The Jeffersons (2025) is a bold and timely revival of the classic sitcom that originally aired from 1975 to 1985. This modern continuation honors the original’s legacy of sharp social commentary and groundbreaking Black representation, while updating its themes for a 21st-century audience.
Set in contemporary New York City, the story follows the next generation of the Jefferson family, with the focus on Marla Jefferson, the ambitious, no-nonsense daughter of George and Louise “Weezy” Jefferson. Marla is now running Jefferson Cleaners as a luxury eco-friendly brand, having expanded the family business into a national chain with political clout, influencer backing, and a few corporate enemies. She’s inherited her father’s hustle and sharp tongue, and her mother’s resilience — but she’s facing a whole new world of cultural battles.
Now living in a gentrified Upper East Side penthouse, Marla and her extended family navigate a city transformed by tech, activism, race relations, and economic shifts. Alongside her are:
- Tariq Jefferson, her socially conscious son who clashes with the family’s wealth and wants to launch a nonprofit.
- Ruben, her white husband — a tech CEO-turned-high school teacher, who’s often the target of Marla’s loving but cutting humor (echoing George’s barbs in the original).
- Florence 2.0, a sharp-tongued granddaughter of the original maid Florence, now working as Marla’s executive assistant and throwing just as much shade.
- Tom and Jenny’s daughter, a biracial neighbor who bridges the cultural gap between the new and old residents of the building.
Each episode brings a blend of comedy, satire, and emotional depth, tackling modern issues like cancel culture, wealth inequality, intergenerational identity struggles, gentrification, and systemic racism — all with the Jeffersons’ trademark sass and swagger. The show balances topical punchlines with heartfelt moments that reflect on the original characters’ journeys.
There are frequent nods to George and Weezy, including archival footage, family portraits, and flashback scenes, and an emotional tribute episode that reunites surviving cast members and guest stars from the original.
The 2025 version of The Jeffersons doesn’t just move on up — it reclaims space in the cultural conversation, reminding audiences that the fight for dignity, equity, and respect is still as urgent (and as funny) as ever.
With a killer theme song remix (“Movin’ On Up 2.0”) and a cast blending veteran actors with rising stars, The Jeffersons (2025) is a sharp, vibrant continuation of a TV legacy — proof that classic voices can still lead modern change.