Showtime’s Longest-Running Black Drama To End with Season 8

The Chi, which is one of Showtime’s longest-running series, is ending after eight seasons. The acclaimed drama created by Lena Waithe is a coming-of-age story set in the South Side of Chicago. The show debuted in 2018 and The Chi season 7 ended in August 2025.

The series earned a season 8 renewal in May, which tied it for being the second-longest-running show in Showtime’s history. It is tied with Dexter, Homeland, and Weeds, all of which had eight seasons as well, while the top spot goes to Shameless and its 11 seasons. However, The Chi is the longest-running Black drama on premium cable and streaming.

Waithe has now confirmed to Deadline that The Chi will be ending with season 8 on Paramount+ with Showtime. This decision is being made before production begins in early 2026 and so the series can end in a satisfying way. Check out Waithe’s statement below:

When I created The Chi, it wasn’t just about making a TV show — it was about owning our narratives and telling our stories with truth, care, nuance and complexity. It was about showing the soul of the South Side — the beauty, the pain, the grit, and the magic that lives in every block, and in every family. After much reflection, we have made the decision to end The Chi with season 8. I know, for the sake of our story and our characters, it’s the right thing. I am committed to delivering a final season that our Chi Family deserves.

It’s been the honor of my life to build a platform for artists to shine — not just in front of the camera, but behind the scenes as well. To helm the longest-running Black drama on television is a huge honor and it’s something I don’t take lightly.

What This Means For The Chi

The Chi has not been canceled by Paramount+ with Showtime, as Waithe and her creative team are instead deciding to end the show on their own terms. Her statement makes it clear that this was not an easy decision, but one that she and her colleagues feel is best for the characters and the story.

Waithe’s statement also highlights how important authentic representation has been for The Chi in front of and behind the camera since the beginning. This authenticity will continue to be at the heart of the show in the final season of the longest-running Black drama on premium cable and streaming.

The Chi has already cemented itself as one of Showtime‘s all-time best series, and now the final season can further strengthen that legacy with what is poised to be a fitting ending for the characters and for the story.

Our Take On The Chi’s Cancellation

It is rare for many shows to last more than a few seasons now, let alone to get eight of them. This longevity speaks to the show’s high quality and nuance, along with how the drama and representation has continued to resonate with audiences since debuting in 2018.

The Chi and its characters have done more for diverse representation than any of the other longest-running Showtime series, especially when compared with Homeland, which has been heavily criticized for its problematic representation.

As impressive as The Chi has been, hopefully its record will be broken in the not too distant future, as there need to be diversity on television and more Black dramas that also have longevity.