Summary

• A new generation of the Evans family takes center stage in Netflix's Good Times reboot.
• The original show focused on parents Florida and James, as well as their children Michael, Thelma, and J.J.
• The 2024 series follows Florida and James' grandson, Reggie, alongside his wife and three kids.

With a new generation of the Evans family taking center stage in Netflix's animated Good Times reboot, it's essential to understand the entire family tree. The original Good Times focuses on the family in the 1970s, while the reboot opts for a new family with the same name and a distant connection to the original. The first Good Times series is ingrained in pop culture, so using the same character names would probably have set the show up to be a disaster.

The Evans family was introduced in 1972, with Florida Evans first appearing as a housekeeper in Maude. Thanks to the character's success with viewers, Good Times launched two years later, expanded the Evans family, and became a massive hit. The new Good Times characters include Reggie and Beverly Evans and their children, but the storylines have distinct differences due to the 50-year gap between both series.

Florida Evans (Esther Rolle)

James' wife, Michael, Thelma, and J.J.'s mother, Reggie's grandmother

Florida Evans is one of the most important Good Times characters, serving as the reason for the series' existence. Esther Rolle's scene-stealing appearances in the first two seasons of Maude got network executives interested in following the character away from her workplace. Florida never finished high school, as she needed a job to help support her parents.

When Good Times begins, Florida is a devoted mother who will always be remembered for the hardships she endured as the series progressed. After the death of her husband, James Evans, Florida skips town and marries Carl. However, she returns for the sixth and final season and reveals that her new husband died of cancer.

James Evans (John Amos)

Florida's husband, Michael, Thelma, and J.J.'s father, Reggie's grandfather

James Evans is another crucial character, serving as the patriarch of the Evans family and a great support system to Florida, as well as their three children. James is a veteran of the Korean War and is adamant about finding ways to make life better for his family, even if he suffers from several bouts of unemployment. James is shown to be unhappy with the U.S. government due to the many hurdles of trying to keep his family together, but he aims to instill good values in all of his children.

John Amos was written out of the show after clashing with producers over Good Times' portrayal of an African-American family, believing it to be inauthentic.

John Amos was written out of the show after clashing with producers over Good Times' portrayal of an African-American family, believing it to be inauthentic. His character is killed off following Good Times season 3. Florida later reveals that her husband died in an automobile accident. James' untimely death had a big impact on his family, but it allowed for new and different storytelling opportunities.

Michael Evans (Ralph Carter)

Florida and James' son, Thelma and J.J.'s brother

Michael is the youngest son of Florida and James. He is a passionate activist devoted to being a voice of reason in the neighborhood, which leads to some conflict between him and some of his family members. He has several bust-ups with J.J. because he feels like his big brother doesn't take him seriously. Resilient and with an open ear to listen to other people, Michael is last seen leaving the home to attend university with the hope of becoming a lawyer.

Thelma Evans Anderson (Bern Nadette Stanis)

Florida and James' daughter, Michael and J.J.'s sister

Thelma is intelligent and determined to help her family however she sees fit, so she looks at education as a way to help break free from their financial burdens. As the series progresses, she attends high school before going on to community college. Despite facing several hardships, such as her father's death and her mother leaving town, Thelma's devotion to her family shines through all of her actions.

Even though her relationship with J.J. isn't strong, she's committed to keeping her family out of poverty and ensuring they have a bright future. Thelma finds love with Keith Anderson, and the pair welcome their first child soon after. Thelma asks Florida to live with her and help care for the child. The mother-daughter relationship has some hurdles, but by the end of the series, they have the strongest bond of all.

James "J.J." Evans Jr. (Jimmie Walker)

Florida and James' son, Thelma and Michael's brother

Like Thelma, J.J. has aspirations of helping his family out of poverty, but he is forced to look after his younger siblings throughout the series, which causes a rift between them. One of his biggest desires is to become an artist, with art emerging as the only class he isn't failing at school. Instead of household chores, J.J. believes his talents are better used by trying to sweet-talk the ladies. J.J.'s arc in Good Times concludes with the series finale when he moves in with two female friends.

Reggie Evans (J.B. Smoove)

Beverly's husband, Junior, Grey, and Dalvin's father, James and Florida's grandson

Reggie Evans is the patriarch of the Netflix animated reboot of Good Times and works as a taxi driver in Chicago. His link to the original series is that he's the grandson of James Evans and has similar aspirations of keeping his family looked after, even though it proves difficult in a changed world. While fiercely protective of all his children, he keeps an especially close eye on his daughter, Grey Evans. His relationship with his wife, Beverly, is vital as they form a united front to look after their children.

Beverly Evans (Yvette Nicole Brown)

Reggie's wife, Junior, Grey, and Dalvin's mother

Beverly is the matriarch of the Evans family in the new Good Times. Like her husband, Reggie, she devotes her time to ensuring her kids are looked after and have the best possible chance at life. Beverly is an unapologetic mother who will move mountains for her children and believes that the only way they will thrive is by seeing a solid dynamic between her and Reggie. However, she also understands that some of her children need more care, such as Dalvin, who tests her patience every episode.

Junior Evans (Jay Pharoah)

Reggie and Beverly's son, Grey and Dalvin's brother, James and Florida's great-grandson

Junior shows a lack of interest in academics from the jump in the new Good Times because he wants to become an artist, giving him a similar arc to J.J. from the original series. The big issue plaguing Junior at the beginning of the reboot is that he's repeating the 10th grade for a third time. While that would be taxing on most kids, Junior has a sunny exterior that allows him to see the good in things, and he continues to be a cheerful person despite the hurdles in his life.

Grey Evans (Marsai Martin)

Reggie and Beverly's daughter, Junior and Dalvin's sister, James and Florida's great-granddaughter

Grey's aim throughout the first season of the Good Times reboot is to uplift her community, with many of her storylines involving activism and defending Black rights. Politically conscious, smart, and assertive, Grey combines the best traits of her parents and has some similarities to Michael from the original Good Times. Despite feeling like her father, Reggie, is overbearing, Grey appreciates the support he gives her, even if he doesn't allow her near any boys. Grey also has a strong bond with Beverly, but it's not quite as strong as her one with Reggie.

Dalvin Evans (Slink Johnson)

Reggie and Beverly's son, Junior and Grey's brother, James and Florida's great-grandson

Dalvin is very different from his parents and siblings. He's a drug-dealing infant, which earns him Beverly and Reggie's ire. Dalvin's storylines typically involve being out in the streets with gangs and getting involved in brutal battles. His parents deeply love him, but it isn't reciprocated. Dalvin tries to steer clear of his parents and siblings because he's far more concerned about who owes him money and who should be on his radar to take down next. Dalvin has the least in common with the original Good Times characters.

All 10 episodes of Good Times are available to stream on Netflix.