Barbershop: The Series is an American sitcom which made its debut on the Showtime cable network in August 2005. It is based upon the Marc Brown–created characters from the popular films Barbershop (2002) and Barbershop 2: Back in Business (2004), and was developed for television by screenwriter John Ridley. It starred Omar Gooding as Calvin Palmer, Jr., the proprietor of an African-American barbershop on the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. The series was produced by Barbershop and Barbershop 2 producers George Tillman, Jr. and Robert Teitel, along with original Barbershop star Ice Cube. It lasted for only one season, and ten episodes were aired (seven of which were written by Ridley). Production While the original films were no stranger to controversy, the series uses humor to more deeply explore a variety of issues related to the contemporary African-American community, including drug abuse, entrepreneurship, local politics, and the use of the N-word. Continuing from the events of Barbershop 2, the series makes several minor changes. Isaac's surname is changed from Rosenberg to Brice (and the dark-haired man becomes a blond). The Nigerian-born Dinka is renamed "Yinka", as Yinka is an actual Nigerian name, while Dinka is not. Additionally, Dinka was naive and slightly overweight, while Yinka is well-educated and muscular. Ricky, the reformed criminal, is replaced by a more hardened ex-con, Jen's distant relative Romadal Dupree. Finally, Isaac and Jimmy (instead of Yinka) each harbor a crush on Terri. Cast and characters Omar Gooding as Calvin Palmer, Jr. Calvin is the owner of Calvin Jr.’s Barbershop, first opened in 1958 as "Calvin's Barbershop" by his father Calvin Palmer, Sr. He and his wife Jen have a son, Cody. The character was first portrayed in the original Barbershop film by Ice Cube. Gbenga Akinnagbe as Yinka. An immigrant from Nigeria, Yinka fled that country to escape local sectarian violence. He is by far the most well-educated employee at the barbershop. The character was first portrayed in the original Barbershop film (where he was named Dinka) by Leonard Earl Howze. Anna Brown as Jen Palmer. Jen is a homemaker, and has studied hotel management in community college. She and her husband Calvin have a son, Cody. The character was first portrayed in the original Barbershop film by Jazsmin Lewis. Wes Chatham as Isaac Brice. Isaac is a White man raised in African-American neighborhoods, and exclusively dates women of color. He is particularly attracted