Another day, another remake, reboot, revival. You get the gist. Amazon Prime Video is stepping into the nostalgia lane with a fresh spin on a beloved classic. The streaming giant has greenlit a new Barbershop series, with rising star Jermaine Fowler set to lead the next generation inside the legendary Chicago shop where the conversation is just as sharp as the fades.
In case you need to know who exactly Fowler is, he’s on the come-up in Hollywood and known for his role in Ricky Stanicky. He will portray Travis “Trav” Porter—the grandson of a barber who once worked at the iconic Calvin’s Barbershop. Though the faces behind the chairs have changed, the energy inside the shop remains the same: bold, funny, and unapologetically rooted in community.
According to the official synopsis, “the barbers are new, the shop remains just as lively, the customers just as argumentative, and the fades are still the dopest in the city—because at Calvin’s, the community comes together for way more than just a haircut.”
Moreover, the upcoming series draws directly from the DNA of the original Barbershop trilogy, with OG screenwriter Marshall Todd returning to both write and executive produce. The project also brings in a powerhouse lineup behind the scenes, including Kevin Hart’s Hartbeat production company, Prominent Productions, State Street Pictures, and Amazon MGM Studios.
Hart’s connection to the franchise dates back to his role as James Ricky in Showtime’s earlier Barbershop TV adaptation, reinforcing the new series’ ties to the franchise’s roots.
“We are thrilled to announce a new series based on the hilarious and innovative world of Barbershop for our global Prime Video customers,” said Vernon Sanders, head of television at Amazon MGM Studios.
“The television adaptation of this iconic film franchise is in excellent hands with co-showrunners Max Searle and Marshall Todd. We couldn’t be happier with their collaboration and hard work to bring Calvin’s Chicago-based barbershop to life for a new audience on Prime Video.”
Originally debuting in 2002, the Barbershop film starred Ice Cube, Cedric The Entertainer, Eve, and Anthony Anderson, among others. It became an instant cultural touchstone with its mix of real talk, comedic timing, and social commentary. The success led to two sequels—Barbershop: Back In Business (2004) and Barbershop: The Next Cut (2016)—each one highlighting the shop’s role as both a cornerstone of the community and a stage for generational dialogue.