Lil Kev, a new animated comedy series on BET Plus, co-created by Matthew Claybrooks, the supervising producer behind Everybody Still Hates Chris, debuted on March 6. This series, which brings Kevin Hart‘s early life to life, captures the essence of his 1990s childhood in North Philly.
In an exclusive interview with The Quintessential Gentleman, Claybrooks shared the journey of creating Lil Kev—a story that took years of perseverance, hard work, and, above all, faith.
Claybrooks detailed the long journey it took to get Lil Kev off the ground, revealing how the show’s inception dates back to 2016. “Michael and I hooked up; we sold this thing a long time ago. We thought it was a slam dunk, amazing cast,” Claybrooks said, reflecting on the initial pitch. “At that point, it was more of a network show, so it was still edgy but no profanity… But eventually, it didn’t go there, and I never gave up on it.”
After multiple setbacks, including changes in network leadership and mergers that hindered the show’s progress, Claybrooks persisted. “I remember being on the road with Chris Rock, doing a Zoom with BET, pitching the show, thinking, ‘BET is not in the animation game, what’s the odds?'”
But to his surprise, BET was all in and actually wanted the series to be more edgy. “They wanted us to be edgier, to really go there, and we were like, ‘That’s how we wanted to do it in the first place.'”
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Claybrooks says perseverance is required to get the show made. “You have to be unshakable… If you’re not, I don’t care how talented you are, you don’t have perseverance, it’s not for you. It’s not for the meek,” he said. The show’s success is a testament to his determination, and now, Lil Kev has found its home on BET Plus, where its raw, unfiltered comedy shines.
While Hart was an integral part of the project from the beginning, Claybrooks recalled the process of pitching the show to him. “Kevin always wanted to do an animated show, and we built something that he loved. He picked us to make it happen,” Claybrooks explained. The collaboration between Claybrooks, Price, and Hart resulted in a show that feels both personal and universal, blending sharp humor with moments of raw authenticity.
In developing the series, the creators made sure to stay true to the essence of North Philly in the 1990s. “We wanted to show the real,” Claybrooks explained. “Kevin loved growing up there. He’s not one of these guys that couldn’t wait to get out. He enjoyed it.”
However, Claybrooksalso made a point of researching the environment, even visiting Hart’s old neighborhood. “I went to Philly… saw three drug deals in broad daylight… I didn’t feel safe getting out. But that’s the reality, and we wanted to stay true to that.”
The show doesn’t shy away from the rough realities of life in North Philly, touching on themes such as family struggles and the challenges of growing up in a rough neighborhood. Claybrooks and his team infused the show with a mix of humor and heart, ensuring that it doesn’t just entertain but also resonates with audiences on a deeper level. “We never want to do a very special episode… but in life, there are moments where you cry or want to cry,” he shared. “We always want to ground it. If you take the funny away, the story still plays.”
The casting in Lil Kev also gives the series its edge. Wanda Sykes, whom Claybrooks described as “top five comedians of all time,” voices Kevin’s no-nonsense mother, Nancy. “We always wanted Wanda. Kevin stuck to his guns; he was like, ‘We’re not doing it without Wanda,'” ClayBrooks recalled. The chemistry between Sykes, Hart, and the rest of the cast, including Deon Cole as Uncle Richard Jr., brings the show’s heartwarming yet hilarious moments to life.
Claybrooks also discussed the importance of representation in animation, specifically Black animation, which has historically been underrepresented. “I love The Boondocks, Proud Family, Fat Albert… But we need more Black and Brown animated series,” he said, stressing the importance of stars like Hart to bring these projects to life. He noted that with the support of major stars, such as Hart, it becomes possible to overcome the hurdles of getting animated shows made.
As the show continues to gain attention, Claybrooks is hopeful for a second season, and he’s excited for the future of Black animation. “I think we need more animated series. If you get a big star like Kevin Hart, you can get it done. It’s harder without a driving force behind it,” he said.
Check out the full interview. Lil Kev is now streaming on BET Plus.
