''The Last O.G.'' is an American

comedy Comedy is a genre of fiction that consists of discourses or works intended to be humorous or amusing by inducing laughter, especially in theatre, film, stand-up comedy, television, radio, books, or any other entertainment medium. The term o ...

television series created by

Jordan Peele Jordan Haworth Peele (born February 21, 1979) is an American actor, comedian, and filmmaker. He is best known for his film and television work in the comedy and horror genres. Peele's breakout role came in 2003, when he was hired as a cast membe ...

and John Carcieri that premiered on March 31, 2018 on TBS. The series follows a convict (O.G., or original gangster) released after serving fifteen years who returns to

Brooklyn Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

to find his old neighborhood has changed, and his ex-girlfriend is raising their children with another man. It stars

Tracy Morgan Tracy Jamal Morgan (born November 10, 1968) is an American stand-up comedian and actor best known for his television work as a cast member on ''Saturday Night Live'' (1996–2003) and for his role as Tracy Jordan in the sitcom ''30 Rock'' (2006 ...

Tiffany Haddish Tiffany Sara Cornilia Haddish (born December 3, 1979) is an American stand-up comedian and actress. After guest-starring on several television series and lead role on a cable drama, Haddish gained prominence for her role as Nekeisha Williams on ...

Allen Maldonado Allen Maldonado (born May 20, 1983) is an American actor and filmmaker best known for his roles as Curtis in ''Black-ish'' and Bobby in ''The Last O.G.'' He is also an entrepreneur and runs his own clothing line and an app called ''Everybody Digit ...

Ryan Gaul Ryan Gaul is an American actor, comedian and writer. He appeared on shows such as Showtime's ''House of Lies'', ''Super Fun Night'', ''Hart of Dixie'', ''Hot in Cleveland'', ''2 Broke Girls'', ''It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'', '' Superstore'' ...

, Taylor Christian Mosby, Dante Hoagland, and

Cedric the Entertainer Cedric Antonio Kyles (born April 24, 1964), better known by his stage name Cedric the Entertainer, is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He hosted BET's ''ComicView'' during the 1993–1994 season and ''Def Comedy Jam'' in 1995. He is bes ...

. In October 2020, the series was renewed for a fourth season which premiered on October 26, 2021 and concluded on December 21, 2021. In April 2022, it was revealed that the fourth season was the final season, the final episode having aired on December 21, 2021.

Premise

Tray is an ex-con who is released from prison for good behavior after serving fifteen years. He returns to his old Brooklyn neighborhood to find that it has become

gentrified Gentrification is the process of changing the character of a neighborhood through the influx of more affluent residents and businesses. It is a common and controversial topic in urban politics and planning. Gentrification often increases the ec ...

. His ex-girlfriend, Shannon (also known by nickname Shay-Shay), is now married to another man named Josh and is raising his twin children Amira and Shahzad. Tray decides to become a better man and a father with the help of the owner of a

halfway house A halfway house is an institute for people with criminal backgrounds or substance use disorder problems to learn (or relearn) the necessary skills to re-integrate into society and better support and care for themselves. As well as serving as a ...

, Mullins, and his cousin Bobby.

Cast and characters

Main

as Tray Leviticus Barker *

as Shannon "Shay-Shay" Birkeland (seasons 1–3) *

as Robert "Bobby" Barker (seasons 1–3) ** Maldonado also plays Clyde Barker, Bobby's deceased older brother *

as Josh Birkeland * Taylor Christian Mosby as Amira Birkeland * Dante Hoagland as Shahzad Birkeland *

as Miniard Mullins (main season 1, recurring season 2–3) *

Anna Maria Horsford Anna Maria Horsford is an American actress, known for her performances in television comedies. Horsford is best known for her roles as Thelma Frye on the NBC sitcom ''Amen'' (1986–91), and as Dee Baxter on the WB sitcom ''The Wayans Bros.'' (1 ...

as Roberta (recurring seasons 1–3, main season 4) *

Da'Vine Joy Randolph Da'Vine Joy Randolph (born May 21, 1986) is an American actress and singer. She first gained recognition as Oda Mae Brown in the Broadway production of '' Ghost: The Musical'' (2012); she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a ...

as Veesy (season 4)

Recurring

* Joel Marsh Garland as Erwin "Big Country" *

J. B. Smoove Jerry Angelo Brooks (born December 16, 1965), commonly known by his stage name J. B. Smoove, is an American actor, comedian and writer. After beginning his career in 1995 on ''Def Comedy Jam'', he was a writer and performer on NBC's ''Saturday Ni ...

as Carl * Gino Vento as Gustavo * Derek Gaines as Jason "Jaybird" Watkins * Daniel J. Watts as Felony * Dimitri Joseph Moise as Mostel Defferies *

Malik Yoba Abdul-Malik Kashie Yoba (born September 17, 1967) is an American actor. He is known for his starring role as NYPD Detective J. C. Williams on the Fox police drama ''New York Undercover'' and as Yul Brenner in the film '' Cool Runnings''. ...

as Wavy *

Edi Patterson Edi Christine Patterson is an American actress and writer. She has primarily acted in comedies. She is best known for portraying Fran in the film '' Knives Out'' (2019), Veronica in the series '' Partners'' (2014), Jen Abbott in the series '' Vi ...

as Elizabeth * Miles G. Jackson as Benjamin * Natalie Carter as Ruth * Byrne Davis, Jr. as Billy C. *

Randy Gambill Randy Gambill is an American film and television actor. Career Gambill made his acting début as The Gentle Warrior in the low-budget, comedy film '' Foot Fist Way'' (2006) directed by Jody Hill; he also served as the film's production designer. ...

as Jason *

Bresha Webb Bresha Webb (born Breshae Renee Webb; May 6, 1984) is an American actress. She starred as Imunique Jefferson in the TV One comedy series '' Love That Girl!'' from 2010 to 2014. She later has appeared in films ''Meet the Blacks'' (2016), ''Acrimo ...

as Faith *

Method Man Clifford Smith, Jr. (born March 2, 1971), better known by his stage name Method Man, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, and actor. He is known as a member of the East Coast hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He is also half of t ...

as Green-Eyes * Cassandra Freeman as Jasmine *

Lord Jamar Lorenzo Dechalus (born September 17, 1968), known professionally as Lord Jamar is an American rapper, DJ, record producer, actor and podcaster. He is a founding member of the hip hop group Brand Nubian, which was formed in 1989. In 1996, he disco ...

as Divine * Giovanni Figueroa as Javi

Guest

* Beverly Sade as Angel * Jon J. Masters as Mr. Washington * Judith Roberts as Mrs. Washington *

Chrissy Metz Christine Michelle Metz (born September 29, 1980) is an American actress and singer. She played Kate Pearson in the television series ''This Is Us'' (2016–2022), which earned her nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Aw ...

as Pooh Cat *

Thomas Jefferson Byrd Thomas Jefferson Byrd (June 25, 1950 – October 3, 2020) was an American character actor who played in several of director Spike Lee's films. He was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in the 2003 B ...

as Jimmy * Ebony Jo-Ann as Aunt Mercedes *

Luenell Luenell Campbell (born March 12, 1959), known mononymously as Luenell, is an American comedian and actress. Career In the early-1990s, Luenell appeared regularly on ''Soul Beat TV'' on the Oakland, California Oakland is the largest city an ...

as Aunt Elaine *

Katt Williams Micah "Katt" Williams (born September 2, 1971) is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He played Money Mike in ''Friday After Next'', had a stint on ''Wild 'n Out'', portrayed Bobby Shaw in ''My Wife and Kids'', provided the voice of A Pimp N ...

as Fred *

Mike Tyson Michael Gerard Tyson (born June 30, 1966) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1985 to 2005. Nicknamed "Iron Mike" and "Kid Dynamite" in his early career, and later known as "The Baddest Man on the Planet", Tyson is cons ...

as Triple O.G * Gary Dourdan as Bricks *

Teddy Atlas Theodore A. "Teddy" Atlas Jr. (born July 29, 1956) is an American boxing trainer and fight commentator. Early life The son of a doctor, Atlas grew up in a wealthy area of Staten Island, New York City, New York. His mother, Mary Riley Atlas, w ...

as himself *

Mark Breland Mark Anthony Breland (born May 11, 1963) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 1997, and held the WBA welterweight title twice between 1987 and 1990. He later became an actor with a wide range of movie and television ...

as himself

Episodes

Series overview

Season 1 (2018)

Season 2 (2019)

Season 3 (2020)

Season 4 (2021)

Production

Development

On January 16, 2016, it was announced that FX had given the production a pilot order. The episode was written by

and John Carcieri. Executive producers were set to include Peele, Carcieri,

, Eric Tannenbaum, and Joel Zadak. Production companies involved with the pilot included FX Productions. On October 17, 2016, it was announced that series was moving from FX to TBS and that it had been given a series order for a first season consisting of ten episodes. The previous month, FX decided not to proceed with the production and its producers began to shop it around. Various networks showed interest but it ultimately came down to TBS and

Comedy Central Comedy Central is an American basic cable channel owned by Paramount Global through its network division's MTV Entertainment Group unit, based in Manhattan. The channel is geared towards young adults aged 18–34 and carries comedy programming ...

. The existing pilot script was rewritten and Studio T became involved in the series' production replacing FX Productions. On May 17, 2017, it was announced that the series had been titled ''The Last O.G.'' On July 27, 2017, it was announced that series would premiere on October 24, 2017 with two episodes airing for a full hour. However, on January 11, 2018, it was announced that series would premiere on April 3, 2018. The premiere had been delayed after the departure of series co-creator and showrunner John Carcieri, who left after production on season one had ended. He was replaced by Saladin K. Patterson. On April 23, 2018, it was announced that the series had been renewed for a second season. On January 16, 2019, it was announced that the second season would premiere on April 2, 2019. On May 15, 2019, the series was renewed for a third season which premiered on April 7, 2020. On October 15, 2020, TBS renewed the series for a fourth season which premiered on October 26, 2021. In April 2022, it was revealed that the fourth season was the final season, the final episode having aired on December 21, 2021.

Casting

Alongside the initial pilot announcement, it was confirmed that

would star in the series. On March 15, 2017, it was announced that

had been cast as series regular. On April 13, 2017, it was reported that

was joining the main cast. In May 2017, it was announced that

, Taylor Mosby, and Dante Hoagland were joining the show as series regulars.

Release

Marketing

On February 16, 2018, TBS released the first trailer for the series. On January 16, 2019, a trailer for season two was released.

Premiere

On March 12, 2018, the series held its world premiere at the annual

South by Southwest Film Festival South by Southwest, abbreviated as SXSW and colloquially referred to as South By, is an annual conglomeration of parallel film, interactive media, and music festivals and conferences organized jointly that take place in mid-March in Austin, T ...

Austin, Texas Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of Texas, as well as the county seat, seat and largest city of Travis County, Texas, Travis County, with portions extending into Hays County, Texas, Hays and Williamson County, Texas, Williamson co ...

at the Paramount Theatre. Following the screening, journalist Ramin Setoodeh moderated a question-and-answer session with Jorma Taccone, Tracy Morgan, and Tiffany Haddish.

Reception

Critical response

The series was met with a positive response from critics upon its premiere. On review aggregation website

Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes is an American review-aggregation website for film and television. The company was launched in August 1998 by three undergraduate students at the University of California, Berkeley: Senh Duong, Patrick Y. Lee, and Stephen Wang ...

, the series holds an approval rating of 82% with an average rating of 7.47 out of 10 based on 34 reviews. The website's critical consensus reads, "Despite uneven writing, ''The Last O.G.'' succeeds on the strength of Tracy Morgan's inspired performance and Tiffany Haddish's comic instincts." On

Metacritic Metacritic is a website that review aggregator, aggregates reviews of films, TV shows, music albums, video games and formerly, books. For each product, the scores from each review are averaged (a weighted arithmetic mean, weighted average). M ...

it has a

weighted average The weighted arithmetic mean is similar to an ordinary arithmetic mean (the most common type of average), except that instead of each of the data points contributing equally to the final average, some data points contribute more than others. The ...

score of 65 out of 100 based on 18 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews."

Ratings

On April 3, 2018, the official series premiere drew 1.8 million total viewers, with 882K in the key 18-49 demo in Live + same day. This was the largest cable comedy premiere since 2016, the largest scripted cable comedy premiere since 2015, and the strongest TBS original debut ever. In addition, more than 6.9 million total viewers tuned into the show over a three-night, five-telecast launch on TBS and TNT following the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four.

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Last O.G., The 2010s American black sitcoms 2020s American black sitcoms 2018 American television series debuts 2021 American television series endings English-language television shows TBS (American TV channel) original programming Television series by Studio T Television shows set in Brooklyn Television series created by Jordan Peele Works about gentrification