SHOWTIME’s original series The Chi is expanding its ensemble with four dynamic new guest stars for its upcoming seventh season: Kyla Pratt, Punkie Johnson, Reagan Gomez, and Tammy Townsend. The announcement comes on the heels of a record-breaking Season Six, which saw a 25% surge in streaming viewership, making it the most-watched season in the show’s history.
Created by Chicago native and Emmy winner Lena Waithe, The Chi is shot entirely in its namesake city and continues to explore the lives, struggles, and triumphs of South Side residents connected by fate and bound by resilience.
New Faces, Bold Roles
- Kyla Pratt (The Proud Family, Call Me Kat) will play Angie, the no-nonsense wife of Hannibal who rules her home with firm love and sharp instincts.
- Punkie Johnson (SNL, Love Life) takes on the role of Shawnita, a veteran restaurant manager with a commanding presence, tasked with bringing Smokey’s back to order.
- Reagan Gomez (The Parent ‘Hood, Queen Sugar) joins as Candace, a former “lover girl” whose romantic misadventures take a spicier turn.
- Tammy Townsend (Average Joe, Queen Sugar) plays Nora, a street-smart entrepreneur with big dreams and an even bigger heart.
They join a growing list of season seven guest stars, including Phylicia Rashad, Wendy Raquel Robinson, and Karrueche Tran, continuing the show’s tradition of spotlighting Black excellence on screen.
A Story of Power and Reckoning
This season, the women of The Chi take center stage. With Alicia now in a position of influence, the balance of power begins to shift—and not everyone is ready to share the throne. As rivalries escalate and bonds are tested, one thing becomes clear: only one crown will survive the storm.
Returning series regulars include Jacob Latimore, Lynn Whitfield, Birgundi Baker, Luke James, and Yolonda Ross, alongside a sprawling ensemble of recurring players such as Jason Weaver, La La Anthony, Vic Mensa, and Kandi Burruss.
Executive produced by Waithe under her Hillman Grad banner, the series also boasts producing credits from Common, Justin Hillian, Jewel Coronel, Rick Famuyiwa, and Aaron Kaplan, among others.
When and Where
Season seven of The Chi premiered Friday, May 16 on demand and for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, with its linear debut on Sunday, May 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
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