Lil Kev on BET+: Everything we know so far 

Lil Kev is an adult animated series created by Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat Entertainment in collaboration with BET+, set to debut in Spring 2025. This half-hour show takes inspiration from Hart’s upbringing in North Philadelphia.

Set in 1993, Lil Kev follows 12-year-old Kevin Hart as he navigates life in his neighbourhood, blending vivid imagination and optimism with the realities of his environment.

The series features Kevin Hart voicing his younger self, Wanda Sykes as Nancy, Kevin’s mother, Deon Cole as Uncle Richard Jr., Nancy’s brother who has returned from prison. Additional casting announcements are expected in the coming months.

The series explores Kevin’s family dynamics, showcasing his interactions with his older brother Robert, his father Henry’s attempts to reconnect, and Uncle Richard Jr.'s unconventional guidance. The narrative portrays Kevin’s journey toward personal and comedic growth.

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Expected release date and viewing options for Lil Kev explored

Lil Kev is scheduled to premiere in Spring 2025 on BET+, which is currently the sole platform announced to stream the series. It is a subscription-based streaming service, offering two plans:

• Essential Plan: Priced at $5.99 per month or $54.99 annually, this plan includes limited advertisements.
• Premium Plan: Available for $10.99 per month or $104.99 per year, this option provides an ad-free experience.

BET+ is primarily available within the United States. Access from other countries may be restricted due to licensing agreements and regional limitations. For viewers outside the U.S., a Virtual Private Network (VPN) might be necessary to access BET+ content.

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Lil Kev: What to expect?

The series features Wanda Sykes as Nancy, Kevin’s hardworking and "God-fearing mother" who struggles with her night shifts as an ER nurse and tries to keep her son on the right path. Deon Cole takes on the role of Uncle Richard Jr., Nancy’s "fitness-obsessed" younger brother who has recently returned from prison and is always on the hustle. Additional casting details are expected to be revealed soon.

In a statement shared with Variety on January 27, 2025, Kevin Hart expressed his excitement for the project, saying the series is a personal "celebration" of his roots in Philadelphia. He highlighted the collaboration with comedy veterans Wanda Sykes and Deon Cole in bringing Lil Kev to life.

According to the same publication, Hart, alongside Bryan Smiley, Jeff Clanagan, Mike Stein, and Candice Wilson Cherry, serves as executive producer for Heartbeat. It's the company behind the show’s development and production.

Wanda Sykes in Los Angeles, California. (Image via Getty)

Moreover, Tiffany Brown from Hartbeat serves as a co-executive producer, while Matthew Claybrooks and Michael Price take on roles as both showrunners and executive producers. The series’ animation is managed by ShadowMachine, with Alex Bulkley and Corey Campodonico as executive producers. Additionally, BET+ executives, Jason Harvey and Rose Catherine Pinkney, are involved in the project.

Jason Harvey, BET+’s EVP of Strategy and Operations, told Variety that the series represents an opportunity to portray "multifaceted experiences." He said:

“Adding the dynamic cast to support that storytelling made the project the perfect fit for our subscribers because it allows us to better represent the multifaceted experiences across our diverse audience of comedy and animation enthusiasts.”

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More about Lil Kev

The logline for the series reads:

“Set in 1993 North Philadelphia, the adult animated series “Lil Kev” follows 12-year-old Kevin Hart, whose wild imagination and unshakable optimism constantly collide with his neighborhood’s harsh realities. At the same time, his no-nonsense mother Nancy juggles night shifts as an E.R. nurse while waging a one-woman war to keep Kev on track."

The synopsis continues:

"No easy feat with his mischievous older brother Robert blazing all the wrong trails, his trainwreck father Henry’s outrageous attempts to win Nancy back, and his ex-con uncle Richard Jr.’s questionable life advice. Through it all, Lil Kev navigates his rocky upbringing with humor, hustle, and heart, surrounded by the unforgettable characters who will propel him to comedy superstardom.”

In a press statement, BET Media Group President Scott Mills said that Lil Kev is an "exciting milestone" for the streaming platform as it expands its content portfolio with "culturally resonant" stories.

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Stay tuned for more updates on this animated series.