'The Chi' on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME: Meet the Cast of Season 7

Much like the characters on the show itself, the Paramount+ with SHOWTIME hit The Chi is resilient.

Now in its seventh season, the ensemble drama has been picking up steam as it goes on, with season six “delivering its most-watched season yet on streaming, surging nearly 25% over the previous season,” according to a press release. The Chi also boasts one of the biggest casts on TV, with characters cycling in and out of the storylines and only two lead actors remaining from the main cast of its first season in 2018. 

With The Chi returning for its seventh season on May 18 we thought it would be fun to look back on the history of the cast over its seven seasons. To watch new episodes of The Chi Sunday nights at 9pm ET, add Paramount+ with SHOWTIME to your DISH package today. Not a DISH subscriber? Sign up today to take advantage of our limited-time 3 Months free offer AND get Paramount+ with SHOWTIME free for four months!

Who is in the cast of The Chi season 7?

New cast members joining The Chi season 7 include Kyla Pratt (The Proud Family, Call Me Kat), Punkie Johnson (Saturday Night Live, Love Life), Reagan Gomez (The Parent ‘Hood, Queen Sugar), and Tammy Townsend (Average Joe, Queen Sugar). That’s one top of guest stars Phylicia Rashad, Wendy Raquel Robinson and Karrueche Tran. The main cast returning for season 7 of The Chi includes Jacob Latimore, Lynn Whitfield, Yolonda Ross, Shamon Brown Jr., Michael V. Epps, Birgundi Baker and Luke James. Additional season 7 guest stars include Kadeem Hardison, Chris Lee, Brett Gray, Rotimi, Jackie Long, Charmin Lee, Jill Marie Jones and Daniel J. Watts. Returning guest stars include Hannaha Hall, Jason Weaver, La La Anthony, Vic Mensa, Kandi Burruss, Tai Davis, Rolando Boyce, Ahmad Ferguson, Cortez Smith, Genesis Denise Hale, Joel Steingold, Judae’a Brown, Zaria Imani Primer, L’lerrét Jazelle and Brian Keys.

What Actors Have Appeared on The Chi?

Part of why The Chi has been so successful is that its cast is evolving and changing with each season. Of the main cast, Jacob Lattimore, Yolonda Ross, Michael V. Epps, Shamon Brown Jr., and Birgundi Baker are the only ones to appear in all seven seasons. Here’s a look at former main cast members broken out by seasons:

• Jason Mitchell as Brandon Johnson (seasons 1-2)
• Ntare Mwine as Ronnie Davis (seasons 1–3)
• Alex R. Hibbert as Kevin Williams (seasons 1–6)
• Tiffany Boone as Jerrika Little (seasons 1–2)
• Armando Riesco as Detective Cruz (seasons 1–2)
• Barton Fitzpatrick as Reg Taylor (season 2; recurring; season 1)
• Curtiss Cook as Otis "Douda" Perry (seasons 4–6; recurring; seasons 2–3)

The list of current and former recurring cast members is even longer, but – as the addition of former SNL cast member Punkie Johnson illustrates – the ensemble features many unexpected performers. These include Common (who also serves as an executive producer on the series); comedian Lil Rel Howrey; Xscape singer and Real Housewife Kandi Burruss; actress/ influencer Tabitha Brown; former NBA player Iman Shumpert; La La Anthony, ex-wife of Basketball Hall of Famer Carmelo Anthony; and Chicago rappers Vic Mensa and Da Brat.