Netflix's 'The Upshaws' starring Indianapolis-native Mike Epps will be back for Season 5

Cheryl V. Jackson, Indianapolis Star
·2 min read
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Fans of “The Upshaws” can rest easy. The Indianapolis-set Netflix series is coming back for Season 5.

That’s according to Mike Epps, who stars as patriarch Bennie Upshaw, married to his high school sweetheart, Regina (played by Kim Fields).

"'The Upshaws' is coming back,” Epps, an executive producer, told IndyStar.

Mike Epps stars as Bennie Upshaw in episode 104 of new Netflix sitcom "The Upshaws."
Mike Epps stars as Bennie Upshaw in episode 104 of new Netflix sitcom "The Upshaws."

When? That’s another matter.

The working-class family sitcom was on hiatus due to a since-resolved writers strike, then an actors strike followed, and Netflix hasn’t announced the fifth season, so there’s no release date.

Netflix's 'The Upshaws': Series staring Indy native Mike Epps features local apparel brand

Batches of shows are released as parts rather than traditional seasons on the streaming service. “The Upshaws” debuted in May 2021 with 10 episodes. Parts 2 and 3, each with eight episodes, were released in June 2022 and February 2023, respectively.

Part 4, with six episodes, was released on Aug. 17, 2023, and ended on a cliffhanger, with Bennie’s sister-in-law, played by Wanda Sykes, announcing she’d sold the garage where Bennie works.

With the eventual return will come the chance to see more of Indianapolis.

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In the last batch of episodes, scenes from the city were shown, and Epps’s character rocked a Nap or Nothing varsity jacket. The local streetwear brand has a shop at 525 Massachusetts Ave., selling apparel promoting Indianapolis.

Up until then, outside of Pacers, Colts and Indiana University apparel and Indianapolis Motor Speedway and sports team paraphernalia, the series had been light on references to non-fictional brands and events connected to Indiana.

But other Indianapolis brands might be featured in the series’ run, Epps said.

“We don't have a lot of representation; so that was a glimpse of what little we do,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll be able to do some more there.”

Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com: @cherylvjackson.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Mike Epps: 'The Upshaws' on Netflix will be back with Season 5