Showtime’s “The Chi” just leveled up, adding award-winning talent to its Season 7 cast. Paramount just announced that Phylicia Rashad, Wendy Raquel Robinson and Karrueche Tran will appear in the highly anticipated season next month. Read more and watch a teaser inside.
The acclaimed drama series, created by Emmy winner Lena Waithe, is back with its seventh season, and it’s bringing a trio of powerhouse performers into the fold. Rashad, Robinson, and Tran will guest star in Season 7, which premieres May 16 on Paramount+ with Showtime and airs May 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Following a record-breaking sixth season that saw a 25 percent surge in streaming viewership, “The Chi” is riding major momentum. Set on the South Side of Chicago and filmed entirely in the city, the series continues to explore themes of community, power, and personal redemption.
This season, with Alicia now at the helm, the women of “The Chi” are stepping into the spotlight. They are reclaiming their agency in a city where power always comes at a price. The addition of Rashad, Robinson, and Tran adds fresh tension and emotional layers to an already rich ensemble.
Rashad will portray “Renee,” one of the few characters who can cut through the facade of Pastor Zeke and challenge him with brutal honesty. Robinson joins as “Riley Dalton,” a woman shaped by profound personal loss who has found purpose in helping others navigate grief and trauma. Tran takes on the role of “Zuri,” a woman trying to put her life back together, only to find that trouble always seems to find her first.
They join returning cast members Jacob Latimore, Yolonda Ross, Shamon Brown Jr., Michael V. Epps, Birgundi Baker, Luke James, and Lynn Whitfield, alongside an impressive lineup of guest stars including Kadeem Hardison, Chris Lee, Rotimi, and Jill Marie Jones.
Behind the scenes, Waithe continues to lead as executive producer through her Hillman Grad banner, alongside co-showrunners Justin Hillian and Jewel Coronel. The show also boasts a heavyweight production team including Common, Rick Famuyiwa, and Aaron Kaplan.
With new characters, rising stakes, and an unflinching look at life in Chicago, Season 7 of “The Chi” promises to be one of its most compelling yet. Whether you’ve been down since Season 1 or you’re just tuning in, this season is one you won’t want to miss.
