The Ultimate Cast & Character Guide to The Family Business

Article Overview

The BET series "The Family Business" is based on Carl Weber's crime drama book series and focuses on the Duncan family, who owns an exotic car dealership in New York.

The show has streamed four seasons and 34 episodes on Netflix. The Duncan family continues to be the main focus, with Ernie Hudson as L.C. Duncan and Valerie Pettiford as his wife, Charlotte. Additional cast members include Darrin Dewitt Henson, Javicia Leslie, Sean Ringgold, Tami Roman, and others.

The content fragment revolves around the Duncans, a well-known family who owns and operates Duncan Motors, an exotic car dealership located in New York. Inspired by Carl Weber's crime drama book series of the same name, The Family Business is a gripping television series available for streaming on Netflix since October 2023. Initially introduced as an eight-episode limited series in November 2018, the show received immense acclaim, leading to its renewal for a second season on the streaming service BET+. Currently, the series has aired four seasons, comprising a total of 34 episodes, all accessible for streaming on Netflix. Throughout the show's progression, the cast has undergone changes, yet the Duncan family remains at the core of the narrative, aptly justifying the series' title. From L.C. Duncan to Paris Duncan, each family member and even a few key adversaries or allies are prominently highlighted in this captivating BET television production.

Ernie Hudson As L.C. Duncan

Ernie Hudson portrays L.C. Duncan, the head of the Duncan family, in The Family Business. Initially introduced as the CEO of a car dealership during the first season, L.C. constantly works to rectify his children's missteps in order to safeguard the family's reputation. With numerous connections and a renowned status as a businessman, L.C. eventually decides to retire and pass on the reins of Duncan Motors to his descendants. Apart from his notable roles as Winston Zeddemore in the Ghostbusters film series and Warden Leo Glynn in Oz, Ernie Hudson has also graced the screen in Leviathan, Airheads, The Basketball Diaries, Congo, Miss Congeniality, and The Ron Clark Story.

Valerie Pettiford As Charlotte Duncan

Valerie Pettiford plays the role of Charlotte Duncan, the matriarch of the Duncan family in The Family Business. She is the wife of L.C. and provides unwavering support to her husband and children throughout the BET series. Upon her introduction, viewers witness Charlotte admonishing her daughter, Paris, following her arrest. However, it is evident that her reprimand is driven by love. Valerie Pettiford is a recognized face in the television industry, having appeared in popular shows such as One Life to Live, Half & Half, Tyler Perry's House of Payne, The Blacklist, and A Discovery of Witches.

Darrin Dewitt Henson As Orlando Duncan

Javicia Leslie As Paris Duncan

Darrin Dewitt Henson stars as Orlando Duncan in The Family Business. Taking over as CEO of Duncan Motors after his father, Orlando showcases the same charismatic qualities that made L.C. a successful businessman. Known for his playboy tendencies and workaholic nature, Orlando is fiercely dedicated to protecting his loved ones, just like the rest of the Duncans. In addition to his role in the BET television series, Henson can also be seen in other notable projects such as Soul Food, Lincoln Heights, Stomp the Yard, and The Express: The Ernie Davis Story. Beyond his acting career, Henson is also an accomplished dancer and choreographer.

The pilot episode of The Family Business introduces viewers to Paris Duncan, the first member of the Duncan family. Javicia Leslie portrays Paris, the youngest daughter of L.C. and Charlotte. She is depicted as a party-loving individual with a penchant for trouble. Notably, Leslie gained recognition for her role as Ryan Wilder in Batwoman, where she assumed the lead role following Ruby Rose's departure. In the show's second season, her character took on the identity of Batwoman. Leslie has also appeared in various other productions, including God Friended Me, Always a Bridesmaid, Something From Tiffany's, and The Flash.

Sean Ringgold As Junior Duncan

Sean Ringgold brings to life the character of Junior Duncan in The Family Business on BET. Despite his seemingly innocent name, Junior is actually the oldest among the Duncan siblings. Possessing a large and formidable physique, he takes on the role of the family's security specialist, often getting his hands dirty while managing their affairs (and we're not talking about selling cars here). In addition to his role in this show, Ringgold has also showcased his talent in other notable productions including One Life to Live, Notorious, American Gangster, Gossip Girl, Orange Is the New Black, Billions, and Luke Cage.

Tami Roman As London Duncan-Grant

In The Family Business, Tami Roman takes on the role of London Duncan-Grant, the eldest daughter of L.C. and Charlotte. London is married to Harris Grant and is the mother of Mariah and Maria in the BET television series. However, she harbors numerous secrets of her own. Fans may remember Roman from her time as a main cast member on The Real World: Los Angeles season 2 back in 1993 or from her appearance on Basketball Wives in the 2010s.

Miguel A. Núñez Jr. As Harris Grant

Miguel A. Núñez Jr. takes on the role of Harris Grant, London's husband, in The Family Business. Harris serves as the family's lawyer and fixer under the employment of London's father, L.C. However, his introduction in the first episode unveils his true character, which is far from commendable. In an early scene with London, Harris resorts to violence by striking her when she attempts to take his phone. Moreover, Harris expresses immense distress when L.C. designates Orlando as his successor. Apart from his involvement in the BET series, Núñez Jr. has also made appearances in The Return of the Living Dead, Life, Juwanna Mann, and Tour of Duty.

Arrington Foster As Rio Duncan

Arrington Foster portrays Rio Duncan, the twin brother of Paris in The Family Business. While Paris technically holds the title of the older sibling, the bond between these two is unbreakable in the BET television show. As a gay man, Rio often finds himself lacking the same level of respect from his father as his brothers receive. However, his own success shines through as he effectively manages a thriving club and lounge in the city. Fans may recognize Foster from his notable performances in Co-Ed, Southern Fried Homicide, and The Return of the Psycho Sisters.

Dylan Weber As Nevada Duncan

Dylan Weber takes on the role of Nevada Duncan, the grandson of L.C. and Charlotte, in The Family Business. As a teenager, Nevada is just beginning to grasp the intricacies of the business at the start of the series. With his father, Vegas Duncan, missing, L.C. and Charlotte step in to care for him. Weber, a budding actor, has only worked on two other projects aside from the BET series - Circuit Breaker and Throwback Holiday.

Clifton Powell As Uncle Lou Duncan

Lou Duncan, portrayed by Clifton Powell, is L.C.'s brother and the uncle of Junior, Orlando, Paris, London, Rio, and Vegas in The Family Business. While working as L.C.'s partner at the dealership, Lou's primary focus lies in the criminal aspect of the enterprise rather than selling cars. Powell is renowned for his portrayal of Jeff Brown in Ray, and has also appeared in Menace II Society, Rush Hour, Norbit, Street Kings, among numerous other films.

The Family Business Supporting Cast & Characters

Armand Assante portrays the character of Sal Dash in The Family Business. In addition to the Duncan family, the series also introduces other significant characters, such as Sal Dash. He is a mafia crime boss and a close associate of L.C. Duncan, making him particularly interested in the change of leadership at Duncan Motors in the first season. Armand Assante has an impressive filmography, having appeared in notable productions like Gotti, The Odyssey, When Nietzsche Wept, and I, the Jury.

Emilio Rivera takes on the role of Alejandro Zuniga in The Family Business. Unlike Sal, Alejandro Zuniga is not a friend but rather a rival to the Duncan family. He leads the Zuniga Cartel in Los Angeles and attempts to repair his relationship with the Duncans throughout the series. Emilio Rivera is recognized by fans for his portrayal of Marcus Álvarez in Sons of Anarchy and its spinoff, Mayans M.C. The talented actor has also showcased his abilities in Weeds, Hand of God, Z Nation, Saints & Sinners, and On My Block.

KJ Smith plays the role of Sasha Duncan, one of the Duncans' cousins in The Family Business. Sasha shares many similarities with Paris, which often leads to conflicts between them. Alongside the BET series, Smith has also appeared in other shows such as Family Time, Queen Sugar, Dynasty, Sistas, and Power Book III: Raising Kanan.

In The Family Business, Michael Jai White takes on the character of Vegas Duncan, who is initially absent at the start of the series. White is recognized for his roles in Why Did I Get Married?, Mortal Kombat: Legacy, Tyson, Black Dynamite, and Arrow.

Editor's P/S

As a fan of "The Family Business," I am thrilled to see the return of the Duncan family for a fourth season. The show has consistently delivered an engaging blend of drama, crime, and family dynamics, and I am eager to see how the story unfolds in the upcoming episodes.

One of the strengths of the show is its talented cast. Ernie Hudson and Valerie Pettiford bring depth and authenticity to their roles as LC and Charlotte Duncan, the patriarch and matriarch of the family. Their performances ground the show and make the characters feel like real people. The supporting cast, including Darrin Dewitt Henson, Javicia Leslie, and Sean Ringgold, also deliver strong performances and bring their unique personalities to the screen.