Season five of Carl Weber’s “The Family Business” marks a pivotal moment as LC Duncan faces his greatest adversary yet—one of his own sons. The ten-episode season premiered with a double-episode release on July 4, 2024, and will continue with new episodes every Thursday, culminating in a thrilling finale on August 29, 2024.

“The Family Business” has enjoyed remarkable success on BET+, where it has become a fan favorite. Its popularity surged even further when it premiered on Netflix, consistently ranking in the Top 10 series list for four consecutive weeks earlier this year.

Ernie Hudson, who portrays the formidable LC Duncan, also serves as the series' executive producer. Hudson, acclaimed for his roles in classics like "Ghostbusters" and "The Crow," brings both depth and authority to his character, enriching the show’s narrative with his seasoned performance.

In an exclusive interview with BET, Hudson shares insights into his dual role on the show and the dynamic storylines that define this season. He discusses the intense family dynamics, the intricate plot twists, and what fans can expect as the series delves deeper into the power struggles and emotional battles within the Duncan family.

BET: I'm a very big fan of the show. What took you guys so long to give us a new season?

Ernie Hudson: Well, it kind of didn't take that long. We finished it, I think, on the first of the year. There's usually a delay. It plays on BET+ primarily, and then it goes to Netflix. I don't know how all that sort of works out. But, we finished it. It's usually about a four or five-month delay from the time we finish to getting it to the air. 

BET: I think it's because I binge-watched it, so I needed more!

Hudson: Well, that makes me very happy because we started out as a little movie that somehow Carl wanted to turn into a series. Thankfully, BET saw that. And so I was curious to know how we didn't have the biggest budget to do many things a lot of other shows would do. But, I'm so happy that we kind of found our way and the audience is now finding it. It's great. You never know how these things are going to do when you do them. But, Carl is an amazing writer and storyteller, and even working on the show, I never know what he's gonna come up with, but he always somehow manages to pull something unexpected out. 

BET: Season five starts with a lot of drama. You, as LC Duncan, go into war with your son, Junior Duncan, who Sean Ringgold plays. Can you speak a bit more about that storyline? 

Hudson: Well, you know, LC Duncan, to me, is a man who, very bright, could have become probably anything he wanted to, but this country didn't encourage that, didn't give him the opportunities that he felt he should have had. Coming from a background that so many of us come from, he just determined that he would get his one way or the other. He felt the American dream is about getting yours and whatever way you can. He's kind of made the rules on his terms. And for him, it's all about family. It's all about passing on his legacy. It's all about leaving his children, grandchildren, the future generations that generational wealth. But, to do that, you make alliances, break alliances, and make some choices that you have to live with or pay the piper at some point. And what happens in season four is there were a lot of secrets that he and Chippy had that they haven't shared. They should have, but they didn't. Now, it comes back to haunt them, and it causes this rift that I don't know how it can be repaired even after we finish season five. I'm not sure how it will ultimately be, but they have a lot of enemies. Anytime you're trying to do some things, and you’re a billionaire and willing that kind of power, you're going to have enemies. But the shock for LC is the betrayal and the disbelief that it's actually coming from within. 

BET: Are we getting any more seasons after this? 

Hudson: I hope we get more seasons. We do these things, and you are still determining what the network will decide. But the ratings are good. More and more fans have contacted me about “The Family Business” no matter where I travel. That's very exciting because, in the beginning, I said I wasn't sure if anybody would even find it, but people have, and they love the show. So, hopefully, we'll have more seasons to come. Carl has a series of books about the family called “The Family Business.” So, if anybody hasn't read those books, I encourage them to read them. It’s a little bit different than the television series, but it gives a lot of information about the background of these people and how they got to where they are. I read the books and fell in love with the characters, but the series is slightly different. 

BET: Who are your favorite castmates to work with on set?

Hudson: Well, you know, honestly, I haven't found anyone on the set yet that I don't like working with. It's a tremendous cast, and I say that with all sincerity. Valarie Pettiford, of course, plays my wife. I love Valerie. We played husband and wife once before. I don’t remember the name of the show. I love working with her. All the sons, I feel close to everyone. Part of my job as executive producer is to show up a lot of times and determine how other people will show up. So, I'm going to make sure I show up on point, prepared, on time, and try to bring my best work and to encourage everybody to do the same. Everybody on the show – they show up and show out. Everybody is inspiring and just incredibly beautiful. 

With its compelling storyline and stellar performances, season five of “The Family Business” promises to deliver unforgettable drama and suspense. Don’t miss the latest episodes every Thursday, leading up to an explosive season finale.