Lena Waithe, creator and executive producer of the Showtime original series “THE CHI.” – Photo: Todd MacMillan/SHOWTIME
Showtime is headed to The Windy City. This week, the network announced they’ve ordered a new TV series from Lena Waithe titled The Chi.
Created by Waithe, the one-hour drama “is a relevant, timely and distinctive coming-of-age story and follows a half dozen interrelated characters in the South Side of Chicago.” The cast includes Jason Mitchell.
Waithe will executive produce the series alongside Common, Elwood Reid, Aaron Kaplan, and Rick Famuyiwa.
Read more details from Showtime below:
We’ve picked up the new one-hour drama series, THE CHI, created, executive produced and written by Lena Waithe (Master of None, Bones) and executive produced by Grammy and Academy Award winner Common (Selma, Smokin’ Aces).
Produced by Fox 21, THE CHI is a relevant, timely and distinctive coming-of-age story and follows a half dozen interrelated characters in the South Side of Chicago. Joining the cast is Jason Mitchell (Straight Outta Compton) as “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. Elwood Reid (The Bridge) will executive produce and serve as showrunner along with Waithe. Aaron Kaplan (Secrets and Lies, The Mysteries of Laura) will executive produce. Rick Famuyiwa (Dope) will executive produce and direct the premiere episode.”
What do you think? Are you a fan of Lena Waithe? Will you watch The Chi?
Lean Waithe is an extraordinary woman with tremendous talent. I am a fan of both shows. I had no idea this woman was so young. I definitely imagined a much older person with personal insight to the events portrayed in the CHI series. In any event I enjoy the series. Great job, great writing, like the setting. Thumbs up all the way.