Fans of the iconic sitcom ‘Everybody Hates Chris‘ have reason to rejoice as the beloved show is getting an animated revival, aptly titled ‘Everybody Still Hates Chris’. Acclaimed comedian Chris Rock, who narrated and executive produced the original series, will once again lend his voice to the animated adaptation, reprising his role as the adult Chris, narrating stories inspired by his experience growing up in a working-class family in Brooklyn during the late 1980s.
Adding to the excitement, original stars Terry Crews and Tichina Arnold, who portrayed Chris’ parents in the live-action series, are confirmed to return and voice their respective characters in the animated revival. Crews will slip back into the overalls (this time in animated form) as Julius, Chris’ father, described as “a gentle giant with a relentless work ethic and frugality,” while Arnold will reprise her role as Rochelle, Chris’ “smart, strong-willed, and nurturing” mother.
“I’m very excited to introduce the world to another funny side of my childhood,” Chris Rock said in a statement, expressing his enthusiasm for revisiting his beloved creation in a new animated format.
In addition to the familiar voices, the animated series has assembled a fresh ensemble of young talent to bring the childhood versions of the characters to life. Tim Johnson Jr. (‘Pacific Rim: Uprising’) will take over the role of young Chris, the “skinny nerd who wants to be cool but is outshined by his younger brother and tortured by his little sister.” Ozioma Akagha (‘Marvel’s What If…?’) will voice Tonya, Chris’ “feisty baby sister with the face of an angel and the heart of a demon,” while Terrence Little Gardenhigh (‘Danger Force’) will lend his voice to Drew, the “golden child of the family and the epitome of Black Excellence.”
Rounding out the young cast is Gunnar Sizemore (‘Kung Fu Panda’) as Greg, Chris’s “girl-obsessed and status-conscious” best friend at school.
Created by Chris Rock and Ali LeRoi, the original ‘Everybody Hates Chris’ ran for four critically acclaimed seasons from 2005 to 2009, earning several Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and winning an NAACP Image Award in 2007. The series was praised for its honest and humorous portrayal of Rock’s childhood experiences, resonating with audiences across generations.
With the animated revival, ‘Everybody Still Hates Chris’ promises to capture the essence of the beloved original while offering a fresh perspective and innovative storytelling techniques made possible by the animated format.
Sanjay Shah, the showrunner for ‘Everybody Still Hates Chris,’ expressed his excitement for the project, revealing a lighthearted motivation: “I wanted this job to get free tickets to a Chris Rock stand-up show, but we ended up making something we’re proud of that is true to the original series we all loved.”
Everybody Still Hates Chris‘ is set to debut on Comedy Central later this year, with plans for it to be available for streaming on Paramount+ at a later date. As fans eagerly await the premiere, the ensemble of familiar and new voices promises to breathe new life into the iconic series, offering a nostalgic yet fresh take on Chris Rock’s hilarious and heartwarming coming-of-age tale.
