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Showtime Comedy Gets Renewed for Season 8 After Setting Streaming Record on Paramount+

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The popular drama series “The Chi” on Paramount+ has been given the green light for a new season, specifically its eighth one. This announcement follows the impressive viewership figures during the launch of Season 7 on their streaming platform, setting a new record in the process.

By the specified deadline, it has been announced that “The Chi” has been renewed for a Season 8. This decision comes following the show’s latest season garnering two million cross-platform viewers within the first seven days, making it Paramount+’s most-watched debut series, with a viewership increase of 2% compared to the previous season. Now, “The Chi” stands alongside other successful Showtime shows such as “Dexter,” “Homeland,” and “Weeds,” all of which have run for eight seasons. Interestingly, it is only one of Showtime’s longest-running series, with only one show, “Billions,” having aired for more seasons in the network’s history. However, “Billions” was extended to 11 seasons and concluded recently after being delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The show known as “The Chi” is a timely tale about growing up, set in the vibrant backdrop of Chicago’s South Side. It follows a diverse group of individuals who, despite seemingly random encounters, are connected by significant relationships. Lena Waithe, an Emmy Award-winner from “Master of None”, is the creator of this series, and it features Jacob Latimore, Michael Epps, Shamon Brown Jr., Yolonda Ross, among others in its cast.

The first season of “The Chi” is highly praised on Rotten Tomatoes, earning an 87% approval rating from critics. Essentially, it’s seen as a hopeful companion piece to other shows, delving into the intricacies of life in Chicago’s South Side with a gentle, caring approach and a strong appreciation for its engaging characters.

Initially introduced on Showtime in 2018, “The Chi” resumed its run this month with season 7. This season is set to span twelve episodes, with new episodes becoming available every Friday on Paramount+ and Showtime. Additionally, the latest installment of the series features a fresh cast member, as Lynn Whitfield assumes a leading role in the show following her recurring part in season 6.

Waithe Based The Chi on Her Own Experiences in Chicago

Lena Waithe, the brainchild behind ‘The Chi’, garnered extensive acclaim for her performance in Netflix’s comedy-drama series ‘Master of None’. This recognition paved the way for her becoming the first black woman to win an Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series. In this critically acclaimed show, Waithe penned the award-winning ‘Thanksgiving’ episode, which was inspired by her personal journey of coming out as a lesbian to her mother.

Born in Chicago, Waithe aspired to depict her hometown authentically, drawing from her upbringing on the South Side and the city’s rich diversity. Across the seven seasons of the series, she penned eight episodes and made appearances in two others as Camille Hallaway.

New episodes of The Chi stream Fridays on Paramount+ with Showtime.

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2025-05-29 21:20

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