The Upshaws is back in action for Season 5 as the show and its characters return to Netflix.
Created by Regina Y. Hicks and Wanda Sykes, The Upshaws centers on a married couple and their three kids. However, this family also includes a side child and a baby mama who both came during a break in the marriage, making for quite the family dynamic.
Initially brought to Netflix in 2018, Season 5 dropped on the streamer on April 18.
Every Character & Actor in The Upshaws Season 5
Ahead is a list of every main actor in the cast of The Upshaws Season 5, along with the characters they play.
Mike Epps - Bennie Upshaw Sr.
At the forefront of The Upshaws is longtime comedian and Hollywood star Mike Epps, who portrays Bennie Upshaw Sr.
Doing his best to be a better man and keep his temper under control, Epps pushes through his relationship with his wife and children while also taking care of another son outside of his marriage.
Epps is highly recognizable for his role as Black Doug in 2009's The Hangover. Other credits include Friday After Next, Resident Evil: Apocalypse, and Madame Web.
- Instagram: @therealmikeepps
- Wikipedia: Mike Epps
- IMDb: Mike Epps
Wanda Sykes - Lucretia Turner
In addition to her role as the show's co-creator, comedian and actor Wanda Sykes also plays Lucretia Turner.
Lucretia is Benny's partner in his auto garage business, along with his sister-in-law, although they often do not get along.
Sykes is most recognizable for her work in Monster-In-Law, Evan Almighty, Ice Age: Continental Drift, and Bad Moms.
- Instagram: @iamwandasykes
- Wikipedia: Wanda Sykes
- IMDb: Wanda Sykes
Kim Fields - Regina Upshaw
Kim Fields joins the cast of regulars in The Upshaws as Bennie's wife, Regina Upshaw.
Although she is quite confident, she still has to handle the emotional baggage of seeing her husband take care of a child he had outside of their marriage. Having previously worked in healthcare, she quit her job to take care of her well-being.
Fields has previous roles in The Facts of Life, Living Single, and What to Expect When You're Expecting.
- Instagram: @kimfieldsofficial
- Wikipedia: Kim Fields
- IMDb: Kim Fields
Khali Daniya-Renee Spraggins - Aaliyah Upshaw
Khali Daniya-Renee Spraggins adds to the Upshaw family as the oldest daughter, Aaliyah Upshaw.
She is also the same age as her half-brother from her father's other relationship, setting up an interesting relationship with an unexpected addition to her family.
Spraggins has previous minor roles in Empire and Black Privilege.
- Instagram: @iamkhalispraggins
- IMDb: Khali Daniya-Renee Spraggins
Jermelle Simon - Bernard Upshaw
Jermelle Simon's Bernard Upshaw Jr. is the eldest child in the Upshaw family, and he's notable for coming out as gay in Season 1.
Spending the better part of his days working as a UPS driver, he also has to keep an eye on his father, whose eyes sometimes wander outside his marriage to Bernard Jr.'s mother.
Simon is steadily building his resume with appearances in shows such as Animal Kingdom and Tattoo Nightmares.
- Instagram: @jermellesimon
- IMDb: Jermelle Simon
Journey Christine - Maya Upshaw
Young rising star Journey Christine adds a major credit to her resume with her portrayal of Maya Upshaw, Bernie's youngest daughter.
Christine only has a few credits on her resume, including Let It Snow, Outsiders, and Hidden Springs.
- Instagram: @journeychristine
- IMDb: Journey Christine
Diamond Lyons - Kelvin Upshaw
Diamond Lyons adds his flavor to The Upshaws as Kelvin Upshaw.
Kelvin is the odd man out in this family. He was Bennie's child out of wedlock with his wife, and he is the same age as his half-sister, Aaliyah.
Outside of The Upshaws, Lyons' other performances can be seen in Colin in Black & White and 5th Ward.
- Instagram: @iamdiamondlyons
- IMDb: Diamond Lyons
Daria Johns - Savannah
Daria Johns stars in the supporting cast of The Upshaws with her role as Savannah, Aaliyah's best friend.
The young actress previously appeared in Saturdays, Nappily Ever After, and A Black Lady Sketch Show.
- Instagram: @dariadjohns
- IMDb: Daria Johns
Mike Estime - Tony
Mike Estime is a longtime member of The Upshaws' cast, portraying a character named Tony.
Tony adds to Bennie's professional and personal life as both an employee at Bennie's Garage and a friend of the owner.
Estime has past roles in Last Holiday, Harbinger Down, and The Neighborhood.
- Instagram: @mikeestimecomiic
- Wikipedia: Mike Estime
- IMDb: Mike Estime
Emilio Rivera - Barkavious
Emilio Rivera impacts The Upshaws story as an entertaining character named Barkavious.
Rivera is best known for his work in Sons of Anarchy, Mayans M.C., and Venom.
- Instagram: @emiliorivera48
- Wikipedia: Emilio Rivera
- IMDb: Emilio Rivera
Leonard Earl Howze - Davis
Another friend of Bennie's is Davis, played in The Upshaws by Leonard Earl Howze.
Fans can also see Howze in Barbershop, The Ringer, The Lone Ranger, and A Thousand Words.
- Instagram: @leonardearlhowze
- Wikipedia: Leonard Earl Howze
- IMDb: Leonard Earl Howze
Paul-Mikél Williams - Tristan
Coming onto the scene in The Upshaws as Aaliyah's boyfriend, Tristan (to mixed reception) is played by Paul-Mikél Williams.
Williams' resume also includes performances in The 15:17 to Paris, Westworld, and Insidious: The Red Door.
- Instagram: @paulmikelwilliams
- IMDb: Paul-Mikél Williams
Tabitha Brown - Miss Wilson
Tabitha Brown's Miss Wilson is Maya's school teacher in The Upshaws, although she's occasionally caused controversy for the Upshaw family.
Besides various talk show appearances, Brown's other credits include Will & Grace, For the Love of Jason, and The Chi.
- Instagram: @iamtabithabrown
- Wikipedia: Tabitha Brown
- IMDb: Tabitha Brown
Tammy Townsend - Angela
Tammy Townsend comes into The Upshaws as Tristan's mother, Angela, who holds a long grudge against Regina that goes back to their high school days.
Townsend's biggest credits are Sherri, K.C. Undercover, and Playing Mona Lisa.
- Instagram: @tammytownsend10
- Wikipedia: Tammy Townsend
- IMDb: Tammy Townsend
Dondré T. Whitfield - James
Dondré T. Whitfield is a relative newcomer on The Upshaws as he plays a supporting character named James.
Whitfield's other major credits come in The Event, All My Children, and Cold Case.
- Instagram: @alldondre
- Wikipedia: Dondré T. Whitfield
- IMDb: Dondré T. Whitfield
Ayaamii Sledge - Sydney
Ayaamii Sledge portrays a young character named Sydney in The Upshaws, who turns Bernard Jr.'s life around upon her arrival.
She is revealed to be Bernard Jr.'s daughter, pushing the gay man into an unexpected relationship with the newest member of his family.
Sledge's previous work includes roles in Obi-Wan Kenobi, 911, and The Rookie.
- Instagram: @ayaamillsledge
- IMDb: Ayaamii Sledge
Sharifa Oliver - Monique
Sharifa Oliver is a longtime supporting star in The Upshaws, portraying a character named Monique Robinson.
Monique is Bernard's ex-girlfriend and the mother of their daughter, Sydney, who also has a career as a police officer.
Oliver also has appearances in Grown-ish, Rel, and Dear White People.
- Instagram: @sharifaoliver
- IMDb: Sharifa Oliver
Dewayne Perkins - Hector
Dewayne Perkins portrays a character named Hector, who is seen dating Bernard Jr. after Bernard reveals himself to be gay.
Fans can see other work from Perkins in The Blackening, The Amber Ruffin Show, and the 2020 Saved by the Bell reboot.
- Instagram: @dewayneperkins
- Wikipedia: Dewayne Perkins
- IMDb: Dewayne Perkins
Gabrielle Dennis - Tasha
Gabrielle Dennis embodies a role in The Upshaws as Tasha Lewis.
Not only is she the neighborhood hairstylist, but she is also Bennie's aforementioned ex-girlfriend and baby mama, with Kelvin being her son.
Dennis played major supporting characters in Luke Cage, The Bobby Brown Story, and A Black Lady Sketch Show.
- Instagram: @gabrielle_dennis
- Wikipedia: Gabrielle Dennis
- IMDb: Gabrielle Dennis
Page Kennedy - Duck
Page Kennedy joins The Upshaws' cast as Duck, one of the newest employees at Bernie's Garage.
Having just been released from prison, Duck is looking to turn his life around as he finds solace in Christianity.
Kennedy can also be seen in Snowfall, The Meg, and CSI.
- Instagram: @pagekennedy
- Wikipedia: Page Kennedy
- IMDb: Page Kennedy
Tony Espinosa - Young Bennie
Tony Espinosa plays a minor role throughout The Upshaws as Bennie in his younger years.
Espinosa is also recognized for his work in PEN15, American Skin, and Criminal Minds.
- Instagram:@tonyj_espinosa
- IMDb: Tony Espinosa
Kaycie Jackson - Young Regina
Regina also gets a look at her past with a young version in The Upshaws, which Kaycie Jackson portrays.
This series is Jackson's first major credit.
The Upshaws Season 5 is now streaming on Netflix.
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