Showtime Moves Forward with Lena Waithe’s The Chi

LOS ANGELES: Among its host of TCA announcements, Showtime revealed the pickup of the new one-hour drama series The Chi, created, executive produced and written by Lena Waithe (Master of None, Bones) and executive produced by Grammy and Academy Award winner Common (Selma, Smokin’ Aces).

The Chi, produced by Fox 21, is a coming-of-age story that follows a half-dozen interrelated characters in the South Side of Chicago. Jason Mitchell (Straight Outta Compton) has joined the cast. Elwood Reid (The Bridge) will executive produce and serve as showrunner along with Waithe. Aaron Kaplan (Secrets and Lies, The Mysteries of Laura) will executive produce. Rick Famuyiwa (Dope) will executive produce and direct the premiere episode.

Showtime’s TCA panel also included a surprise appearance by David Lynch, whose Twin Peaks revival has been given a May 21 debut. The highly anticipated limited event series will debut at 9 p.m. with a two-hour premiere and will consist of 18 hours in total.