The industry has long been dominated by sitcoms, which audiences have enthusiastically embraced.The Simpsonsand Friends have been well-liked for a long time and have a substantial fan base. Series likeThe OfficeandBrooklyn Nine-Ninehave become increasingly popular recently. Another Netflix sitcom,The Upshaws, starring an Indiana working-class household attempting to navigate the complex relationships of a big family, debuted in 2021.
Following its release,The Upshawsshot to the top of the Netflix charts for a brief while. The New York Times said that the show delivers nostalgic humor that viewers have been yearning for Black-focused sitcoms set in the present, but with a contemporary take. Fans were also amazed to recognize several cast members. So let’s see whereThe Upshawscast has appeared in the past.
Kim Fields - Regina Upshaw
OnThe Upshaws,Kim Fieldsportrays Regina, the spouse of Bennie. Regina has endured a lot, from an adolescent pregnancy to the heartbreak of learning that her partner fathered a kid outside their relationship, and Fields infuses her with emotion and humor. Kim is well-recognized for her role inThe Facts of Lifeas Tootie. Fields captured audiences' minds as the lovely girl who grew up in more than 200 occurrences. She was among the fresh-faced “it girls” during the 1980s.
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Mike Epps - Bennie Upshaw
Bennie, played by comedianMike Epps, aspires to be a good family guy. Amidst Bennie’s swerving eye, Bennie and Regina, his high school girlfriend, had three kids together. In the celebrity-studded comedy biographyDolemite is My Name!, Epps played artist Jimmy Lynch, among the handful of occasions he played a real-life figure. Lynch played the right-hand guy and close associate of Rudy Ray Moore in the1975 film version ofDolemite. Epps, who has already starred in the twoResident Evil films, did an excellent job. For those who don’t know,Dolemite Is My Name!isan original Netflix movie.
Jermelle Simon - Bernard
Jermelle Simonportrays Bernard, the oldest Upshaw child and the one most wary of their father Bennie, in his first significant role. Bernard is a confident homosexual man who drives for UPS. Although Simon’s debut sitcom isThe Upshaws, he has a few other acting roles under his belt, including a cameo onAnimal Kingdom. In the 2019 short drama movieA Rodeo Film, Simon also has the starring part. Jermelle had a stellar performance that held the audience’s interest.
Khali Daniya-Renee Spraggins - Aaliyah
The Upshaws' little teen Aaliyah steals the show, andKhali Daniya-Renee Spraggins, an amateur, plays her. Nothing would make Aaliyah happier than to mature, get out of Indianapolis, and avoid becoming like her parents. She has only recently started watching television, and this is her first significant role. However, Spraggins may be recognizable to viewers ofEmpireas a child Cookie from the series' backstory. Even though Kahli’s involvement in the series wasn’t particularly important, it was good enough to draw attention to her.
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Journey Christine - Maya Upshaw
Diamond Lyons - Kelvin
The Upshaws' central focus is shedding light on what a contemporary mixed Midwestern household could appear. The child Bennie had when taking a pause from Regina, Kelvin, is the foundation for that mixing. Aaliyah and Kelvin are both the same age.Diamond LyonscreditsThe Upshawswith his first significant role, just like the other of his show’s siblings. He also appeared in an installment ofColin in Black & White, the miniseries on Colin Kaepernick. Lyons had a brief but significant stint.
Page Kennedy - Duck
As his ally at the workshop, Duck is among Bennie’s few pals. The actorPage Kennedyplays him. Kennedy is perhaps best known to audiences as linebacker Radon Randell from the second season ofBlue Mountain State, wherein he demonstrated some serious acting prowess. OnDesperate Housewives, Kennedy played the criminal Caleb Applewhite, another important role. OnWeeds, he portrayed a drug lord. Page has had cameos on several other productions, includingRush Hour,Six Feet Under,Justified,CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,NYPD Blue, andThe Shield.
Wanda Sykes - Lucretia
Wanda Sykesserves as the show’s originator, and Lucretia, Regina’s elder sister, onThe Upshaws. As the passive investor in Bennie’s business, Lucretia brings a spice of cheerful nosiness and biting sarcasm to the events.Sykes played Ruby, the devoted employeeof Jane Fonda’s main protagonist in the movieMonster-in-Law. Sykes' act was the film’s defining event since she stayed in the role the entire time and appeared to have just left theCurb Your Enthusiasmshoot. Wanda received the BET Comedy Award.Monster-In-Lawis also one of thebest Jennifer Lopez romantic comedies.
Gabrielle Dennis - Tasha Lewis
Gabrielle Dennisportrays Tasha Lewis, the local hairdresser, Bennie’s ex-girlfriend, and Kelvin’s mom. Being a good parent, she expects Bennie to improve as a father to their kid Kelvin. Dennis is also a key part of the ensemble ofA Black Lady Sketch Show. On the HBO show, Dennis provides a variety of standout acts, but few are as adored as Elisa, the boss of a mob known as the Coral Reefs, who has distinctive body gestures that incorporate turned-out toes.
