Jason Weaver Talks #TheChi Season Six [Exclusive]

The wait is sort of over for the second half of the record-breaking sixth season of The Chi, and one of many present’s stars is chatting with BOSSIP.

Supply: Shaniqwa Jarvis / Showtime

As beforehand reported, season six will proceed to comply with Emmett (Jacob Latimore) and Kiesha (Birgundi Baker) as their union is examined by Emmett’s perilous partnership with Douda (Curtiss Cook dinner). Issues have taken a harmful flip contemplating that Emmett and Rob (Iman Shumpert) did not assassinate the villainous boss, and the 2 of them must brace for repercussions.

Not solely that, however Shaad (Jason Weaver) can also be in disaster mode after unintentionally telling his girlfriend Deja about his infidelity, will she forgive him and let it go, or is it over for good?

Season six is outwardly going to be so scorching that Paramount+ with Showtime has already renewed the present for season 7 with manufacturing beginning later this month in Chicago.

Forward of the renewal information and season six half two, Jason Weaver chatted with BOSSIP about its return, his character Shaad’s historical past of errors, and what watchers can anticipate.

BOSSIP: As a Chicago native, what’s it prefer to see individuals proceed to tune in to look at this present?

Jason Weaver: Oh, it’s unimaginable. It’s unimaginable to have the ability to see not solely individuals from the town, from the south facet of Chicago, from locations and neighborhoods that you just grew up in and also you’re aware of. To see that sort of love and assist coming from there, but in addition on a nationwide scale and to some extent globally, as a result of I’ve had some individuals attain out to me from the UK and different components of Europe that take a look at the present and adore it. And I simply assume that it’s a testomony primary; to Lena Waithe’s artistic imaginative and prescient and the dedication that she and the producers and the community have to simply put in; nice writing, nice storylines, completely nice characters which can be developed very well over an prolonged time period.

When you’ve gotten these substances after which you’ve gotten a core group of solid members out of an enormous ensemble solid for the core group who’ve been there since day one, like Jacob Latimore, Birgundi Baker, Yolanda [Ross], Rolando [Boyce], all of those individuals who have been contributing since day one. Simply to see it develop like that and with them sort of injecting their artistic vitality into it. There’s a cause why individuals nonetheless lock in with the present is as a result of there are simply so many alternative parts there that appeal to you, and I’m simply honored and really grateful and blessed to have the ability to be part of it and contribute.

Completely, and I believe one factor that captures viewers is the character you play, Shaad. He’s s attempting to be on the straight and slender, attempting to do proper, however each every so often issues go means left. We actually simply noticed that occur when he received caught up by Deja, how is he feeling amidst all of this turmoil?

Nicely, right here’s what I’ll say about Shaad’s journey transferring ahead. Persons are going to see him take a 180, however I believe in a great way, and what I imply by that’s he’s going to be taking over much more duty. There’s going to be quite a lot of soul-searching and development and improvement that he’s going to be doing as a person. It’s going to be quite a lot of issues that I believe he’s going to return to phrases with and must work himself within the mirror about, particularly because it pertains to accountability and duty and dedication and loyalty. And I imply, don’t get me flawed, Shaad is already a really loyal character anyhow. You may see that with the connection that he has with Victor and Jake, however I believe with him popping out of the system and being launched again into society, he’s nonetheless working some issues out, however on the identical time, he’s actually taking that point to go, ‘Maintain on. Okay, lemme examine myself as a result of now I’m in a brand new place doing one thing totally different and I actually have to be on level and maintain myself accountable and actually step into my true goal and stroll into my true goal. ‘And that’s what followers of The Chi will see with Shaad this season.

Supply: Shaniqwa Jarvis / Showtime

He looks like quite a lot of enjoyable to play…

He’s quite a lot of enjoyable. And Lena and the writers are all the time attempting to determine new methods to show one other layer of him. Particularly layers of vulnerability, these issues that you just hardly ever get an opportunity to see on display in relation to black male characters. So I believe that’s stunning that I’m given the chance as an actor and as a black male actor, to have the ability to inform that sort of story and have that sort of connection even by means of my very own private experiences that I’ve. In order that’s dope. I adore it. And I can’t thank Lena sufficient for that.

Talking of Shaad’s vulnerability, now that he’s gone by means of all of this turmoil, who can he rely on to get by means of this? As a result of such as you stated, he’s very loyal to Jake, he’s very loyal to Victor however who shall be loyal to him?

You asking some nice questions as a result of the cool factor about that’s, I believe there’s a twist there the place individuals are going to be shocked to see who he does lean on and who he does gravitate in the direction of for that sort of assist as he’s coming extra into his personal as a person. I believe the viewers goes to be pleasantly shocked to see how that storyline unfolds and develops for him as a personality. So I’ll simply say with that individual query, keep tuned as episodes go on.

Received it! So one other character that I discover attention-grabbing is Bakari. And I get pleasure from seeing the dynamic of his relationship with Shaad as a result of I really feel like Shaad actually ranges with him and tells it like it’s.

How way more of the connection will we see partially two of season six?

So far as these two characters and their storylines intertwining, the viewers goes to proceed to have the ability to see them develop, develop, and evolve. However I believe what the viewers can also be going to get an opportunity to see, and one thing that I consider we had touched on, and the primary a part of season six was actually psychological well being consciousness, particularly males’s psychological well being and therapeutic circles and supporting each other by means of these therapeutic teams that enable us to be weak with each other and clear. You’re going to see them being supportive in the direction of each other and loving and inspiring each other. As black males, you’re going to see that narrative and that imagery actually projected on the market so much within the second a part of season six. And it’s applicable that we’d be premiering in Might as a result of I consider that is psychological well being consciousness month. So what the viewers goes to be actually handled to within the second half of the season is seeing extra examples of that and simply black males normally actually coming collectively and supporting and searching for solutions by means of each other.

So I believe that’s a very dope factor, and I do know that it resonates and it connects with the neighborhood as a result of I get approached within the streets about that from brothers and simply from our individuals normally, from each Black males and Black girls. I get approached about that, and it’s all the time very constructive suggestions. So that you’ll see extra of that with Shaad and Bakari, and then you definitely’ll additionally see different examples of that with Bakari and a few of the different older male characters within the present.

Ahmad Ferguson, who performs Bakari, has simply carried out a fully phenomenal job in that function, and it’s such an honor to work with him. I simply wished to level that out and for individuals to essentially proceed to concentrate to that younger man as a result of with the extra alternatives that he’s blessed and given, he’s going to turn out to be a drive to be reckoned with in business. Individuals ought to proceed to maintain their eyes out on him.

Completely, and whereas we have now this constructive side of The Chi, we have now to speak about Doudah, and Emmett and Rob’s failed try and take him out.

What sort of fallout can we anticipate from that scenario?

That character is unquestionably on the heart of this complete present and all these totally different storylines that exist inside the present. It’ll be turned up. It positively reaches a stage the place the viewers goes to be thrilled. They’re going to be entertained, they’re going to be involved, they’re going to be caught off guard. And what I’ll say is you’re going to see Douda actually look to take over the town and he goes arduous by the way in which that he does it. I believe it’s going to shock lots of people and also you’ll see how sure characters react to that within the present. Simply fasten your seatbelt as a result of Curtis Cook dinner places up a tremendous efficiency. I do know I maintain utilizing that phrase for each solid member, however it’s true.

The caliber of expertise on this present is simply unimaginable. And Curtis Cook dinner has been our captain on this present, particularly since I’ve been there as a result of I’ve been solely been on the present since season 4. So Curtis has actually been my go-to man that I look to as a pacesetter on set and off after we’re all gathered collectively and simply hanging out and having dinner and smoking cigars. Curtis is simply a kind of guys. It’s a pleasure and it’s an honor to simply watch him work and to look at him make these choices as an actor for the journey he’s taken this character on. I’ve been capable of get a front-row seat on set watching him, and I’ve discovered a lot within the time that I’ve labored with Curtis Cook dinner, and he’s simply completely good. So I hope that with this explicit season, he’ll get some sort of recognition for his efficiency that he’s put up with this character as a result of he’s actually deserving of it.

Supply: Shaniqwa Jarvis / Showtime

We’re wanting ahead to seeing extra of you on The Chi and extra of you exterior of The Chi, the place can we sustain with you?

Oh man, you guys examine me out on Instagram, after all, it’s @JasonWeaver and that’s related to my Fb as effectively. What I’ll inform individuals is simply to sort of examine in with me sometimes with updates, as a result of there are quite a lot of issues that I’m growing alone as a producer and as a content material creator and developer. And I’ve the chance now to essentially have interaction and work together with my core viewers fan base straight by means of social media.