The Duncan family, television’s most stylish and ruthless crime dynasty, is back in the spotlight, and their actors are busier than ever. As of December 2025, fans are deep into the drama of Carl Weber's The Family Business Season 6, which premiered on BET+ in October 2025, continuing the saga of the Duncans, who manage a lucrative exotic car dealership by day and a shadowy criminal empire by night. This article dives into the full cast, their pivotal roles, and the exciting new projects the stars are tackling outside of the Duncan family’s complex world.
The success of the hit series, based on the bestselling book series by Carl Weber, has catapulted its core cast into a new level of stardom, leading to major roles across film and television. From the patriarch L.C. Duncan to the newest faces in the spin-off, The Family Business: New Orleans, discover the full breakdown of the actors who bring this compelling crime drama to life and what they’ve been up to in 2025.
The Family Business Main Cast: Character Profiles and Latest Biographies
The heart of the series lies with the Duncan family’s core members, led by the legendary Ernie Hudson. Their detailed profiles reveal the depth of experience they bring to their roles as the heads and heirs of the family business.
Ernie Hudson as Luvernious “L.C.” Duncan
- Role in Series: The formidable patriarch of the Duncan family and the founder of the exotic car dealership that serves as a front for their illicit operations. L.C. is a man constantly battling to protect his family and maintain his empire.
- Latest Updates (2025): Ernie Hudson has had a stellar 2025, proving he is one of the busiest actors in Hollywood. He continues his main role as Herbert 'Magic' Williams, the head of the Quantum Leap project, on the NBC drama Quantum Leap. Furthermore, he is set to reprise his iconic role as Winston Zeddemore in an upcoming Ghostbusters animated series for Netflix, keeping the franchise alive. He also stars in the CBS show Boston Blue.
- Biography Snapshot: Born December 17, 1945, Hudson is best known globally for his role in the Ghostbusters franchise. His career spans decades, making him a true Hollywood veteran and a cornerstone of the Family Business cast.
Valarie Pettiford as Charlotte “Chippy” Duncan
- Role in Series: The elegant and equally ruthless matriarch of the Duncan family, Charlotte is L.C.’s wife and the glue (or perhaps the iron fist) that holds the family together.
- Latest Updates (2025): Valarie Pettiford’s recent work includes a recurring role on the long-running soap opera The Young and the Restless, where she played the character Amy. Her excellence was recognized with a Daytime Emmy nomination in 2025 for Guest Performer. In a major honor, she was celebrated as the 2025 BronzeLens Legendary Women SuperStar.
- Biography Snapshot: Pettiford is an acclaimed actress, singer, and dancer with a career spanning nearly five decades, known for her powerful stage presence and versatility.
Darrin Dewitt Henson as Orlando Duncan
- Role in Series: L.C. and Charlotte’s son, Orlando is one of the heirs to the family empire, often grappling with the moral and professional demands of the "family business."
- Latest Updates (2025): Darrin Henson has been focusing on diverse projects, including the upcoming documentary The Untold Darrin Henson Story, which is set to premiere on Tubi in September 2025. He also stars in the ALLBLK original series Double Cross.
- Biography Snapshot: An accomplished actor and choreographer, Henson gained initial fame for his work in music videos and later for roles in films like Stomp the Yard and TV shows such as Soul Food.
Sean Ringgold as Junior Duncan
- Role in Series: Another of the Duncan children, Junior is heavily involved in the day-to-day operations and the darker side of the business, often serving as the family’s enforcer.
- Latest Updates (2025): While Ringgold’s primary focus remains on his role in The Family Business Season 6, he continues to be a recognizable face from his long-running role on the soap opera One Life to Live.
The Expanding Duncan Universe: New Orleans Spin-Off Cast
The success of the original series led to the creation of the spin-off, The Family Business: New Orleans, which further explores the extended Duncan family and their criminal entanglements in a new city. This expansion has introduced several prominent actors to the crime drama universe.
- Lela Rochon as Big Shirley Duncan: Rochon takes on the leading role in the spin-off, portraying Big Shirley Duncan, a pivotal new character in the expanding saga. Her casting was a major announcement for the new series.
- Brandon T. Jackson as Marquis Duncan: Known for his comedic and dramatic roles, Jackson plays Marquis Duncan, a key figure in the New Orleans branch of the family.
- Pooch Hall as Floyd: Hall, recognized for his work in The Game and Ray Donovan, joined the cast as Floyd, adding another layer of star power to the ensemble.
- Benjamin Stephens as Curtis Duncan: Stephens portrays Curtis Duncan, one of the younger members navigating the high-stakes world of the family's operations in the Big Easy.
The introduction of these new characters and the shift in setting to New Orleans ensures the series maintains its topical authority in the crime family drama genre, exploring new conflicts and alliances within the Duncan empire. This strategic expansion by creator Carl Weber and BET+ keeps the storyline fresh and the ensemble cast dynamic.
Topical Authority: The Carl Weber Phenomenon and LSI Keywords
The enduring popularity of The Family Business is inextricably linked to its source material and the creative vision of its author and executive producer, Carl Weber. The show’s ability to weave together elements of a family saga, a high-stakes crime thriller, and a gritty drama has secured its place as a flagship series for BET+.
The show's core themes—the tension between legitimate and illegitimate enterprises, the struggle for power within a wealthy family, and the consequences of a criminal lifestyle—resonate deeply with audiences. This thematic richness generates a multitude of highly relevant LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords that naturally enhance the article's depth and search engine visibility:
- Crime Drama Series: The primary genre that defines the show's structure and tone.
- BET+ Original: The exclusive streaming platform and network where the series is broadcast.
- Duncan Family Saga: The central narrative arc revolving around the dynasty.
- Exotic Car Dealership: The legitimate front for the family's illegal activities.
- Bestselling Book Series: The original source material by author Carl Weber.
- Family Business Season 6 Plot: The latest, most current information driving fan curiosity.
- Black Hollywood Talent: Highlighting the esteemed cast of Black actors and actresses.
The continued updates in 2025, including the Season 6 premiere and the successful launch of the *New Orleans* spin-off, confirm the series’ status as a major player in the streaming landscape. The cast members, with their diverse and ongoing projects—from Ernie Hudson’s return to *Ghostbusters* to Valarie Pettiford’s Daytime Emmy recognition—demonstrate that their careers are thriving both on and off the set of the Duncan family empire. Fans can expect more twists, turns, and star-studded performances as the saga continues to unfold.
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