Entertainment NOW

Entertainment Now | July 31 - August 6, 2021 By Kyla Brewer TV Media T elevision can be a great me- dium for storytelling, and the industry is finally em- bracing a more diverse range of subject matter. Some pro- grams have even transcended en- tertainment to educate viewers on life realities for various underrep- resented communities. One such series, chronicling the lives of sev- eral people living in Chicago's South Side, is about to wrap up for the season. Neighbors in the primarily Afri- can American community have struggled to cope in the aftermath of an act of police brutality in the fourth season of "The Chi," which takes its final bow on Sunday, Aug. 1, on Showtime. The one-hour dra - ma was created by Lena Waithe, an Emmy-winning performer, writ- er and producer who grew up on the South Side of Chicago. Waithe was the first Black woman to win a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for her work on Netflix's "Master of None" in 2017, but "The Chi" marks a de - parture from comedy. The first three seasons of the drama have attracted a loyal fol- lowing and performed decently in the ratings. In fact, Season 3 dou- bled its audience on streaming platforms, so it came as no sur- prise when Showtime announced the Season 4 pickup in September 2020. Showtime executive Gary Levine praised Waithe and fellow writer/executive producer Justin Hillian ("Snowfall"), who also serves as showrunner for the se- ries, saying, "Each season, 'The Chi's' authentic storytelling reso- nates more deeply with its devot- ed and growing audiences. Lena Waithe, together with Justin Hill- ian, explore[s] the joys and the heartbreak of life on the South Side in a way that is unique on television." Those stories of joy and heart- break range from romantic en- tanglements and family ties to vi- olence and a series of difficult choices. It's a formula that has worked well for "The Chi" so far. "For us, we're never chasing a story, we're always just making sure to tell one," Waithe ex- plained in a May interview with Deadline.com. Of course, a part of what makes those stories so compel- ling is the characters and the ac- tors who play in them. Season 4 has featured a talented core cast who bring the tales to life. Jacob Latimore portrays Em- mett Washington, a young father who tries to provide for his son. Latimore started out in the music industry before jumping into act- ing. Hailed as one of the Sun- dance Film Festival's most talent- ed emerging artists after his ap- pearance in the movie "Sleight" (2016), his other credits include "Black Nativity" (2014) and "The Maze Runner" (2014). Hannaha Hall plays Tiff, the mother of Emmett's baby. The actress has appeared in "Chica- go Med" and previously worked with Waithe on an untitled TV movie project. Yolonda Ross stars as Em- mett's mother, Jada, who en- courages her son to do the right thing for himself and his child. Ross started her career in televi- sion in shows such as "New York Undercover" and "Third Watch" before landing the lead in the in- die film "Stranger Inside" (2001). She went on to appear in "Law & Order," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and "Treme." Young actor Alex Hibbert plays Kevin, a character who wit- nesses an act of police brutality involving one of his friends in Season 4. The performer made his film debut in the Oscar-win- ning film "Moonlight" (2016) and also had a role in the 2018 blockbuster Marvel hit "Black Panther." Michael Epps portrays Kevin's friend Jake, who is involved in an altercation with police this sea- son. A relative newcomer to the industry, he's appeared in "Chi- cago Fire" and "Empire." Epps also released his debut album, "Drip," in 2019. Shamon Brown Jr. is known as Papa in "The Chi," a confident young man who loves food and hanging out with his best friends, Kevin and Jake. A Chica- go native, Brown began his ca- reer as a child actor and has ap- peared in "Chicago Fire" as well as the Plain White T's music vid- eo for "American Nights." Birgundi Baker stars as Kie- sha, Kevin's sister, who has been struggling with the decision to keep the baby that resulted from her kidnapping and rape last season. Baker is known for her work in TV series such as "Black Lightning," "Empire," "Station 19" and "Chicago P.D." Luke James and Curtiss Cook were both promoted to series regulars for Season 4. James, who portrays Jake's older brother and local gang leader, Trig, can be seen in "Star," "Insecure" and "Un- solved: The Murders of Tupac and the Notorious B.I.G.," while Cook, who plays Otis "Douda" Perry, the crooked mayor in "The Chi," has appeared on Broadway in "The Lion King" and "Miss Saigon." His television credits include "Narcos," "Mayans, M.C." and "House of Cards." To add to the authentic feel of the show, the actors get to tell their stories in the Windy City as, true to the show's title, the series is shot entirely in Chicago — all 40 episodes. Aside from a slight delay in March 2021 when pro- duction was paused due to a positive COVID-19 test, the cast and crew forged ahead with Season 4. This season, many of the South Side residents have been inspired to rise up and take action in the wake of police brutality. The Sea- son 4 finale is titled "A Raisin in the Sun," presumably a tribute to the iconic Lorraine Hansberry play and subsequent 1961 film about a Black family in South Chicago. As creators continue to explore diverse stories, it has never been more important to listen up and pay attention. Find out how every- thing unfolds in the Season 4 fina- le of "The Chi," airing Sunday, Aug. 1, on Showtime. Genesis Denise Hale and Alex Hibbert as seen in "The Chi" Life on the South Side: 'The Chi' wraps up Season 4 2 | Cover story A/Grindstone Charlie's B/Norris Insurance 1 x 4" Moore's Home Health 5 x 2"

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