# The Family Business (American TV series)

The Family Business is an American crime family drama created by Carl Weber and based on his bestselling crime drama book series. Originally developed as an independent film franchise, BET produced it as a series in 2018.
The series follows the Duncans, an upstanding family that owns and operates an exotic car dealership in New York. It stars Ernie Hudson and Valarie Pettiford. A spin-off The Family Business: New Orleans starring Lela Rochon has been ordered by BET+ in 2024.

## Cast and characters
### Main

* Ernie Hudson as Lavernius "L.C." Duncan - L.C. Duncan is the patriarch and CEO of the Duncan Family business: Duncan Motors. Known as a no nonsense affluent businessman in the legitimate and underworld, L.C.'s reputation precedes him. However, it's finally time to sit back and enjoy life with his wife and grandchildren, so he has finally decided it's time to pass on the mantle of leadership.
* Valarie Pettiford as Charlotte "Chippy" Duncan - The stunning Duncan matriarch who keeps the family together no matter what the challenges are. She can be sweet as pie, yet tough as nails. Her love for her husband and family can never be challenged.
* Darrin Henson as Orlando Duncan - Orlando is the handsome, smart and edgy, newly appointed CEO of Duncan Motors. His new appointment comes not only as a surprise but also with jealousy and controversy despite his workaholic tendencies.
* Javicia Leslie as Paris Duncan - Paris is the youngest daughter of the Duncan family. A glamorous spoiled party girl who always gets what she wants and knows how to handle herself in any situation. She's educated, seductive and knows how to handle a gun.
* Sean Ringgold as Junior Duncan - The oldest of the Duncan children and as large as any professional football player. Junior is the family's security specialist. No matter what the situation is, he is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his family.
* Tami Roman as London Duncan-Grant - London is the oldest daughter and mother of Mariah & Maria. She's appearing to be a home body for the most part, but London has many tantalizing secrets of her own.
* Miguel A. Núñez Jr. as Harris Grant - Harris is the husband of the Duncans' oldest daughter London and the Duncan family lawyer and fixer. He has his hands in most of the family business dealings and was the most surprised when L.C. passed him up for Orlando to run the family business.
* Arrington Foster as Rio Duncan - Paris's flamboyant twin brother who manages a popular club & lounge in New York City. Rio is willing to do whatever he can to prove to his father that he deserves the same respect as his brothers.
* Dylan Weber as Nevada Duncan - The teenage son of Vegas and heir to the Duncan leadership. Nevada is the only grandson being groomed to run the Duncan family business.
* Emilio Rivera (season 1: recurring later) as Alejandro Zuniga - Alejandro is a savvy Mexican crime boss in Los Angeles who is the leader of Zuniga Cartel and is a longtime foe of the Duncan family. He's trying to mend fences through his son, but the jury is still out on whether he plans on stabbing them in the back.
* Clifton Powell (season 1: recurring later) as Uncle Lou Duncan - Lou is L.C.'s brother and partner. While L.C. is the face of Duncan Motors, Lou and his crew are the ones who get their hands dirty both under the hood of cars and in the streets.
* Yadi Rivera as Consuela Zuniga (season 4; recurring seasons 1–3) - Alejandro's hot and fierce wife and mother of Miguel. Known as "La Madrina", she is as cruel, brutal and bloody as her husband and cartel boss, Alejandro.
* LisaRaye McCoy as Donna Duncan (seasons 1–2, 4, guest in season 3)
* KJ Smith as Sasha Duncan (seasons 1–2, guest in season 3) - Paris and Rio's lustful cousin and a hot woman of the Duncan family. Like her cousin Paris, she is intelligent, manipulative, beautiful, sexy, knows how to seduce and eliminate people like no one else.
* Dylan Weber as Nevada Duncan - The teenage son of Vegas and heir to the Duncan leadership. Nevada is the only grandson being groomed to run the Duncan family business.
* Michael Jai White as Vegas Duncan - Vegas is the wise and mysterious missing brother of the Duncan family. He is respected by all but his whereabouts are known to few.
* Stan Shaw as Larry Duncan, L.C.'s older brother who was held at a mental institution and blames L.C. and his family for his hospitalization. He has been plotting his escape and revenge for years. (Seasons 3–4)
* Brely Evans as Sonya Duncan (season 4, recurring seasons 1–3) - married to Junior Duncan
* Ben Stephens as Curtis Duncan (season 4) - Curtis is a bounty hunter and the nephew of L.C. Duncan
* Deyshaun Tucker as Roman Duncan (season 6, recurring season 5)
* Christian Keyes as Niles Monroe (season 6, recurring seasons 1—3: guest in season 5) - love interest of Paris Duncan

### Recurring

* Armand Assante as Sal Dash (season 1) - Mafia crime boss and close ally to the Duncan family. Sal has a major concern with certain changes that are happening within the Duncan family as well as a purchase he made with L.C. Duncan.
* Carlos Sotelo as Miguel Zuniga (season 1) - Miguel is the sharp-suited attractive son of Mexican crime Boss Alejandro Zuniga. He emerges with an opportunity that could save the Duncans from disaster but only if he can resist the temptation of their youngest daughter, Paris.
* Nicholas Turturro as Councilman Ronald Sims
* Travis Winfrey as Sebastian
* James Black as Rob
* Bubba Ganter as James
* Antoine Holmes Sr. and Spencer Holmes as Carl and Carlos, the Duncan's bodyguards
* Franky G as Juan Rodriguez
* Kimberly Patterson as Ruby - Ruby is a young woman from Jamaica, who found herself in an unforeseen circumstance where she had to step up to the plate for her family by signing up with an escorting agency. With her first client being Orlando Duncan (the heir to the family's car and drug business), she managed to steal his heart unexpectedly.
* Christian Madsen as Vinnie Dash
* Anthony Montgomery as Elijah (seasons 2–4)
* Carl Gilliard as Brother Minister (seasons 2–4)
* Flex Alexander as Low Jack
* Sadie Brook as Doll (seasons 1–3)
* Paige McGarvin as Baby (seasons 1-3)
* Brandee Evans as Sage
* Todd Anthony as Lamont Hudson - also appears in Carl Weber's Influence
* Denise Boutte as Raven Bonclair, cunning and gorgeous baby momma of a high-ranking Duncan family associate. (Seasons 3–4)
* Sheila E. as Maude, owner of one of the nation's most exclusive Manicure Spas which fronts for a money laundering operation. (Season 3)
* Jasper Cole as Cory Black
* Lew Temple as Billy Bob, a local drug dealer
* Horace Dodd as Aires Cora
* Jasmin Brown as Charmaine, the no-nonsense sister of Brother X
* Kearia Schroeder as Nefertiti, the daughter of Brother Minister
* Desiree Mitchell as Melanie Grant, a secret child to someone within the Duncan family
* Dawn Halfkenny as Brandi (seasons 2–4)
* Eva LaRue as Kim
* Treach as Brother X (seasons 2–4)
* Erica Joy as Holly - new love interest of Brother X (seasons 3—4)
* Nazo Bravo as Demetri Igor (season 3) - a Russian oligarch
* Lindsay Diann as Danielle
* Bern Nadette Stanis as Nee Nee Duncan (season 4) - wife of Larry Duncan
* Stan Shaw as Larry Duncan (season 4)
* Nayirah Teshali as Lauryn Duncan (season 4)
* Sacaiah Shaw as Kenny Duncan (season 4)
* RonReaco Lee as Bobby Boyd (season 5) - lovers of Karrin and Paris Duncan - also appears in The Black Hamptons
* Trisha Mann-Grant as Dominique Leroux (season 3)
* Patrick Duffy as Sheriff KD Shrugs (season 5)

### Notable guest stars

* Robert Picardo as Bernie (Seasons 1-3)
* Malik Yoba as Randy Moss (Season 1)
* Gary Dourdan as Trent Duncan (Season 1)
* D.C. Young Fly as Mack (Season 1)
* Brandon T. Jackson as Marquis Duncan (Season 5)

## Episodes

| Season | Episodes | Episodes | Originally released | Originally released | Originally released |
| Season | Episodes | Episodes | First released | Last released | Network |
| 1 | 8 | 8 | November 13, 2018 (2018-11-13) | January 29, 2019 (2019-01-29) | BET |
| 2 | 12 | 6 | July 2, 2020 (2020-07-02) | August 6, 2020 (2020-08-06) | BET+ |
| 2 | 12 | 6 | December 31, 2020 (2020-12-31) | December 31, 2020 (2020-12-31) | | BET+ |
| 3 | 12 | 12 | October 14, 2021 (2021-10-14) | October 14, 2021 (2021-10-14) | | BET+ |
| 4 | 10 | 10 | September 1, 2022 (2022-09-01) | October 27, 2022 (2022-10-27) | BET+ |
| 5 | 10 | 10 | July 4, 2024 (2024-07-04) | August 29, 2024 (2024-08-29) | BET+ |

### Season 1 (2018–19)

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | U.S. viewers (millions) |
| 1 | 1 | "We Are At War" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | November 13, 2018 (2018-11-13) | 0.38 |
| A upstanding New York African American upper class family's empire is threatened when a supplier's betrayal shakes up their business and has the power to shake up the family. |||||||
| 2 | 2 | "The Games Have Just Begun" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | November 20, 2018 (2018-11-20) | 0.43 |
| LC brings down the hammers as he tries to figure out what happened to his missing drug shipment. Meanwhile, Harris receives an offer from an ally of the family. |||||||
| 3 | 3 | "Show Down" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | November 27, 2018 (2018-11-27) | 0.54 |
| A recent shooting throws the entire family into turmoil. |||||||
| 4 | 4 | "Answered Questions" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | December 4, 2018 (2018-12-04) | 0.58 |
| 7 months have passed since the shooting, but the duncans are still dealing with the ramifications. Nevada begins to ask some serious questions on his mom's death. Orlando seeks help from Harris to him find Rudy. Vinny Dash, Sal's only living son is on the loose and is dangerous. |||||||
| 5 | 5 | "The Heat Is On" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | January 8, 2019 (2019-01-08) | 0.51 |
| While the Duncans welcome a new addition into their family, Orlando reveals a new drug invention to LC. A tragic discovery is made during the hunt for a missing family member. |||||||
| 6 | 6 | "A Death in the Family" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | January 15, 2019 (2019-01-15) | 0.44 |
| As the Duncans gather to say goodbye to one of their own, Junior and Paris team up to catch a killer. Chippy shares her concerns about HEAT. |||||||
| 7 | 7 | "Home Coming" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | January 22, 2019 (2019-01-22) | 0.44 |
| Orlando's fate puts the entire family on edge. Consuela concocts a plan of revenge against the duncans. LC offers to help a reluctant someone. |||||||
| 8 | 8 | "Mexican Stand Off" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | January 29, 2019 (2019-01-29) | 0.51 |
| While Sasha's return is celebrated, Paris begin to grow jealous of her cousin's warm welcome. Consuela strikes back at the family. |||||||

### Season 2 (2020)

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | BET air date | U.S. linear viewers (millions) |
| Part 1 ||||||||
| 9 | 1 | "Back To Life" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | July 2, 2020 (2020-07-02) | May 18, 2021 | 0.31 |
| 10 | 2 | "Put a Ring on It" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | July 9, 2020 (2020-07-09) | May 18, 2021 | 0.32 |
| 11 | 3 | "Introducing Brother X" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | July 16, 2020 (2020-07-16) | May 25, 2021 | 0.56 |
| 12 | 4 | "Heat It Up!" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | July 23, 2020 (2020-07-23) | June 1, 2021 | 0.41 |
| 13 | 5 | "You Can Run But You Can't Hide" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | July 30, 2020 (2020-07-30) | June 8, 2021 | N/A |
| 14 | 6 | "Casualties of War" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | August 6, 2020 (2020-08-06) | June 15, 2021 | 0.43 |
| Part 2 ||||||||
| 15 | 7 | "Take No Prisoners" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | December 31, 2020 (2020-12-31) | April 5, 2022 | 0.37 |
| 16 | 8 | "The Nuclear Option" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | December 31, 2020 (2020-12-31) | April 12, 2022 | 0.35 |
| 17 | 9 | "Mothers and Their Sons" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | December 31, 2020 (2020-12-31) | April 19, 2022 | 0.38 |
| 18 | 10 | "I Don't Want to Lose My Queen" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | December 31, 2020 (2020-12-31) | April 26, 2022 | 0.35 |
| 19 | 11 | "Deploy the Drones" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | December 31, 2020 (2020-12-31) | May 3, 2022 | 0.39 |
| 20 | 12 | "The Hunt for Brother X" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | December 31, 2020 (2020-12-31) | May 10, 2022 | 0.35 |

### Season 3 (2021)

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | BET air date | U.S. linear viewers (millions) |
| 21 | 1 | "The Heat Is On" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | October 14, 2021 (2021-10-14) | May 17, 2022 | 0.48 |
| 22 | 2 | "Who Is Curtis Duncan" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | October 14, 2021 (2021-10-14) | May 24, 2022 | 0.36 |
| 23 | 3 | "The Hunt For Consuela" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | October 14, 2021 (2021-10-14) | May 31, 2022 | 0.39 |
| 24 | 4 | "What's Better Than Heat? Fire!" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | October 14, 2021 (2021-10-14) | June 7, 2022 | 0.44 |
| 25 | 5 | "Time To Start Washing The Money" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | October 14, 2021 (2021-10-14) | June 14, 2022 | 0.45 |
| 26 | 6 | "Blood On Your Hands" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | October 14, 2021 (2021-10-14) | June 21, 2022 | 0.45 |
| 27 | 7 | "Brotherly Love" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | October 14, 2021 (2021-10-14) | June 28, 2022 | 0.47 |
| 28 | 8 | "Money Has No Friends" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | October 14, 2021 (2021-10-14) | July 5, 2022 | 0.48 |
| 29 | 9 | "Brother X Strikes Again" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | October 14, 2021 (2021-10-14) | July 12, 2022 | 0.41 |
| 30 | 10 | "Bye, Bye, Harris" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | October 14, 2021 (2021-10-14) | July 19, 2022 | 0.48 |
| 31 | 11 | "Destroying The Family Business" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | October 14, 2021 (2021-10-14) | July 26, 2022 | 0.46 |
| 32 | 12 | "Flipping The Script" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | October 14, 2021 (2021-10-14) | August 2, 2022 | 0.43 |

### Season 4 (2022)

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | BET air date | U.S. linear viewers (millions) |
| 33 | 1 | "Crazy As Duncans" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | September 1, 2022 (2022-09-01) | March 28, 2023 | 0.36 |
| 34 | 2 | "Everybody Wants Harris" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | September 1, 2022 (2022-09-01) | April 4, 2023 | 0.36 |
| 35 | 3 | "Family Visit" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | September 8, 2022 (2022-09-08) | April 11, 2023 | 0.35 |
| 36 | 4 | "Trigger Happy!" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | September 15, 2022 (2022-09-15) | April 18, 2023 | 0.33 |
| 37 | 5 | "Dead Silence" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | September 22, 2022 (2022-09-22) | April 25, 2023 | 0.36 |
| 38 | 6 | "Home Coming" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | September 29, 2022 (2022-09-29) | May 2, 2023 | 0.38 |
| 39 | 7 | "Vengeance Is Mine" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | October 6, 2022 (2022-10-06) | May 9, 2023 | 0.29 |
| 40 | 8 | "The Return" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | October 13, 2022 (2022-10-13) | May 16, 2023 | 0.30 |
| 41 | 9 | "Seeing Things" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | October 20, 2022 (2022-10-20) | May 23, 2023 | 0.32 |
| 42 | 10 | "Rise or Fall" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | October 27, 2022 (2022-10-27) | May 30, 2023 | 0.37 |

### Season 5 (2024)

| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date | BET air date | U.S. linear viewers (millions) |
| 43 | 1 | "The Aftermath" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | July 4, 2024 (2024-07-04) | January 7, 2025 | N/A |
| 44 | 2 | "Desperate Times, Desperate Measures" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | July 4, 2024 (2024-07-04) | January 14, 2025 | N/A |
| 45 | 3 | "Special Delivery" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | July 11, 2024 (2024-07-11) | January 21, 2025 | N/A |
| 46 | 4 | "Reminisce" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | July 18, 2024 (2024-07-18) | January 28, 2025 | N/A |
| 47 | 5 | "Choices and Consequences" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | July 25, 2024 (2024-07-25) | February 4, 2025 | N/A |
| 48 | 6 | "Crossing Boundaries" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | August 1, 2024 (2024-08-01) | February 11, 2025 | N/A |
| 49 | 7 | "In Plain Sight" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | August 8, 2024 (2024-08-08) | February 18, 2025 | N/A |
| 50 | 8 | "Chickens Come Home To Roost" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | August 15, 2024 (2024-08-15) | February 25, 2025 | N/A |
| 51 | 9 | "One Step Closer" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | August 22, 2024 (2024-08-22) | March 4, 2025 | N/A |
| 52 | 10 | "All Is Fair In Love and War" | Trey Haley | Carl Weber | August 29, 2024 (2024-08-29) | March 11, 2025 | N/A |

### Season 6 (2025)
## Production

On December 19, 2019, the series was renewed for a 12-episode second season to air on the network's streaming service BET+. On December 4, 2020, the series was renewed for a third season On January 28, 2022, the series was renewed for a fourth season. In October 2023, creator Carl Weber stated that a fifth season was being worked on, until it was halted due to the Hollywood labor strikes.

## Release

The series premiered on November 13, 2018. The second season premiered on July 2, 2020. The third season premiered on October 14, 2021. The fourth season was originally set to premiere on July 28, 2022; but was later postponed to September 1, 2022. The fifth season premiered on July 4, 2024.

## Spin-off

On January 17, 2024 it was reported that BET+ has ordered an eight-episode New Orleans-set spinoff starring Brandon T. Jackson. On March 6, 2024 Lela Rochon was cast as lead along with Ben Stephens, Pooch Hall, Quincy Brown, David Banner, Yvette Nicole Brown, Orlando Jones, Nicole Galicia, Erica Hubbard, Sarah Carter, Stan Shaw, Bern Nadette Stanis, Nayirah Teshali, Sacaiah Shaw, Jenson Atwood, AzMarie Livingston, Deric Augustine, Kayla Nicole and Nicholas Turturro round out the cast.
The series premiered on January 23, 2025.