7 Shows Like ‘The Chi’ If You Love the Showtime Drama Series

Take a trip to Chicago (without having to pack your bags) with Showtime’s The Chi.

The Chi is a coming-of-age drama series centered around a group of individuals living on the South Side of Chicago. Throughout the must-see show, we see Emmett Washington (Jacob Latimore), Brandon Johnson (Jason Mitchell), Ronnie Davis (Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine) and Kevin Williams (Alex R. Hibbert) navigate life after a recent murder impacts their neighborhood, ultimately bringing the community together in a brand new way.

The beloved series beautifully captures real world issues, making the show extremely relatable to each and every viewer (regardless of their upbringing), all while highlighting the harsh realities of what it is like living on the South Side of Chicago. While The Chi is known for its spine-chilling depictions of police brutality, gang violence, shootings, feuds and more, there is so much more than meets the eye. 

Also within The Chi, viewers can watch a group of working-class African Americans chase their dreams and embrace their community, despite how rocky it may be at times. Jam-packed with emotion, drama, love, loss and more, The Chi is sure to tickle anyone’s fancy. 

Premiering on Showtime back in 2018, the hit series has been running ever since, with season six beginning earlier this month. With new episodes airing every Sunday, fans are left wondering what show will fill the void when the sixth season of The Chi eventually comes to a close. 

Fortunately, the Decider crew has compiled a list of seven must-see shows that draw quite a few similarities to The Chi. From All American to The Wire to Atlanta and beyond, keep scrolling to see our picks, and be sure to add them to your watchlist ASAP.

1. Treme

   HBO’s Treme is yet another story that deals with a community struggling after tragedy, much like we see in The Chi.

   Throughout Treme, we see individuals struggle to rebuild their lives after Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans. Using their unique culture as a common ground, the people of Tremé (a neighborhood in New Orleans) band together to find hope in a time of trouble, ultimately resembling the plot of The Chi. 

   Depicting the culture of New Orleans in a truly beautiful way, all while showcasing the determination of its residents, Tremé is nothing short of spectacular. It is sure to have you hooked from the very beginning!

   where to stream treme

2. The Red Line

   If you are especially intrigued by all things Chicago, then CBS’ The Red Line is for you.

   Set in Chicago as well, The Red Line follows the story of a white police officer who accidentally shoots and kills an innocent black man, highlighting the harsh realities of being African American in today’s society. With a strong emphasis on police brutality in the United States, the hit series showcases the impact that this unsettling murder has on the community, as well as the raw emotions that come with it, and it is sure to leave each and every viewer feeling inspired.  

   Given that The Red Line and The Chi both follow stories set in Chicago and its relationship with its residents, it is arguably the most similar series on our list. If you loved watching The Chi, there is no doubt that you will want to check out this eight-episode series!

   where to stream the red line

3. All American

   If you are looking for another yet another show that tackles the harsh realities of life in a neighborhood riddled with police brutality, gang violence, shootings, feuds and more, CW’s All American is sure to be right up your alley.

   With a sports-related twist that sets All American apart from The Chi, the hit series tells the story of a rising football star from South Crenshaw, Spencer James (Daniel Ezra), who transfers to a high school in Beverly Hills to further his athletic career. Aside from navigating his football journey, All American showcases some of the not-so glamorous aspects of Spencer’s transition in an extremely engaging way, dealing with racial prejudice and more throughout his time at Beverly Hills High School. 

   Since its premiere back in 2018, All American has been nominated for numerous NAACP Image Awards, due to its real world portrayal of being an African-American man in today’s society. With a storyline that is jam-packed with drama, be sure to check out All American (or its spinoff series, All American: Homecoming) if you want a show that will keep you on the edge of your seat for five seasons straight.

   where to stream all american

4. The Wire

   Another show centered around the drug scene in Baltimore is HBO’s The Wire, however, it has a much stronger emphasis on law enforcement rather than victims alone.

   Written by author and former police reporter David Simon, the same brain behind Treme, the hit series is focused on the varying crime, government, education, seaport and media systems in Baltimore and how they connect with one another.

   The Wire follows Detective James McNulty (Dominic West) and his team throughout their journey to find out how drug-related crime intertwines with various aspects of society, ultimately uncovering a multitude of secrets along the way. Throughout this must-see series, real world issues are captured in an extremely thought-provoking manner, just like we see within The Chi.

   With all five seasons of the show available to stream on HBO Max, check them out now if you are looking for something that is sure to get your gears turning. 

5. Snowfall

   Drawing quite a few similarities to The Wire (and, of course, The Chi), FX’s Snowfall is another drug-focused drama series that is sure to grasp your attention. 

   Based in Los Angeles, Snowfall tells the spine-chilling story of the first-ever crack epidemic and its overall impact on society, following a wide range of characters along the way: a 20-year-old drug dealer named Franklin Saint (Damson Idris), a professional wrestler named Gustavo “El Oso” Zapata (Sergio Peris-Mencheta), a CIA agent named Teddy McDonald (Carter Hudson) and more.

   Just like we see throughout The Chi, Snowfall is jam-packed with drama, highlighting the complexities of this era of society, all while highlighting diverse individuals.

   Running for five seasons and concluding earlier this year, now is the time to binge Snowfall from start to finish.

   where to stream snowfall

6. Atlanta

   Looking for a show like The Chi, but with a little bit more comedy? FX’s Atlanta is a must-see series that you need to check out.

   The hit show follows the lives of an aspiring rapper, Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles (Brian Tyree Henry), and his cousin-turned-manager, Earn Marks (Donald Glover), showcasing some of the not-so glamorous sides to the music industry in a comedic way.

   White it seems relatively lighthearted, Atlanta is also known for its deep dive into race, as well as its portrayal of the complex yet beautiful nature of one of America’s greatest cities, ultimately drawing quite a few similarities to The Chi. 

   Garnering two Golden Globe Awards and two Primetime Emmy Awards, its accolades speak for themselves! Atlanta is a phenomenal show that you need to add to your watchlist ASAP.

   Where to stream atlanta

7. Chicago Fire

   Revolving around the lives of firefighters and paramedics, NBC’s Chicago Fire is another show set in Chicago that focuses on what really goes on throughout the city. 

   With strong character development throughout the beloved series, we see Chicago’s first responders struggling with personal problems of their own episode after episode, however, they push them aside to focus on saving their community. Nonetheless, between their personal problems and their duties as firemen, Chicago Fire showcases some of the real world issues we see throughout The Chi, in a slightly different perspective.

   Running nonstop since 2012, with its highly-anticipated 12th season on the way, you need to get started ASAP if you want to be caught up on Chicago Fire by the time the new season drops.

   where to stream chicago fire

Born and raised in Orange County, California, Melanie Rooten is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. Melanie has a true passion for all things pop culture, and she tends to spend her free time going to concerts and music festivals, binging her favorite TV shows, spending time with her friends and family and cheering on the Oklahoma Sooners (of course). You can connect with her on Twitter (@MelanieRooten) to see all of her recent articles.