilot was directed by Rick Famuyiwa. It premiered on Showtime on January 7, 2018. On January 30, 2018, Showtime renewed the series for a second season which premiered on April 7, 2019. On April 30, 2019, Showtime renewed the series for a third season which premiered on June 21, 2020. On May 20, 2019, it was announced that Jason Mitchell would not be returning to the show for season 3 because of "sexual misconduct allegations".

Premise

The Chi is described as following "a fateful turn of events that sends shockwaves through a community on the Southside of Chicago and connects the lives of Emmett, Brandon, Ronnie and Kevin in unexpected ways."

Cast

Main

Season 1 (2018)

Season 2 (2019)

Season 3 (2020)

Production

Filming started in Chicago in April 2017.

Reception

Critical response

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the first season holds a "certified fresh" approval rating of 87% based on 46 reviews, and an average rating of 7.47/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Like an optimistic companion to The Wire, The Chi explores the complexities of life in the South Side of Chicago, with a tender touch and a clear affection for its captivating characters." On Metacritic, the season has a weighted average score of 73 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".

Awards and nominations