If you’ve been following the Duncan family since they were just a small-time operation in Carl Weber’s novels, you know one thing for sure. They are never just selling cars. Season 5 of The Family Business took that "legitimate dealership" facade and basically threw it out the window. It was messy. It was loud. Honestly, it was probably the most divisive season the show has had since it moved over to BET+.
Fans spent months scouring Sean Ringgold’s Instagram for crumbs of information while the show was in production. Then, July 4, 2024, hit, and the Duncans returned with a literal civil war. If you haven't caught up, or if you’re trying to piece together how we got from the Season 4 cliffhangers to the current chaos of Season 6 and the New Orleans spinoff, you aren’t alone. The timeline is a lot to handle.
The Civil War Nobody Saw Coming
The core of The Family Business Season 5 wasn't just about outside cartels or the feds. It was about Junior. Watching Sean Ringgold’s character—the family’s literal muscle and enforcer—turn against LC was a hard pill for a lot of viewers to swallow. Junior has always been the loyal soldier. Seeing him influenced by Donna (LisaRaye McCoy) to the point of a full-blown family schism felt like a betrayal to the fans, not just to LC.
Donna’s arrival as the "Lady Macbeth" of the Duncan empire changed the stakes. She wasn't just looking for a seat at the table; she wanted to flip the table over. Her manipulation of Junior, fueled by the deaths of Lou and Sasha, turned the Duncan household into a tactical war zone.
Why Vegas’s Return Changed Everything
While the Junior drama was unfolding, we finally got more of Vegas Duncan, played by Michael Jai White. His return from being "away" (which is Duncan-speak for laying low or being incarcerated) was supposed to be a homecoming. Instead, it served as the catalyst for the rest of the kids to pick sides.
✨ Don't miss: Who was the voice of Yoda? The real story behind the Jedi Master
- LC and Chippy: Trying to hold onto the old ways while their empire crumbled from within.
- Orlando: Stuck in the middle of being a CEO and a brother.
- Paris and Rio: Dealing with their own side-quests that eventually intersected with the hunt for a mysterious thief.
Basically, the season was a ten-episode pressure cooker.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Finale
There’s a common misconception that the Season 5 finale wrapped things up neatly. It didn't. Not even close. The finale, which aired in late August 2024, left us with more questions about the $140 million theft that has become the driving force of the current Season 6.
The introduction of Roman—the child stolen from LC and Chippy at birth—was the kind of soap opera twist that Carl Weber excels at. It’s wild. It’s arguably over-the-top. But in the world of The Family Business, it’s just another Tuesday. This revelation didn't just add a new character; it recontextualized everything we knew about Chippy’s past.
The Production Reality vs. Fan Expectations
Let’s be real for a second. The show doesn't have a Succession budget. Ernie Hudson, who also executive produces, has been very open about this. In interviews, he’s mentioned how they often have to get creative with how they shoot the action. Sometimes the CGI is a little wonky. Sometimes the transitions are abrupt.
🔗 Read more: Not the Nine O'Clock News: Why the Satirical Giant Still Matters
But that’s kind of the charm, isn't it?
The audience for this show is incredibly loyal because it feels like a community project. When Junior posted that video from the set in December 2023, the comments section exploded. People weren't looking for Emmy-winning cinematography; they wanted to know if LC was still alive and if Paris was still a certified badass with a gun.
The Netflix Factor
A huge reason why Season 5 felt so "big" was the Netflix bump. Even though Season 5 stayed exclusive to BET+ for a long time, the earlier seasons ranking in the Netflix Top 10 earlier in 2024 brought in a whole new wave of fans. These "New York car dealership" fans suddenly found themselves watching a show about a global crime syndicate with supernatural-adjacent twists.
Where the Duncans Stand Now
As of early 2026, the landscape of this franchise has exploded. We aren't just looking at the New York branch anymore.
💡 You might also like: New Movies in Theatre: What Most People Get Wrong About This Month's Picks
- The New Orleans Spinoff: The Family Business: New Orleans premiered in January 2025. It shifted focus to Big Shirley (Lela Rochon) and Marquis (Brandon T. Jackson). It’s a different vibe—more "Big Easy" grit—but the crossover potential is huge.
- Season 6 Stakes: We are currently seeing the fallout of Season 5's $140 million heist. The Duncans are at their most vulnerable.
- The Cast Evolution: We've seen characters like Sonya (Brely Evans) move from the background to becoming major players. Sonya’s role in Season 5 was pivotal because she started compiling family secrets as insurance. Smart move.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you’re still trying to navigate the Duncan universe, here is how you should actually consume the content to make sense of the current 2026 storylines:
- Watch the Season 5 finale twice. Specifically, pay attention to the dialogue between LC and Donna. The seeds for the current "Stolen Child" arc were planted there.
- Don't skip the spinoff. Even if you only care about the New York crew, Ben Stephens (Curtis) and Nayirah Teshali (Lauryn) appear in the New Orleans series. Their character development there directly impacts their motivations when they return to the main series.
- Check the BET+ App over Netflix. Netflix is notorious for losing licenses. In late 2025, they started removing the older seasons. If you want the full story, including the newest episodes, BET+ is the only consistent home for the Duncans.
The Family Business has evolved from a simple book adaptation into a sprawling "Duncan-verse." Season 5 was the bridge that took us from a localized family drama to a multi-city crime saga. Whether you love the soap opera twists or the street-level shootouts, one thing is certain: LC Duncan is not going down without a fight.
To stay current with the Duncans, you’ll need to track the release schedule for the back half of the 2025–2026 season cycle. Keep an eye on the official BET+ press releases for "The Family Business" Season 6 mid-season return dates, as these often shift with little notice. Make sure to follow Carl Weber’s social channels, as he frequently leaks casting news for upcoming Duncan-related projects before the major trades pick them up.