What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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T2 WHATS UP! January 28 - February 3, 2018 BY KYLA BREWER TV Media C hicago may be known for deep-dish pizza, the Sears Tower and the Bears, but the Windy City is also notorious for unusually high crime rates. Beyond the statistics and the headlines are stories of vibrant people struggling for a better life, and a new series shines a light on life on the city's South Side. A group of people find them- selves bound together when tragedy strikes their neighbor- hood in "The Chi," airing Sun- day, Jan. 28, on Showtime. The gritty, 10-episode drama was created by Emmy winner Lena Waithe ("Master of None"), who based the series on her experiences growing up in Chicago. The program intro- duces viewers to a diverse community that includes youngsters, parents, dreamers, a drifter and a benevolent cop seeking justice. "I hope when they watch the show, they connect with these characters. The truth is we're all a lot more alike than we think," Waithe said in a trailer for the show. Jason Mitchell ("Mud- bound," 2017) leads the ensem- ble cast as Brandon, an aspir- ing chef who dreams of one day opening a restaurant with his girlfriend, Jerrika (Tiffany Boone, "The Following"). Young actor Alex Hibbert ("Moonlight," 2016) plays Brandon's brother, Kevin, a pre-teen whose life is disrupt- ed when he witnesses some- thing shocking. Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine ("Heroes") por- trays Ronnie, a drifter. Care- free teen Emmett (Jacob Lati- more, "The Maze Runner," 2014) suddenly finds himself with new responsibilities, which he handles with advice from his mother, Jada (Yolanda Ross, "Stranger Inside," 2001). Meanwhile, Det. Cruz (Arman- do Riesco, "Garden State," 2004) keeps a watchful eye as he strives for justice, not incar- ceration. "The Chi" is executive pro- duced by Waithe, Elwood Reid ("Hawaii Five-0"), Aaron Ka- plan ("Life in Pieces"), Rick Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine stars in "The Chi" South Side drama continued on page T10 TV FEATURE