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Popular drama series The Chi focuses on life in the South Side, Chicago, and a “fateful” turn of events that connects the lives of Brandon, Kevin, Emmett, and Ronnie. Even though lead actor Jason Mitchell left the show after the first two seasons, the third continued to thrive with the addition of new characters portrayed by La La Anthony and Kandi Burruss. However, the finale for The Chi Season 3 aired and Showtime hasn’t renewed the fourth season yet. Here are five shows to watch in the meantime if you enjoyed the Lena Waithe series.

Elvis Mitchell, Lena Waithe, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Jason Mitchell, Jacob Latimore, Alex R. Hibbert and Yolonda Ross at Film Independent Presents Showtime Screening Series - The Chi
Elvis Mitchell, Lena Waithe, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Jason Mitchell, Jacob Latimore, Alex R. Hibbert and Yolonda Ross at Film Independent Presents Showtime Screening Series – “The Chi” | Araya Diaz

‘Claws’ (starring Niecy Nash, Carrie Preston, Judy Reyes, Karreuche Tran)

Led by a powerful cast of females, the comedy-drama television series centers around five manicurists living in South Florida. The ladies enter the scary yet addictive crime lifestyle when they begin laundering money for a local crime family.

Through a series of twists and turns, the women start to create their own empire. TNT renewed the show for a fourth and final season, but the COVID-19 pandemic shut production down. Claws is available to watch on Hulu.

‘For Life’ (starring Nicholas Pinnock, Indira Varma, Joy Bryant, Mary Stuart Masterson)

Executive produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, the ABC legal drama series centers around the true story of Isaac Wright Jr., who served time in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.

In prison, Wright Jr. became an attorney and represented several of his inmates while focusing on proving his own innocence. The show was renewed for a second season in June 2020. For Life is available on the ABC app.

‘Power’ (starring Omari Hardwick, Joseph Sikora, Lela Loren, Naturi Naughton)

The crime drama series revolves around a cold-hearted and brilliant New York City-based drug dealer James St. Patrick, who goes by the street name “Ghost.”

After using the illicit money to fund a now-successful club, the husband and father-of-three struggles with wanting to leave the criminal lifestyle behind and “go legit” with balancing his family.

The popular Starz series concluded after six seasons but has four spin-offs in production. Power is available to watch on the Starz app.

‘Snowfall’ (starring Damson Idris, Carter Hudson, Emily Rios, Sergio Peris-Mencheta)

Created by the late John Singleton, the 1980’s Los Angeles-based crime series tells the story of the first crack epidemic and its overall effect on the community from the users to the dealers.

It follows several individual characters who eventually intersect such as 20-year-old crack dealer Franklin Saint, Mexican professional wrestler Gustavo, a CIA agent Teddy McDonald, and a crime boss’ niece, Lucia.

The show’s three seasons are available on Hulu with the fourth season premiering in 2021 on FX.

‘The Wire’ (starring Dominic West, Idris Elba, Michael K. Williams, Sonja Sohn)

The classic crime drama show revolves around the different institutions in Baltimore, Maryland, including the crime, government, education system, seaport system, and media, and how they relate to law enforcement and the citizens.

The Wire came out in the early 2000’s and received praise for being ahead of its time with its social commentary and exploration of dysfunctional police forces and governments. All five seasons of the show are available on HBO Max.

Follow Tamara Grant on Twitter.

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