From left, Mike Epps, Kim Fields and Wanda Sykes star in The Upshaws. (Lara Solanki/Netflix)
Published July 11. 2021 12:01AM
Rodney Ho, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Get the weekly rundown Email Submit
When actress Kim Fields first joined the new Netflix sitcom “The Upshaws,” she assumed it would focus primarily on the comedic interplay between Mike Epps and Wanda Sykes and she’d just float in and out as the supportive wife.
But as she read through the episodes, Fields realized Regina Upshaw was the emotional ballast for the entire show.
Fields, 52, hasn’t been a regular on a U.S. sitcom in 23 years, since Fox’s “Living Single,” but returned with a vengeance. “The Upshaws” spent several days at No. 1 on Netflix’s trending list and received plaudits from critics and fans alike.
The Upshaws.
The hilarious trio star as Bennie Upshaw (Epps), Regina Upshaw (Fields) and Lucretia Turner (Sykes) in the streamer’s newest offering, which follows Bennie and Regina as they navigate their blended, working class family in Indianapolis.
The duo are parenting their two young daughters (
Khali Spraggins and
Jermelle Simon) and a teenage son (
Diamond Lyons), whom Bernie fathered with another woman. Along the way, the couple also have to deal with Regina’s sassy sister, Lucretia.
Epps, who was born and raised in Indianapolis, said that he could see details from his own life reflected in the show. The 50-year-old