Season seven of The Chi brought plenty of twists. Still, two of the show’s biggest gut punches came from right here in Chicago’s own backyard, saying goodbye to Lynn Whitfield’s Alicia and Yolonda Ross’ Jada.
Fans have watched Ross’ Jada since episode one in 2018, the South Side matriarch who beat cancer back in season four. But this year, her luck ran out. In a storyline that blended heartbreak with celebration, Jada broke the news to husband Darnell (Rolando Boyce), son Emmett (Jacob Latimore), and her close circle.
With the help of a grief counselor, Darnell organized a “living funeral” so Jada could hear her flowers before she was gone — a tearjerker that hit longtime fans especially hard.
Whitfield’s Alicia, on the other hand, went out in true Chi fashion, blindsided by betrayal. Her relentless search for her son Rob’s killer led her to the wrong man and the wrong conclusion. When the truth finally came to light, it was too late. A home invasion, plans to meet her new grandson, and a surprise visit from Douda’s widow Roselyn (Kandi Burruss) set the stage for Alicia’s shocking murder.
Whitfield’s Alicia, on the other hand, went out in true Chi fashion — blindsided by betrayal. Her relentless search for her son Rob’s killer led her to the wrong man, and the wrong conclusion. When the truth finally came to light, it was too late. A home invasion, plans to meet her new grandson, and a surprise visit from Douda’s widow Roselyn (Kandi Burruss) set the stage for Alicia’s shocking murder.
That new grandson was part of a major season arc for Hannaha Hall’s Tiff, who welcomed her baby in one of the show’s most tender moments this year. Tiff’s journey, navigating motherhood while co-parenting with Emmett and dealing with the complicated history between their families, brought another layer to the season’s themes of legacy, second chances, and chosen family. The birth also marked a turning point for Alicia, who seemed poised for a softer chapter before tragedy struck.
For Whitfield, who joined The Chi expecting just a three-episode arc, the role became a two-season ride. “It was an interesting journey for me,” she told The Hollywood Reporter. “I’m often playing the strong character who finds a way. I felt Alicia could grow, especially with her grandson coming.”
Ross, an original cast member, reflected on Jada’s lasting appeal to THR. “She’s that woman we all know — an aunt, a sister, a neighbor — solid, dependable. But on The Chi, you get to see her whole life, what she’s carrying, and who she really is.”
Both exits leave big shoes to fill heading into The Chi’s recently announced season eight on Paramount+ with Showtime, proof that in Lena Waithe’s South Side love letter, no one is ever truly safe.
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