EXCLUSIVE: Tichina Arnold (The Neighborhood, Martin) recently celebrated two decades of working with CBS Studios in a big way.
The actress, director and producer signed a first-look deal with the studio, under her prodco Queen Light Productions. While her time on the CBS hit comedy The Neighborhood is soon to come to a close, as the series will end with its current eighth season, Arnold is making plans for the future.
“I am extremely excited to have a first look deal with CBS Studios,” she tells Deadline. “My sister Zenay and I started a company called Queens Light, and it’s amazing to continue working creatively with a studio and team that we’ve already been part of for so long.”
She continued, “I have a few projects that I’m working on. One project I’m not going to say because the last time I said it, it happened, but it didn’t happen with me, so I’m not going to put it out there yet. But it’s a project about a very prominent woman and singer who had a very interesting life. So I’m going to revisit that, but will leave you on a cliffhanger until I can share more.”
Across Arnold’s 20 years with CBS Studios, she has starred on Everybody Hates Chris, which premiered in 2005, playing the mother of the titular Chris Rock’s character, portrayed by Tyler James Williams. The Neighborhood premiered on CBS in 2018 and is celebrating its final season after more than 150 episodes, with the finale airing in May. She also directed her 2nd episode of television on the series, airing this spring. Additionally, Arnold stars in the Comedy Central animated series Everybody Still Hates Chris, an animated spinoff of the original series, and made a guest appearance on Crutch, both of which are available to stream on Paramount+.
While noting many of Arnold’s biggest credits, the series that launched her career into the stratosphere was the Fox comedy series Martin, starring opposite Martin Lawrence and Tisha Campbell. She played Pam across the show’s 5 seasons, the annoying nemesis of the titular Martin and best friend of Campbell’s character, Gina.
Beth Behrs, Max Greenfield, Cedric The Entertainer, Sheaun McKinney, Amber West, Tichina Arnold, French Stewart, Marcel Spears, Skye Townsend and Hank Greenspan.
Monty Brinton/CBS
Reflecting on her most recent series, Arnold is grateful for her time with the cast and crew, as well as the opportunities that have come from it, like becoming a first-time director.
“Eight seasons of working on The Neighborhood have taught me so much. It taught me that my growth in this industry was needed at this very time. What made the experience so special was that everyone genuinely wanted to be there – it was the perfect storm and perfect mix of people, as if God-ordained. I wish I could bottle what we had and take it with me to every job. To have felt that level of camaraderie and love on the show is something truly special. You can’t beat it – and I don’t think anything else will ever match it,” the New York native revealed.
Adding, “I’ve developed a great sixth sense when it comes to knowing whether a show is going to work, if it will resonate and go far. And from the very first table read of The Neighborhood, it just felt right.”
Production on the series has officially concluded, and while Arnold reveals she’s not a crier, she said that final day filming on set was “heavy and emotional.” As a pro at saying hello and goodbye to new friends and costars who become family on TV projects, she had advice for everyone on that last day.
“As heartbreaking and bittersweet as it is, be grateful. We got to experience each other on a level that very few people in this business ever get to. When you lead with gratitude, it softens the sadness,” Arnold stated.
For the fans, she also shared a message because there’s still a journey ahead.
“You’re going to laugh, and you’re going to feel good. It’s one of those shows you can sit down and watch with your whole family. And that’s what people are really going to miss: everyone can enjoy it, from every background and every walk of life. You could turn on The Neighborhood and just have a good time together. We’ve got some great episodes on the way, and I’m grateful we were able to bring the story to a close in a way that really honors the journey,” Arnold teased.
