As the saying goes, all good things must come to an end, and after eight amazing seasons, Chi Paramount will stream its series finale on Friday, July 24 for Paramount+ premium plan subscribers and on Sunday, July 26 at 9 pm ET on the Showtime cable network. This will no doubt be a bittersweet moment for fans who have watched from the beginning as TV series creator Lena Waithe developed a multi-generational and layered version of The Windy City, showcasing the ups and downs of family, romance and a journey of self-discovery.
One person who helped keep the drama going on Season 1 Episode 1 is singer and actor Jacob Latimore. For more than eight years, he has played Emmett Washington, a character who audiences have watched transform from a reluctant teen parent to a businessman, family man, and universally valued member of his hometown.
Ahead of the series finale, I had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with Latimore and learn about his character’s journey on the show and his overall legacy. Chi. Plus, with an exclusive peek at the last episode, I had to ask their thoughts on how it all ends.
Theme of ‘The Chi’: “Family, Forgiveness, Healing, Uncomfortable Conversations”
men’s journal:Jacob, congratulations on eight successful seasons Chi. Given the legacy of the show, what impression do you want to leave with fans after watching the final episode?
Latimore: I think our show has always focused on big topics like family, forgiveness, healing, uncomfortable conversations. What might things look like in certain dynamics and certain conversations, where you know maybe you’re like ‘I wouldn’t say this, but let’s see what that might look like.’ And that’s the beauty of storytelling. And I think when people watch our show, I think they’ll see some things that maybe relate to their lives and say, ‘You know what, let’s try this. Let’s try to talk about that. And I think our show has been incredible in that way.
men’s journal: Well, along these lines, how has Emmett shaped you in your life?
Latimore: Yes, it is different. I mean, Emmett’s life is very different. In fact, it’s really humbling for me. I got into the music business and film industry at a very young age. I booked my first television show gig when I was 11 years old. So I was educated at home. My life was a little different. And I tried to be as social as possible to feel as normal as possible. But I think many moments in the show humbled me. Like working at the chicken shop, and picking up babies, and holding the baby, and changing clothes, and stuff in life, and running to work, and paying attention to work, and trying to make extra money. Those are the real, real-life things that I feel make the character so relatable.
Even just love the shoes. I think I’ve started liking the shoes even more after the show. Because I want to say the first, or first two seasons, I’m a super sweatpants hoodie kind of guy, and I feel like the first thing people will do is look at me like that (looking down at my feet). (laughing) Look down at my shoes. And I may not have the best shoes. I hadn’t thought about it, but it was becoming important. It was becoming important that I had some Jordans.
Evolution of the father/son duo: Darnell and Emmett
Photo Credit: Sandy Morris/Paramount+ with Showtime
In an early glimpse of Chi The series finale that Showtime shared men’s journal, Emmett (Latimore) and Darnell (Rolando Boyce) have a heart-to-heart about Emmett’s upcoming wedding, which once again shows how remarkably far they have come in their relationship. To keep an eye.
men’s journal: Watching a clip from the finale, where Emmett and Darnell are talking about wedding plans, what do you credit for how much their relationship has improved since Darnell first appeared in Season 2? Do you think Emmett’s complicated journey to fatherhood played a role?
Latimore: Yes man, breaking generational curses is a real thing. We will get to see this in this show. We get to see it all up close and personal. And we see Emmett make a deliberate effort to go about it. Because now he has young sons and he is trying to find time for each son. And he wants to do everything he can to be the best father he can be and learn from his father’s mistakes, so he can move on and heal. It’s a really interesting dynamic of him becoming a better father after being a better son, and learning from his father’s mistakes and his weaknesses.
men’s journal: Zooming in again on the show’s legacy, was there a scene or moment that really surprised you?
Latimore: Man, so many scenes, so many moments. Honestly, the Season 8, father/son conversation about just sex was definitely, I think, one of the most important scenes of Emmett as a father. And really getting to the big elephant in the room, like, ‘This is what we’re dealing with, son, and you’re my son. So if I am my father’s son, then you are my son. (laughs) We have to address something that’s very important.
Maybe to take it back. That’s it, season 1, just out of the gate. Yolanda (Yolanda Ross plays Jada Washington) comes over and sits on that bed and under her is Keisha (Birgundi Baker), and you’re like, ‘Okay.’ Everyone gets to that moment where they wanted to experience something that they just shouldn’t have done, and parents say, ‘What are you doing?’ That was the first take. That was the first day I worked on the set as well, so we got properly prepared (laughs).
What to expect in ‘The Chi’ series finale
men’s journal: I know you can’t give away too many spoilers, but how would you describe the series finale in more than three words?
latimore: Pardon, Surprise, Home.
Again, the series finale Chi The show will air on the Showtime cable network for Paramount+ Premium plan subscribers on Friday, July 24 and Sunday, July 26 at 9 p.m. ET.
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