Lena Waithe’s acclaimed drama The Chi returned for its sixth season earlier this month, and people were definitely paying attention. After experiencing a huge surge in viewership on Paramount+, the Season 6 premiere of The Chi became the show’s most-watched premiere to date.
Created for Showtime by Lena Waithe, The Chi is a coming-of-age story about a group of the South Side of Chicago residents, who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption. It premiered on Showtime in 2018, and its latest sixth season has been split into two parts, featuring eight episodes each.
The ensemble cast of this series significantly changed over the years, and it now includes Jacob Latimore, Alex Hibbert, Yolonda Ross, Shamon Brown Jr., Michael V. Epps, Birgundi Baker, Luke James, and Curtiss Cook.
The record-breaking performance of The Chi comes shortly after the streaming service Paramount+ was integrated with Showtime, and the company’s CEO Chris McCarthy believes it proves this was the right move.
“The Chi’s record-breaking performance validates our decision to integrate our streaming services. Exceptionally created by Lena Waithe, The Chi embodies the best of Showtime with rich characters and compelling, layered storytelling that keeps viewers coming back for more,” said McCarthy in a statement.
