Production of Showtime's Hit Series 'The Chi' Temporarily Halted Amidst Ongoing WGA Strike
The Cast of Showtime’s ‘The Chi’
In a surprising turn of events, the production of Showtime's beloved drama series, 'The Chi,' has come to a standstill as a result of the ongoing WGA strike. The show, known for its captivating portrayal of life in Chicago, has been forced to pause its upcoming sixth season due to strike-related disruptions. With eight episodes already completed, fans are left wondering when they can expect the premiere of Season 6 and whether there will be any changes to the episode release schedule.
Monday marked the second consecutive day of picketing at the filming location, prompting the decision to halt production on 'The Chi.' The strike had already caused a canceled location shoot on Friday, further intensifying the tensions between the Writers Guild of America and the show's production team.
Fortunately, prior to the strike, the crew managed to shoot eight episodes for Season 6. These episodes were completed based on scripts that were finished beforehand. However, it remains uncertain when production will resume and whether there will be any modifications to the upcoming season's format.
While Showtime has yet to announce a premiere date for Season 6, there is speculation that the network might consider splitting the season into two parts. This potential move would allow eager fans to enjoy fresh episodes sooner while accommodating the production delays caused by the strike. Neither Showtime nor 'The Chi' producer 20th Television has provided official comments regarding this speculation.
The strike gained momentum on social media when writers associated with 'The Chi' were alerted on Sunday night about the early call time, urging them to arrive before 4 AM to evade picketers. In response, the writers rallied together and successfully established a picket line at the Cinespace Chicago Film Studios in the early hours of Monday. The Writers Guild of America expressed their gratitude to the teamsters and IATSE 476 for their solidarity in not crossing the picket line.
Created and executive produced by Lena Waithe and executive produced by Common, 'The Chi' is a coming-of-age drama that unfolds in the vibrant setting of Chicago's South Side. In addition to Waithe and Common, the series boasts an impressive lineup of executive producers, including showrunner Justin Hillian, Aaron Kaplan, Rick Famuyiwa, Derek Dudley, and Shelby Stone of ID8 Multimedia, Rishi Rajani, CEO of Hillman Grad Productions, and Jewel Coronel.
As 'The Chi' joins the ranks of shows affected by the WGA strike, fans eagerly await news of when production will resume and Season 6 will grace their screens. The dedication and unity displayed by the writers and production team in the face of adversity reflect the resilience and commitment that have made 'The Chi' a beloved and critically acclaimed series.
