Grown-ish (stylized as grown·ish) is an American teen comedy drama television series and a spin-off of the ABC series Black-ish. The single-camera comedy follows the Johnson family's children as they go to college and begin their journeys to adulthood, only to quickly discover that not everything goes their way once they leave the nest. The first four seasons follow eldest daughter Zoey (Yara Shahidi), with Deon Cole, Trevor Jackson, Francia Raisa, Emily Arlook, Jordan Buhat, Chloe Bailey, Halle Bailey, Luka Sabbat and Chris Parnell also starring, while the fifth season onward follows eldest son and Zoey's younger brother Andre Junior (Marcus Scribner) as he attends college after Zoey's graduation, with Diggy Simmons and Daniella Perkins also starring.
Created by Black-ishs Kenya Barris and Larry Wilmore, the series is produced by Khalabo Ink Society, Cinema Gypsy Productions and Principato-Young Entertainment, with Anthony Anderson, Brian Dobbins, and Helen Sugland acting as executive producers. Freeform officially ordered 13 episodes of the spin-off in May 2017, and it premiered on January 3, 2018. In January 2018, Freeform renewed the series for a second season of 21 episodes which premiered on January 2, 2019. In February 2019, Freeform renewed the series for a third season, which premiered on January 16, 2020. In January 2020, the series was renewed for a fourth season, while the second half of the third season premiered on January 21, 2021. The fourth season premiered on July 8, 2021. The second half of the fourth season premiered on January 27, 2022, with the majority of the original cast departing at the end of the season. In March 2022, the series was renewed for a forthcoming fifth season and Marcus Scribner and Daniella Perkins upped to series regulars, the former following the series finale of Black-ish, replacing Shahidi as lead character and narrator of the series. The first half of the fifth season premiered on July 20, 2022. In January 2023, the series was renewed for a sixth season. In March 2023, it was announced that the sixth season would be its final season. The sixth and final season premiered on June 28, 2023 and was split into two parts, with the second arriving March 27, 2024.
Plot The first four seasons follow the Johnson family's firstborn daughter Zoey leaving the family to go to college. As she attends the fictional California University of Liberal Arts (Cal U for short) while befriending some people, she discovers that her journey to adulthood and her departure from the family does not go the way she hoped. The fifth season onward follows the Johnson family's oldest son, Zoey's younger brother and former college dropout Junior as he attends Cal U following Zoey's graduation.
Cast and characters
Actor Character Zoey Johnson years Andre Jr. Johnson years Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4 Season 5 Season 6 Yara Shahidi Zoey Johnson colspan="5" colspan="1" Deon Cole Professor/Dean Charlie Telphy colspan="2" colspan="2" colspan="2" Trevor Jackson Aaron Jackson colspan="6" Francia Raisa Analisa "Ana" Torres colspan="4" colspan="2" Emily Arlook Nomi Segal colspan="4" colspan="2" Jordan Buhat Vivek Shah colspan="4" colspan="2" Chris Parnell Dean Burt Parker colspan="5" Chloe Bailey Jazlyn "Jazz" Forster colspan="4" Halle Bailey Skyler "Sky" Forster colspan="3" colspan="2" Luka Sabbat Luca Hall colspan="4" Diggy Simmons Douglas "Doug" Frederick Edwards colspan="2" colspan="4" Marcus Scribner Andre "Junior" Johnson colspan="2" colspan="2" Daniella Perkins Kiela Hall colspan="3" colspan="2" Justine Skye Annika Longstreet colspan="4" colspan="1" Tara Raani Zaara Ali colspan="4" colspan="1"
Main Yara Shahidi as Zoey Johnson (seasons 1–5; recurring season 6), the narrator and main protagonist of the series who is shown in the break of a scene. She meets her six core friends in Professor Telphy's class. She originally intended to become a fashion designer but has since created her own major, "The Sociology of Fashion", and has turned her career goals toward fashion styling. She is a freshman in season 1, a sophomore in season 2, a junior in season 3, and a senior in season 4. She dated Luca until their breakup at the end of season 2. She began dating Aaron in the season 3 finale. As of the season 3 break, she dropped out of Cal U. to further her career as a designer after having accepted an opportunity with Luca's company, Anti Muse. However, she resigns from her job and returns to Cal U. to finish her junior year. In season 4, she takes internships with big-name companies as a way to advance her career, but she has troubles with Aaron. She is graduated from college at the end of season 4. In season 5, she is a successful designer living in New York, while bouncing back to Los Angeles to continue her now long-distance relationship with Aaron. Deon Cole as Professor Charlie Telphy (seasons 1–2; recurring seasons 3–4), a close friend of Zoey's family and an adjunct professor teaching evening classes at Cal U., including one called "Digital Marketing Strategies", which is all about drones. He becomes dean of students in season 2. Trevor Jackson as Aaron Jackson, a student at Cal U. He is "woke," as evidenced by his many buttons referencing various African American-centered causes and issues. In season 2, he takes a job as an RA for Hawkins Hall. He is a sophomore in season 1, a junior in season 2, and a senior in season 3. In the season 3 finale, he graduates. In season 4, he teaches night classes at Cal U. Francia Raisa as Analisa "Ana" Patricia Torres (seasons 1–4; guest seasons 5 and 6), a student at Cal U. She was born to Cuban immigrants, is a devout Catholic, and a Republican. She was Zoey's roommate in season 1. In season 2, she and Zoey move into an apartment with Nomi, and she develops a romantic interest in Aaron. Ana is a freshman in season 1, a sophomore in season 2, a junior in season 3, and a senior in season 4. In season 2, episode 19, her major is revealed as Political Science. Others observe her need to get the answers she wants, even where doing so necessitates spying and snooping. Emily Arlook as Nomi Segal (seasons 1–4; guest seasons 5 and 6), is Jewish American. She is bisexual, but she is not out to her family until season 2. She is a freshman in season 1, a sophomore in season 2, a junior in season 3, and a senior in season 4. At the start of the third season, she is revealed to be pregnant from a one-night stand. During the first half of season 3, she drops out of Cal U., returning to her parents' home while dealing with her pregnancy. In the second half of season 3, she returns to campus with her newborn daughter Luna. At the end of season 4, she moves to Connecticut to attend Yale Law School. Jordan Buhat as Vivek Shah (seasons 1–4; guest seasons 5 and 6), a first-generation Gujarati Indian American. His parents are devout Hindus. He deals drugs to support his clothing choices. He is an engineering major and has shown great intelligence throughout the series. He originally lived in the rich-kid Winthrop house but was kicked out in season 2 and has been crashing at Hawkins Hall with Aaron and Doug. He is a freshman in season 1, a sophomore in season 2, and a junior in season 3. He is best known for having a style that is highly influenced by black culture. In season 3, after a substantial raise in his drug-dealing income, he rents a house off campus for him and the girls to live for the remainder of their time in college. He also starts dating a girl named Heidi until the season finale. In season 4, Vivek gets expelled from Cal U, following his arrest last season, which leads to his father disowning him. They are on the verge of reconciling when his father dies of a heart ailment. At the end of the season, he re-enrolls in a new college to complete his engineering degree, and moves to Miami with Ana, who he is now dating. Chris Parnell as Dean Burt Parker (season 1), the dean of students. He is also Nomi's uncle. He leaves the university for unknown reasons before the events of season 2. Chloe Bailey as Jazlyn "Jazz" Forster (seasons 1–4; guest season 5), Sky's twin sister and a track athlete at Cal U. From South Los Angeles, she is intensely smart, sassy, but focused on the bigger picture. Her focus is lost after getting into a relationship with Doug, causing a rift to form between her and her sister. She is a freshman in season 1, a sophomore in season 2, a junior in season 3, and a senior in season 4. Her major is in Economics, as revealed in season 2. Halle Bailey as Skylar "Sky" Forster (seasons 1–3; recurring season 4), Jazz's twin sister and a track athlete at Cal U. From South Los Angeles, she is intensely smart, sassy, but focused on the bigger picture. She remains focused on her goals even while also partying and meeting guys, something her sister has trouble with which causes a rift between them. She is a freshman in season 1, a sophomore in season 2, and a junior in Season 3. Her major is in Early Childhood Education, as revealed in season 2. She leaves for Tokyo at the end of season 3 after gaining a spot on the Olympic Team. Luka Sabbat as Luca Hall (seasons 1–4; guest season 6), a fashion design major at Cal U., and a stoner. He is very independent and a trendsetter, as seen in his outlandish fashion choices and his relaxed attitude toward life. He works alongside Zoey at Teen Vogue, an internship he got by chance. Zoey and Luca become a couple starting season 2, but break up in the season 2 finale. He is a freshman in season 1, a sophomore in season 2, a junior in season 3, and a senior in season 4.Romero, Ariana (February 14, 2018). "Grown-ish Season 1, Episode 8 Recap: 'Erase Your Social'". Refinery29. Diggy Simmons as Douglas Frederick "Doug" Edwards (seasons 3–6; recurring seasons 1–2), Jazlyn's ex-boyfriend. He is best friends with Aaron and Vivek.Steirnberg, Bonnie (March 25, 2019). "Diggy Simmons Returning to 'grown-ish' as a Series Regular & Performing at 2019 Freeform Summit: Exclusive". Billboard. Marcus Scribner as Andre "Junior" Johnson, Jr. (seasons 5–6; recurring seasons 2–3; guest season 4), Zoey's younger brother from Black-ish. He becomes Sky's romantic interest in season 2. Following Zoey's graduation at the end of season 4 and the series finale of black-ish, Junior replaces Zoey as the lead character and narrator of grown-ish, attending Cal U. in the fifth season. He is a freshman in season 5, then a sophomore in season 6. Daniella Perkins as Kiela Hall (seasons 5–6; recurring season 4), Luca's younger sister, and Doug's fling and love interest who just started at Cal U. In Season 5, she continues to go to Cal U. as a sophomore, alongside Junior. In season 6, she is a junior, and is now living in a sober building with Anika, Zaara and Lauren. Justine Skye as Annika Longstreet (season 6; recurring season 5), She is a freshman in season 5. She is a sophisticated, intelligent go-getter who hardly takes no for an answer and is determined to make it to the top. She also becomes Junior's main love interest. Tara Raani as Zaara Ali (season 6; recurring season 5), She is a freshman in season 5. She is a first-generation college student who is extremely focused and is on track to become a doctor. She is Junior's roommate and friend. She is a sophomore in season 6, and was in a new relationship with Drea.
Recurring Da'Vinchi as Cash Mooney (seasons 1–2), Zoey's first college boyfriend and star of the school's basketball team. Also, he's her first love and the first person she had sex with. Katherine Moennig as Professor Paige Hewson (season 2),Petski, Denise (January 11, 2019). "'Grown-ish': *Katherine Moennig To Appear On Season 2 Of Freeform Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 3, 2019. the professor of Gender Studies class that Zoey and her friends are in who was also Nomi's love interest.