After showcasing teaser earlier this year, Showtime released the full trailer for the fourth season of its drama series, The Chi. Created by Lena Waithe (Twenties, Them) and executive produced by rapper Common (Hells on Wheels, Just Wright), The Chi follows the interconnecting lives of various residents living in the South Side neighborhood of Chicago. According to Showtime’s press release, this season will detail the fractured relationship between the city’s Black residents and the police. Check out the full trailer below:
Set to Marvin Gaye’s iconic “Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler),” the trailer reacquaints viewers with the series’ main characters and where this season finds them. According to the press release, our main trio of best friends will be shaken when one of their own, Michael V. Epps’ (Empire, Chicago P.D.) Jake, has a violent exchange with a group of officers. Spiraling from this encounter, the series will explore the current state of police relations with the citizens of the South Side, mirroring stories of police brutality and reform that have captivated the nation for the past year.
This incident is quality fuel for the newly-elected mayor, Curtiss Cook’s (Shutter Island, Arbitrage) Douda, to use as he embarks on reshaping the city. But his tenuous relationship with his wife Joselyn, played by Kandi Burruss (Yesterday, Big Momma’s House) could threaten his grand plans. Elsewhere, Alex Hibbert’s (Moonlight, Black Panther) Kevin is taking his relationship with classmate Judae’a Brown’s (Our Father, Native Son) Jemma to a new stage. And Shamon Brown Jr’s Papa will concentrate on a new, hopefully prosperous, business endeavor.
Kevin’s sister Keisha, played by Birgundi Baker (Black Lightning, Station 19) faces the new challenges that come with her pregnancy. As she is grappling with becoming a single mother, her ex and friend, Jacob Latimore’s (Sleight, Vanishing on 7th Street) Emmett, experiences a setback in his relationship with his wife Tiff, played by Hannaha Hall (Chicago Med). As Emmett’s relationship hits a hardship, his mother Jaida, played by Yolonda Ross (Antwone Fisher, Whitney) unexpectedly falls for a new suitor. And Trig and Imani, portrayed by Luke James (Star, The New Edition Story) and Jasmine Davis (Deviants, L.A.’s Finest) find a new purpose in their efforts to support their community.
According to the press release, a new roster of guest stars will appear this season. Chicago native Jason Weaver (Smart Guy, ATL) will play Rashaad “Shaad” Marshall, a friend of Trig who is trying to turn a new leaf. Another Chicagoan, rapper Vic Mensa (Akilla’s Escape, The Birth of a Nation) has been cast as Jamal. He will butt heads with James’ Trig over how to protect his family and the rest of the community. Social media star Tabitha Brown (Will & Grace, For the Love of Jason) joins as interior designer Octavia, a possible mentor to Keisha. Rapper DaBrat (Bad Boys, Wasabi) rounds out the guest stars as LaProsha, a stranger who will cause issues for Kev and Keisha’s family.
The Chi is produced by 20th Television with Waithe and Rishi Rajani’s (The 40-Year-Old Version, Unforgettable) Hillman Grad Productions, via the press release. Additional executive producers include Aaron Kaplan (A Million Little Things, The Neighbors), Rick Famuyiwa (Dope, The Wood), and Freedom Road Productions’ Derek Dudley (Meet the Blacks, The Last Two Lovers at the End of the World) and Shelby Stone (Lackawanna Blue, Bessie). Showrunner Justin Hillian (Snowfall, Superstore) is also an executive producer.
Season four of The Chi premieres on May 23 at 9 p.m. ET on Showtime.