If you were watching Showtime back in 2018, you probably remember the collective "wait, what?" that happened when Reg Taylor suddenly vanished from The Chi. It wasn't just a character exit. It was a whole moment in internet culture. Barton Fitzpatrick didn't just play a gang leader; he played a guy who felt like he actually lived on the South Side.
Fast forward to 2026, and people are still scouring streaming guides for tv shows with Barton Fitzpatrick because he has this weird, magnetic ability to make even a small role feel like the lead. He’s the guy who can stare down a camera and tell a thousand words without saying anything.
He’s a Chicago kid, through and through. Born and raised. That’s why his roles in the Dick Wolf universe—Chicago Med, Chicago P.D., and Chicago Justice—didn't feel like "acting" in the traditional sense. He was just being home. But if you're looking for where he really made his mark, you have to look at the shows that let him lean into the grit.
The Resurrection of Reg Taylor in The Chi
Let’s be honest. Most people started looking for more tv shows with Barton Fitzpatrick because they were mad about how things ended on The Chi. For years, the rumor mill was obsessed with why he left. Some said it was a dispute over a storyline involving a transgender love interest; Barton himself has mostly stayed focused on the work rather than the noise.
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Then came the shocker.
While everyone thought Reg died in that drive-by at the end of Season 2, the writers pulled a fast one. Season 7 saw his "shock return," and suddenly, the internet was 2018-levels of chaotic again. Seeing him back on screen as Reg Taylor in 2025 and 2026 feels like a weird time warp, but it proves one thing: the show missed his energy. He brings a specific kind of "real" that’s hard to replicate.
Power Book IV: Force and the Blaxton Era
After the initial Chi exit, Barton moved over to the Power universe. If you haven't seen Power Book IV: Force, you’re missing out on his role as Blaxton.
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What's cool about this one? The role was actually written specifically for him. Joseph Sikora (Tommy Egan) and the showrunners clearly saw what fans saw. He played a member of the Dead Boys Crew, and honestly, seeing him on screen with his real-life best friend Kris D. Lofton (who plays Jenard) made the chemistry feel effortless. They weren't just two actors hitting marks. They were two Chicago guys bringing the city’s actual vibe to a global audience.
Every Show You’ll Find Him In
If you’re doing a marathon, here is the roadmap of Barton Fitzpatrick’s television career. It’s not just the big hits; he’s popped up in some places you might have blinked and missed.
- The Chi (2018–2019, 2025–Present): His definitive role. As Reg, he was the protector/antagonist who balanced being a terrifying gang leader with being a deeply loyal older brother to Jake.
- Power Book IV: Force (2022): He joined the Power world as Blaxton. It was a shorter run but high impact.
- Empire (2019): He played "Prophetic the Poet" in the episode "Do You Remember Me?" It was a nice nod to his real-life musical talents.
- Legacy (2023–Current): On BET+, he plays Victor "Vee" Stanton. This show feels like Barton is finally getting the "veteran" respect he deserves in a lead ensemble.
- The Chicago "Triple Threat": He’s one of the few actors who can say they’ve been in Chicago Med (as a GSW patient), Chicago P.D. (as Jamal Tate), and Chicago Justice (as Chris Stackhouse).
Why He Keeps Getting Cast
Barton isn't just a TV actor. He’s a theater guy—a finalist in the August Wilson Monologue Competition and a UIC BFA grad. That training shows. When you look at tv shows with Barton Fitzpatrick, you see a pattern of "complex loyalty." He plays characters who do bad things for what they think are good reasons.
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He’s also a musician (performing under the name Bartón). You can hear his music tucked into the soundtracks of some of the very shows he acts in. It’s that multi-hyphenate hustle that keeps him relevant in 2026 while other actors from the 2018 era have faded away.
What’s Next for Him?
Right now, he's leaning heavily into film while maintaining his TV presence. He’s got a Tubi Original for Fox/Marvista in the works, and he’s been working on projects like Black Cats and Let Us Make Eve. But for the TV fans, the big draw remains his "second life" on The Chi.
Actionable Tips for Fans
If you want to catch up on his full range, don't just stick to the hits.
- Watch the early Dick Wolf cameos: It’s fun to see him develop from a "patient of the week" to a series regular.
- Check out Legacy on BET+: It’s a different vibe than the gritty streets of The Chi and shows more of his dramatic range.
- Listen to his music: Search for "Bartón" on Spotify or Apple Music. It adds a whole different layer to his "Prophetic the Poet" character from Empire.
The guy is a survivor in an industry that usually chews people up. Whether he's playing Blaxton or Reg, Barton Fitzpatrick brings a level of Chicago authenticity that you just can't teach in an acting class.
To see him in his most recent return, you can stream the latest episodes of The Chi on Paramount+ with Showtime. If you're looking for his more "underrated" work, head over to BET+ for Legacy. For those who want to see his transition into leading man territory, keep an eye on the Tubi "Originals" section this year, as he's set to headline several upcoming features.