It’s been years since the final episode of The Haves and the Have Nots aired on OWN, but the fans? They haven't gone anywhere. Seriously. If you scroll through Twitter or pop into a Facebook group dedicated to the show, people are still debating Jim Cryer’s latest scheme or Candace Young’s legendary side-eye. Tyler Perry basically struck gold when he decided to pivot into the prime-time soap opera world. He didn't just give us a show; he gave us a chaotic, messy, high-stakes obsession that ran for eight seasons. It was the first scripted series for Oprah Winfrey's network, and honestly, it carried the weight of that entire channel on its back for a long time.
The Haves and the Have Nots cast was the engine. Without that specific group of actors, the show probably would have collapsed under the weight of its own melodrama. It was a weird, lightning-in-a-bottle moment where you had seasoned veterans like John Schneider working alongside absolute newcomers who were just trying to find their footing in Hollywood. That friction worked. It created a world in Savannah, Georgia, that felt lived-in, even when the plotlines went completely off the rails into "how is this even possible?" territory.
Tika Sumpter as the Unforgettable Candace Young
You can't talk about this show without starting with Tika Sumpter. She was the anchor. As Candace Young, she wasn't just a "villain" or a "femme fatale." She was a survivor with a chip on her shoulder the size of a Savannah mansion. Tika brought a level of nuance to a character that could have easily been a one-dimensional trope. You kind of hated her, but you also kind of wanted her to win because everyone she was up against was technically worse.
Since the show wrapped, Tika has moved into a completely different lane. She’s become a bit of a staple in the Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise as Maddie Wachowski. It’s a huge shift from the dark, gritty world of Tyler Perry’s Georgia to a massive family-friendly blockbuster. She’s also done some incredible work behind the scenes as a producer. She actually co-developed the show Mixed-ish for ABC. It’s cool to see her leverage the massive platform she got from playing Candace to become a power player in the industry. She’s proven she isn't just an actress; she's a mogul in the making.
The Cryer Family and the Weight of Privileged Chaos
John Schneider played Jim Cryer. Most people knew him as Bo Duke from The Dukes of Hazzard, but he completely shed that "good ol' boy" image to play a corrupt judge. He was terrifying. He was charming. He was the guy you loved to loathe. Schneider brought a classic soap opera gravitas to the Haves and the Have Nots cast that really elevated the material. His chemistry with Crystal Fox—who played Hanna Young—was the emotional core of the series, even when they were at each other’s throats.
Crystal Fox herself is a powerhouse. After the show, she didn't just fade away. She showed up in Big Little Lies on HBO, acting alongside Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman. Let that sink in. She went from a Tyler Perry soap to one of the most critically acclaimed prestige dramas of the decade. It just goes to show that the talent on OWN was top-tier. She also starred in A Fall from Grace on Netflix, which was another Tyler Perry production that broke viewing records. Crystal has this way of playing "suffering" that feels so real it’s almost uncomfortable to watch.
📖 Related: Gwendoline Butler Dead in a Row: Why This 1957 Mystery Still Packs a Punch
Then there’s Renée Lawless as Katheryn Cryer. She was the ice queen with a hidden heart. Lawless came from a heavy theater background, and you could tell. Her diction, her posture—she was every bit the Savannah socialite. In real life, she’s one of the biggest advocates for the show's legacy. She’s constantly engaging with fans and doing charity work. She really leaned into the "mom" role of the cast, keeping everyone connected long after the cameras stopped rolling.
Why the Harrington Family Mattered
Peter Parros and Angela Robinson played David and Veronica Harrington. If the Cryers were the "old money" mess, the Harringtons were the "new money" disaster. Angela Robinson’s portrayal of Veronica was... well, it was legendary. She was arguably the most hated and loved person on the show simultaneously. Her "The Ice Queen" nickname wasn't just for show. The way she delivered lines felt like she was cutting the other actors with a scalpel.
Honestly, the Haves and the Have Nots cast wouldn't have been the same without the psychological warfare the Harringtons brought to the table. Peter Parros provided a much-needed calm to the storm, though his character had plenty of his own baggage. Parros has been around the block—fans might remember him from Knight Rider or One Life to Live. He brought a level of professional stability to the set that helped the younger actors stay grounded.
The Supporting Players Who Stole the Spotlight
We have to mention Gavin Houston (Jeffrey Harrington) and Aaron O'Connell (Wyatt Cryer). Their storyline was one of the most controversial and talked-about aspects of the show. It dealt with sexuality, addiction, and parental rejection in a way that felt very "Tyler Perry"—which is to say, it was loud and intense.
- Gavin Houston: Has stayed busy with TV movies and guest spots. He’s a fitness fanatic in real life, which he shares constantly on Instagram.
- Aaron O'Connell: He’s become a bit of a king in the Hallmark and holiday movie world. It’s a total 180 from playing a drug-addicted, tormented son.
- Tyler Lepley: Playing Benny Young was his big break. Now? He’s a lead in P-Valley on Starz and Harlem on Amazon Prime. He’s arguably one of the most successful "graduates" of the show.
The show was a training ground. It was a place where actors learned how to handle 80-page scripts and intense shooting schedules. Tyler Perry is known for moving fast. Like, really fast. Some episodes were shot in a single day. That kind of environment either breaks you or turns you into a pro who can handle anything. For most of this cast, it was the latter.
👉 See also: Why ASAP Rocky F kin Problems Still Runs the Club Over a Decade Later
The Legacy of the Show in 2026
Looking back, The Haves and the Have Nots was a cultural phenomenon for a specific demographic. It bridged the gap between the traditional daytime soaps that were dying out and the new era of "prestige" streaming soaps. It didn't care about being subtle. It cared about being entertaining.
People often ask if there will ever be a reboot or a reunion. Tyler Perry is famously moving on to massive deals with Netflix and BET+, so a revival on OWN seems unlikely. However, the cast remains tight. They frequently post "throwback Thursday" photos together. There’s a genuine bond there because they survived the grueling production schedule together. They know they created something that people are still binge-watching on Allblk or Hulu.
The Haves and the Have Nots cast proved that there was a massive audience for diverse, high-octane drama that didn't follow the "prestige TV" rules. They gave us eight years of "did that really just happen?" moments. Whether it was a car driving into a living room or a secret child appearing out of nowhere, they sold it. They sold every second of it.
Practical Steps for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you’re still reeling from the finale or just starting your first binge-watch, here’s how to actually engage with the show’s legacy and the actors' current work.
Track the Cast’s Current Projects
Don't just wait for them to pop up on your feed. Follow Tika Sumpter’s production company, Sumpter Media. If you miss the drama of the Harringtons, watch Angela Robinson’s stage work; she’s a theater vet who occasionally does one-woman shows and masterclasses. Watching their new work gives you a deeper appreciation for the range they had to suppress to play soap opera archetypes.
✨ Don't miss: Ashley My 600 Pound Life Now: What Really Happened to the Show’s Most Memorable Ashleys
Study the "Tyler Perry Method"
For actors, this show is a case study. Many of the Haves and the Have Nots cast members have spoken about the "bootcamp" nature of the set. If you’re trying to get into the industry, learn to memorize quickly. Perry’s sets move at a pace that is almost unheard of in Hollywood. The actors who thrived there—like Tyler Lepley and Crystal Fox—did so because they were prepared before they even stepped foot on the lot.
Utilize Streaming for Research
The entire series is usually available on platforms like Allblk or Hulu. If you’re a writer or a creator, watch the early seasons specifically to see how the tension was built. The show’s ability to hook an audience at the end of every single act is a masterclass in pacing, even if you find the plots a bit over-the-top.
Engage with the Community
The #HAHN hashtag is still active on social media. There are deep-dive YouTube channels that break down the continuity errors and the best fashion moments. Joining these communities is the best way to keep the show alive and get news about potential cast reunions at fan conventions like Essence Fest.
The show might be over, but the careers it launched are still very much in motion. It wasn't just a soap; it was a launchpad.