Tyler Perry's House of Payne is one of the longest-running American family sitcoms still on the books: a loud, faith-soaked Atlanta household where three generations share one roof, one kitchen and very little privacy. Cranky patriarch Curtis Payne and his wife Ella take in nephew C.J. and his kids after disaster hits C.J.'s own home, while their son Calvin keeps the chaos going. Add Malik (Doc Shaw) and later Miranda (Keshia Knight Pulliam), and you have the Payne formula.
This season guide follows the numbering on our show pages (TVmaze): 14 seasons, from the TBS launch in 2007 through the BET revival. Episode counts match those pages. A short 2006 syndication test run came first; the catalog here starts with the national cable premiere.
House of Payne seasons at a glance
| Season | Aired | Episodes | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 2007 | 37 | TBS |
| Season 2 | 2007–08 | 22 | TBS |
| Season 3 | 2008 | 16 | TBS |
| Season 4 | 2008 | 25 | TBS |
| Season 5 | 2008–09 | 26 | TBS |
| Season 6 | 2009–11 | 46 | TBS |
| Season 7 | 2011 | 20 | TBS |
| Season 8 | 2011–12 | 62 | TBS |
| Season 9 | 2020–21 | 25 | BET |
| Season 10 | 2021–22 | 22 | BET |
| Season 11 | 2022 | 22 | BET |
| Season 12 | 2023 | 22 | BET |
| Season 13 | 2024–25 | 22 | BET |
| Season 14 | 2025–26 | 22 | BET |
That is 389 episodes across the 14 seasons listed above, plus the 2006 syndication tryout Wikipedia counts separately. By March 2026 the series had crossed the 400-episode mark in press tallies that include that early run.
How the House of Payne era unfolds
Seasons 1–4 (2007–2008): the TBS launch
Season 1 opens June 6, 2007, with "Bully and the Beast". The early seasons establish the living arrangement: Curtis as fire-chief uncle and reluctant landlord, Ella as the household's moral center, C.J. rebuilding after Janine's addiction crisis, and Calvin as the wise-cracking college kid underfoot. Seasons 2–4 keep the multi-camera rhythm going at a fast clip — short gaps between blocks of episodes — while Miranda joins the regular cast and the Payne extended family becomes a weekly appointment on TBS.
Seasons 5–8 (2008–2012): the long original run
From Season 5 through the marathon Season 8 (62 episodes), House of Payne became a volume play: more episodes than any other predominantly Black American sitcom by the time the original run ended. Cast schedules shifted — Doc Shaw and China Anne McClain appeared less often as their Disney work ramped up — but Curtis, Ella, C.J. and Calvin stayed the spine. The original series closed on August 10, 2012, with the two-part send-off "The Call Back" and "All's Well".
Seasons 9–14 (2020–2026): the BET revival
After a spin-off detour (The Paynes on OWN) and an eight-year gap, BET brought the family back. Season 9 premiered September 2, 2020, with "A Wise Man's Opinion". The revival keeps LaVan and Cassi Davis at the center while the next generation deals with marriage, divorce, kids of their own and Curtis's post-retirement schemes. Seasons 10–14 each run about 22 episodes; Season 14 opened April 30, 2025, with "House of Realization" and closed March 4, 2026, with "The Stages of Love". The show is still listed as current.
Suggested starting points
- New to the Paynes? Start with Season 1, then skim ahead to Season 4 once you know the house rules.
- Here for the revival? Jump to Season 9 on BET; the premiere catches you up without requiring all 254 original-run episodes.
- Want more Tyler Perry family TV? Browse Meet the Browns, which shares the same Atlanta sitcom universe and guest crossovers.
- In a cast-now mood? Doc Shaw also turns up in our Everybody Hates Chris cast guide.
House of Payne FAQ
How many seasons of House of Payne are there?
Fourteen seasons on our show page, counting the TBS years as Seasons 1–8 and the BET revival as Seasons 9–14. Encyclopedias sometimes renumber the revival as a new Season 7.
When did House of Payne premiere?
Nationally on TBS on June 6, 2007. A limited syndication test aired in June–July 2006 before that cable pickup.
Is House of Payne still on?
Yes. Season 14 aired on BET into March 2026, and the series remains listed as running.
Who created House of Payne?
Tyler Perry created and executive-produces the series; he also directed the early seasons and has appeared as Madea in guest spots.