The next generation of the Evans family is back in animated form in the new trailer for Netflix’sGood Times, which will premiere on the streamer April 12. The upcoming series is a sequel to the groundbreaking 1970s sitcom of the same name, and is one of the final works by legendary TV producerNorman Lear, who died last year at 101.
The new series will starJ.B. SmooveandYvette Nicole Brownas Reggie and Beverly Evans, residents of one of the last housing projects in Chicago. They struggle to keep food on the table while raising a family of three; artist Junior (Jay Pharoah), socially-conscious Grey (Marsai Martin), and infant Dalvin (Gerald “Slink” Johnson). It takes a more surreal view on life in the projects than its predecessor, commensurate with producerSeth MacFarlane’s comedic sensibilities, most notably in the form of Dalvin, a talking, drug-dealing baby. The series will also feature the voices ofRashida “Sheedz” OlayiwolaandWanda Sykes.
What is the Original ‘Good Times’?
Premiering in 1974,Good Timeswas a spinoff ofMaude, which was itself a spinoff ofAll in the Family. Thefirst-ever sitcom centered around a two-parent Black family, it focused on Florida and James Evans (John AmosandEsther Rolle), who had been introduced onMaudeas the title character’s housekeeper and her firefighter husband.Good Timesmoved them to a housing project in Chicago (the infamous Cabrini-Green building,later depicted inCandyman) where they worked to overcome their impoverished circumstances while raising their three children, Michael (Ralph Carter), Thelma (Bernnadette Stanis), and J.J. (Jimmie Walker). Walker became the breakout star of the show, thanks to his immortal catchphrase “Dy-no-mite!” Amos and Rolle felt that the focus on Walker’s character overshadowed the social issues the show was created to explore, and both left the series before its fifth season. With the Walker’s family friend Willona Woods (Ja’Net DuBois) now heading the ensemble, the series continued for another season before Rolle was convinced to return; however, the series was canceled with its sixth season in 1979.
Good Timeswas created by showrunnerRanada Shepard, ofBorn-Again VirginandConnecting…It is executive produced by Lear,Brent Millerof Act III Productions, Golden State Warriors starSteph Curry,Erick Peyton&Jeron Smithof Unanimous Media, and MacFarlane &Erica Hugginsof Fuzzy Door Productions.
Good Times will premiere on Netflix on June 06, 2025. Stay tuned to Collider for future updates, and watch the new trailer above.
