‘Good Times’: Meet the Stars of Netflix’s Animated Reboot of Classic Sitcom (PHOTOS)
Good Times is getting a modern update on Netflix with the upcoming animated reboot of Norman Lear‘s classic TV series.
Set to premiere Friday, April 12, the series is created by Mike Evans and Eric Montes, and executive produced by showrunner Ranada Shepard, the late Lear, Stephen Curry, and Seth MacFarlane. Described as a spiritual sequel of the original live-action series which made history in the ’70s as TV’s first Black two-parent family sitcom, Good Times follows the fourth generation of the Evans family living in apartment 17C of a Chicago housing project.
Along with featuring a posthumous vocal appearance from Lear who contributed to the series behind the scenes until his death at the age of 101, Good Times introduces a new set of characters voiced by Yvette Nicole Brown, J.B Smoove, Marsai Martin, Jay Pharoah, and Slink Johnson.
In the animated reboot, the original series is channeled through the tackling of modern-day issues. “It’s about a Black family that comes together, laughs together, and survives the system on the South Side of Chicago,” Shepard told Netlfix’s Tudum. “What you’ll get from that is a lot of social commentary, a lot of pushing the boundaries, a lot of feel-good television, but also a lot of things that may be in the vein of The Simpsons and South Park and Family Guy. When you’re looking back 10 years later, you’ll be like, ‘They said that on Good Times?’ Oh my gosh.'”
In addition to the cast members mentioned, above, Good Times also features vocals from series writer Rashida “Sheedz” Olayiwola, Lil Rel Howery, Godfrey, Jim Meskimen, Michael McDonald, Todd Haberkorn, Gerald Anthony, Pretty Vee, Gabrielle Dennis, Ego Nwodim, DaBaby, Lil Baby, and more.
Scroll down for a closer look at the voice talent stepping into the Evans family’s shoes for this animated sequel, and let us know if you plan to stream in the comments section.
Good Times, Animated Series Premiere, Friday,
J.B. Smoove as Reggie Evans
The Curb Your Enthusiasm actor portrays the series’ patriarch.
Yvette Nicole Brown as Beverly Evans
The Community vet steps in as the show’s matriarch.
Jay Pharoah as Junior Evans
The former Saturday Night Live cast member plays Reggie and Beverly’s artist son, Junior.
Marsai Martin as Grey Evans
The former Black-ish star portrays Beverly and Reggie’s activist daughter, Grey.
Slink Johnson as Dalvin Evans
Johnson voices Beverly and Reggie’s drug-dealing infant son, Dalvin.
