'The Chi' Wraps After Eight Seasons, Marking the End of a Landmark Series
After eight seasons of love, loss, and life on the South Side, “The Chi” is taking its final bow.
Deadline reported that the series has decided to end and its upcoming eighth season will be its last on Paramount+ with Showtime.
Lena Waithe, the creator of the series, wrote a heartfelt message on her Instagram, sharing her sentiments and reasons for ending the phenomenon.
The creator of “The Twenties” always envisioned “The Chi” as more than a television series.
“When I created The Chi, it wasn’t just about making a TV show—it was about owning our narratives and telling our stories with truth, care, nuance and complexity,” she reflected. “It was about showing the soul of the South Side—the beauty, the pain, the grit, and the magic that lives in every block, and in every family.”
That mission has carried the show through eight seasons, but now, the 41-year-old says it's time to close this chapter.
“After much reflection, we have made the decision to end ‘The Chi' with season 8. I know, for the sake of our story and our characters, it’s the right thing. I am committed to delivering a final season that our Chi Family deserves.”
For the “Queen & Slim” writer, the series has been as much about representation behind the camera as it has been about storytelling on screen.
“It’s been the honor of my life to build a platform for artists to shine—not just in front of the camera, but behind the scenes as well,” she shared.
“To helm the longest-running Black drama on television is a huge honor and it’s something I don’t take lightly.”
Her gratitude runs deep for the team that helped bring the South Side to life.
“I’m deeply grateful to every single person who helped build this world—our writers, actors and crew who give so much of themselves to make this show what it is. ‘The Chi’ has become the longest-running Black drama in premium cable history, surpassing the series ‘Soul Food,’ which I watched and loved.”
And while the series may be ending, she makes it clear her mission is far from over.
“As for what the future holds, I still plan on telling stories, continuing to build community, and making space for us all to be seen.”
