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EXCLUSIVE: The cast of the BET+ and Hartbeat adult animated series Lil Kev continues to grow with the addition of Gerald “Slink” Johnson (Black Jesus, White Men Can’t Jump) as a series regular, and Jamar Neighbors (Keanu), Cree Summer (Abbott Elementary), Anjelah Johnson-Reyes (Mad TV), and Patricia “Ms. Pat” Williams (The Ms. Pat Show) in supporting roles. The trailer for the show premiering March 6 can be found above.
Guest stars will include: Wé Ani, Mo Collins, Affion Crockett, Tyree Elaine, Justin Hires, Rick Ingraham, Jayden Libran, Freddy Lockhart, and Aiko Tanaka. Also appearing throughout the season are Loretta Devine, DJ Quik, Kyle Erby, Mélia Mills, Nicole Aimée Schreiber, Clayton Thomas, and Doc Willis.
Set in 1993 North Philadelphia, Lil Kev follows 12-year-old Kevin Hart, whose wild imagination and unshakable optimism constantly collide with his neighborhood’s harsh realities. At the same time, his no-nonsense mother Nancy (Wanda Sykes) juggles night shifts as an E.R. nurse while waging a one-woman war to keep Kev on track – no easy feat with his mischievous older brother Robert (Neighbors) blazing all the wrong trails, his trainwreck father Henry’s outrageous attempts to win Nancy back, and his ex-con uncle Richard Jr.’s (Cole) questionable life advice.
Through it all, Lil Kev navigates his rocky upbringing with humor, hustle, and heart, surrounded by the unforgettable characters who will propel him to comedy superstardom.
Johnson plays “Henry” who has a troubled past tainted by addiction. Henry’s many vices have doomed his relationship with Nancy. Still, despite his many problems and underneath all the liquor, Henry is a good man with a good heart who wants to be a good dad to Kev and Robert.
Neighbors plays “Robert,” Kev’s much taller 16-year-old “glass half-empty” older brother. Kev calls him “Negative Ned” because he constantly shits all over Kevin’s dreams and covers up his shitting-overs with the catch-all excuse that he’s “just keeping it real.” Robert is a hustler who’s all about making cash money.
Summer plays “Gerald,” Kev’s larger-than-life best friend known for his sharp humor and constant trash talk. He’s really good at playing the dozens because he’s been talked about so much he had to learn how to fight back.
Johnson-Reyes plays “Marisol,” Nancy’s shady best friend and coworker at the hospital. Marisol grew up hard, and because of this, developed thick skin and street savvy. It is extremely apparent she has the hots for the city councilman, Coleman Bridges.
Williams plays “Tiki,” a short-tempered woman who won’t let anything stand in the way of a hair appointment. She is also Dirty Dante’s mom and a gambling addict who rides the highs and lows of life at the casino. Tiki lives life on her own terms and doesn’t care what people think.
See below for additional recurring guest stars:
Ani as “Rhe Rhe,” the object of Kevin’s affection who is super cute, super sweet, and super smart. She’s never received anything lower than an A on her report card. Her goal is to be a brain surgeon one day. She rocks dookie braids and Tim’s on the regular and puts hot sauce on everything she eats.
Collins as “Mrs. O’Lady,” a 90-something senior who fondly remembers the neighborhood in the old days before her family abandoned her, leaving her the only white resident of the neighborhood. She’s kind but prejudiced and prone to saying outrageous things at the drop of a hat.
Crockett as “Darnell,” one of Uncle Richard Jr.’s boys from prison. Omar met his cellmate Darnell, and then became lovers, though they most definitely do not fit the stereotype of gay men. Tough as nails and jail-hardened, they are struggling with life on the outside, and in their apartment down the street from the Harts, they live as if still in the joint – sleeping in bunk beds, lights out at ten, a toilet/sink – the whole deal. Richard is clueless about their “situation,” even though the “situation” is pretty obvious.
Elaine as “Sapphire,” one of Richard’s two baby mamas and Lauryn’s mother. She is impatient and frustrated with Richard for his lack of fathering.
Hilarious as “Lorett,” a vivacious woman who knows how to party. She is one of Nancy’s closest friends and a local good-time girl (now, a woman).
Lee as “Soupy,” Kevin’s other best friend. He got his nickname because he loves soup so much, he fakes being sick so his mom makes him more of it. Soupy is a bit slow-witted, really bony, and awkward-looking.
Hires as “Chin Check,” Kevin’s nemesis and school bully who robs people for sport and he chin checks fools as a form of greeting. Chin Check struggles with a learning disability and is just starting to learn how to read.
Ingraham as “Lucky,” a one-legged homeless man in Kev’s neighborhood. He is not the most inspiring person, but still a fixture in the neighborhood.
Libran as “Omar,” one of Uncle Richard Jr.’s boys from prison. Omar was cellmates with Darnell, they became lovers, though they most definitely do not fit the stereotype of gay men. Tough as nails and jail-hardened, they are struggling with life on the outside, and in their apartment down the street from the Harts, they live as if still in the joint.
Lockhart as “Principal Johnson,” Kev’s bullhorn-toting middle school principal who uses his bullhorn any chance he gets.
Tanaka as “Mrs. Park,” the Asian lady who owns the local bodega, where Nancy does all her shopping, and Kevin and his buddies hang out and buy fruit roll-ups and X-Treme Hot Cheese Balls. Mrs. Park barks out prices and store rules to all that enter her establishment but is hardly ever seen, except through the four-inch bulletproof glass separating her from her customers. She has a shotgun that she treats like a pet, even giving it a name – “Blasty.”
Kevin Hart, Bryan Smiley, Jeff Clanagan, Mike Stein, and Candice Wilson Cherry executive produce for Hartbeat, the studio on the project. Hartbeat’s Tiffany Brown acts as co-executive producer. Matthew Claybrooks and Michael Price serve as both EPs and showrunners. Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico will also executive produce for ShadowMachine. ShadowMachine led animation for the series, and Musa Brooker acts as supervising director. Jason Harvey and Rose Catherine Pinkney will executive produce for BET+.
