Trailer For Kevin Hart Animated Series, ‘Lil Kev’ Drops As More Names Are Revealed
BET+ and Hartbeat’s upcoming animated series Lil Kev continues to expand its star-studded cast. Gerald “Slink” Johnson (Black Jesus, White Men Can’t Jump) joins as a series regular, alongside supporting cast members Jamar Neighbors (Keanu), Cree Summer (Abbott Elementary), Anjelah Johnson-Reyes (Mad TV), and Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams (The Ms. Pat Show). The series premieres on March 6.
Guest stars include Wé Ani, Mo Collins, Affion Crockett, Tyree Elaine, Justin Hires, Rick Ingraham, Jayden Libran, Freddy Lockhart, and Aiko Tanaka. Additional appearances feature Loretta Devine, DJ Quik, Kyle Erby, Mélia Mills, Nicole Aimée Schreiber, Clayton Thomas, and Doc Willis.
Set in 1993 North Philadelphia, Lil Kev follows a young Kevin Hart (voiced by Hart) as he navigates childhood with an unshakable imagination despite his tough surroundings. His determined mother Nancy (Wanda Sykes) works tirelessly as an E.R. nurse while keeping him on the right path, dealing with his reckless older brother Robert (Neighbors), his troubled father Henry (Johnson), and his ex-con uncle Richard Jr. (Cole).
Johnson plays Henry, a father battling addiction who still tries to be there for his sons. Neighbors portrays Robert, Kev’s cynical and money-hungry older brother. Summer voices Gerald, Kev’s sharp-witted best friend. Johnson-Reyes plays Marisol, Nancy’s street-smart best friend, and Williams takes on Tiki, a fiery-tempered gambler.
Recurring characters include Rhe Rhe (Ani), Kevin’s crush with big ambitions; Mrs. O’Lady (Collins), the elderly, outspoken neighborhood matriarch; Darnell and Omar (Crockett, Libran), ex-convicts adjusting to life outside prison; Sapphire (Elaine), one of Richard Jr.’s frustrated baby mamas; Soupy (Lee), Kevin’s awkward, soup-loving friend; and Chin Check (Hires), a school bully with a learning disability.
Behind the scenes, Kevin Hart, Bryan Smiley, Jeff Clanagan, Mike Stein, and Candice Wilson Cherry executive produce for Hartbeat, with Tiffany Brown as co-executive producer. Matthew Claybrooks and Michael Price serve as showrunners and EPs. Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico executive produce for ShadowMachine, the animation studio behind the project. Musa Brooker is the supervising director, while Jason Harvey and Rose Catherine Pinkney executive produce for BET+.
With a blend of humor and heart, Lil Kev brings Hart’s childhood to life, offering a nostalgic yet hilarious look at his early years. The series promises an engaging mix of comedy, family dynamics, and streetwise storytelling.
