The cast of The Upshaws has transformed this sitcom into one of Netflix's most beloved comedy shows. Created by Regina Y. Hicks and Wanda Sykes, The Upshaws follows the story of a unique family. Mike Epps and Kim Fields portray Bennie and Regina Upshaw, a married couple with three children of their own and an additional child who is Bennie's son from a previous relationship. Alongside Sykes, who plays Regina's sister, the family navigates through personal and professional challenges while striving to make their family dynamic work.
The actors in The Upshaws bring a diverse range of experience from the movie and television industry. Some have a background in both sitcoms and comedy, while others are newcomers with limited prior experience. The first season of the series premiered in 2021, followed by a two-part second season in 2022 and 2023. Now, just six months after the conclusion of the second season, the cast is set to return with The Upshaws Part 4, bringing even more laughter to Netflix subscribers.
Mike Epps as Bernard "Bennie" Upshaw Sr.
In The Upshaws Part 4 cast, Mike Epps portrays Bernard "Bennie" Upshaw Sr., the patriarch of the Upshaw family. Bennie and Regina have been together since high school and eventually got married, although they did go through a period of being "on a break." Additionally, Bennie has another son with a different woman. Originally from Indiana, Epps began his career as a comedian and gained recognition as part of the Def Comedy Jam tour in 1995, which aired on HBO.
Epps made his acting debut in 1997 in the film Strays, directed by Vin Diesel. However, his breakthrough moment came in 1999 when he starred alongside Ice Cube in Next Friday. Following this success, Epps landed roles in How High as Baby Powder, reunited with Ice Cube in All About the Benjamins, and also took on the lead role in the 2016 comedy horror movie Meet the Blacks.
Kim Fields as Regina Upshaw
Kim Fields plays the character of Regina Upshaw in Part 4 of The Upshaws. Regina serves as the mother of the Upshaw family and is married to Bennie. In the previous season, Regina decided to leave her job, resulting in her experiencing depression, which will have a significant impact on the storyline in Part 4 of The Upshaws. Fields, an actor originally from New York City, began her career with television commercials and made appearances as a child on Good Times. However, her breakthrough role came in the 1980s sitcom The Facts of Life, where she portrayed the character Tootie, one of four teenagers attending an exclusive all-girls school. Fields was a part of the show from 1979 to 1988 and then took on the role of Regine in the Fox sitcom Living Single in 1993. Many credit Living Single for laying the foundation for the later success of the show Friends. Additionally, Fields was a member of the cast for season 8 of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Wanda Sykes as Lucretia Turner
Wanda Sykes has joined the cast of The Upshaws Part 4, taking on the role of Lucretia Turner, Regina's sister. Lucretia and Bennie have a strained relationship, adding tension to the story. Sykes is not only a key actor in The Upshaws, but she also serves as an executive producer for the show. Originally from Virginia, Sykes began her career as a standup comedian, gaining recognition through appearances on Def Comedy Jam in the 1990s.
Her breakthrough moment came when she became a writer for The Chris Rock Show. From there, she transitioned into acting, landing roles on acclaimed shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm and her own sitcom Wanda at Large. Sykes has also made memorable appearances on TV shows like The New Adventures of Old Christine, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Black-ish, and The Good Fight. In the film industry, she has been seen in movies such as Monster-in-Law, Evan Almighty, and License to Wed.
Diamond Lyons as Kelvin Upshaw
Khali Spraggins as Aaliyah Upshaw
Diamond Lyons portrays Kelvin Upshaw in The Upshaws Part 4 cast. Kelvin is the son of Bennie and Tasha Lewis, conceived during a period when Bennie and Regina were on a break. His relationship with his mother is tumultuous, and he made the decision to move in with his father during the previous season. Originally from Galveston, Texas, Lyons is a teenage actor with limited on-screen experience. Apart from his role in The Upshaws, he has also appeared in the TV series 5th Ward and the TV miniseries Colin in Black & White.Aaliyah Upshaw is the character played by Khali Spraggins in The Upshaws Part 4. As the eldest daughter of Bennie and Regina, Aaliyah shares the same age as Kelvin, despite having different mothers. Spraggins embarked on her acting journey at a young age and secured a scholarship from Second City Chicago. This opportunity paved the way for her to sign with an agent in 2016, leading to her involvement in various TV shows and movies. Her notable credits include appearances in Dad and I and Black Privilege TV movies, as well as a role in the popular TV show Empire.
Page Kennedy as Duck
Page Kennedy has been added to the cast of The Upshaws Part 4, portraying the character of Duck. Duck, who was recently released from prison and has since embraced a born-again Christian lifestyle, works at Bennie's garage. Hailing from Detroit, Kennedy is a multifaceted talent, excelling as both an actor and rapper. He pursued theater studies during his college years before relocating to Los Angeles, where he gained recognition for his roles in notable television shows such as Six Feet Under, NYPD Blue, CSI, and The Shield.
Kennedy experienced a breakthrough in his career with a recurring role as Caleb Applewhite on Desperate Housewives. Following his departure from the show, he ventured into the world of Weeds, taking on the character of U-Turn, a drug dealer. Additionally, he captivated audiences with his recurring appearance as Radon Randell in Blue Mountain State and as the protagonist, James Carter, in Rush Hour on CBS.
Jermelle Simon as Bernard Upshaw Jr.
Jermelle Simon, playing Bernard Upshaw Jr. in The Upshaws Part 4 cast, portrays Regina and Bennie's oldest son. Despite a difficult relationship with his dad, who was absent from his life until he turned 16, Bernard carries the role. Originally from Florence, South Carolina, Simon underwent training in acting before relocating to Hollywood and landing theater productions to launch his career.
In terms of television and film appearances, Simon's experience remains limited. He made guest appearances on shows like Animal Kingdom and Tattoo Nightmares and had a minor role in the TV movie Why We Pray. Prior to his breakthrough role in The Upshaws, he also participated in several short films.
Gabrielle Dennis as Tasha Lewis
Gabrielle Dennis's character in The Upshaws Part 4 is Tasha Lewis. Tasha is the mother of Kelvin, Bennie's son. Dennis, who began her career in theater, dance, and stand-up comedy, gained recognition in 2008 with her breakout role as Janay Bruce in The CW series The Game. She has also appeared in Blue Mountain State, portrayed Candace in Insecure, and famously played Whitney Houston in the BET miniseries The Bobby Brown Story. Additionally, she portrayed Tilda Johnson in the Netflix Marvel series Luke Cage and can be seen alongside Deon Cole in Old Spice TV commercials.
Journey Christine as Maya Upshaw
Journey Christine makes her debut in The Upshaws Part 4 as Maya Upshaw, the youthful offspring of Bennie and Regina. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Christine embarked on her acting journey at the tender age of 13 months, beginning with captivating commercials. In 2019, she graced the big screen with her first movie role in Let it Snow, and has also mesmerized audiences with her appearances in Outsiders.
The Upshaws Part 4 Recurring Cast
Mike Estime portrays the character Tony in The Upshaws Part 4 cast. He plays the role of Bennie's employee and friend. Estime is a talented actor who began his career in 2000, gaining recognition for his portrayal of himself in The Bernie Mac Show. He has also appeared as Risky in Everybody Hates Chris, Terrell in Hand of God, and Victor in The Neighborhood.
Dayna Dooley brings the character Sheila to life in The Upshaws Part 4. Sheila was Regina's former boss at the hospital, but she decided to quit her job in the previous season. Dooley, originally from Los Angeles, has had minor roles in renowned TV shows such as Black-ish, Mixed-ish, and Party of Five. She also appeared as Shannon in the TV series Insecure.
Daria Johns joins the cast of The Upshaws Part 4 as Savannah, Aaliyah's best friend. Originally from Chicago, Johns has been acting since the age of six, starting with commercials. She gained recognition for her first major role in the TV movie Miskits and Nappily Ever After. Previously, she appeared in the series Mixed-ish and is set to star in Saturdays in 2023.
In The Upshaws Part 4, Jessica Morris portrays Amy, a friend of Regina. Morris is known for her roles in Lifetime TV movies, including The Wrong Roommate, The Wrong Man, The Wrong Teacher, and The Wrong Mommy. She also had a notable part as Jennifer Rappaport in the soap opera One Life to Live.
Dewayne Perkins portrays the character Hector in Part 4 of The Upshaws. Hector is the boyfriend of Bernard Jr., and Perkins, an actor hailing from Chicago, received training at The Second City. Notably, he worked as a writer on the reboot of Saved by the Bell and the popular sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Furthermore, Perkins wrote and starred in the 2022 film The Blackening, showcasing his multifaceted talents.
Joining the cast as Davis in The Upshaws Part 4 is Leonard Earl Howze. Davis is a close friend of Bennie. Howze, an actor from Los Angeles, is particularly recognized for his portrayal of Dinka in the Barbershop movies. His impressive filmography also includes appearances in The Lone Ranger and Antwone Fisher, as well as notable roles in television shows like NCIS, Shameless, and Kevin Can Wait.