'The Chi' will end after Season 8 after 'much reflection,' Lena Waithe reveals

After eight seasons, "The Chi" is set to come to an end.

The Showtime drama created by Emmy-winning producer and writer Lena Waithe will wrap the longest-running Black drama on cable with its next season.

Waithe, a Chicago native, shared the news on social media Wednesday, Oct. 1, sharing the announcement first made by Deadline.

"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," Waithe, 41, wrote on Instagram. "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."

Laithe said the decision to wrap the series was made after "much reflection" and added: "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."

"The Chi" has featured a dynamic cast, with Jacob Latimore, Michael Epps, Birgundi Baker, Shamon Brown Jr., Yolonda Ross, Luke James and Lynn Whitfield among Season 7's main cast. Whitfield won an NAACP Image Award for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for her role in February.

Season 7's season finale aired in August.

The "Queen and Slim" producer noted "The Chi" surpassed another Chicago-based Showtime drama, "Soul Food," as "the longest-running Black drama on television."

"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," Waithe continued. "I'm deeply grateful to every single person who helped build this world—our writers, actors and crew who give so much of themselves to make this show what it is."

The "Ready Player One" actress told followers that though "The Chi" is coming to an end, she still plans "on telling stories, continuing to build community, and making space for us all to be seen."

Latimore, who plays Emmett Washington, commented on Waithe's post, writing, "What a ride."

The series has featured a who's who of Black entertainers as recurring stars over the years, including Common, La La Anthony and Jason Weaver.

Kandi Burruss, who has made appearances since Season 3, wrote, "You created an epic series & a moment in culture we'll never forget! I'm thankful to have been a part of it." And rapper Da Brat, who starred in Seasons 4 and 6, added her gratitude: "THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME BE A PART OF SOMETHING SO EPIC!"