You Won’t Believe Who’s Returning to All American This Season!

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When ‘All American‘ came back for its seventh season on January 29, it might seem a bit changed, but it doesn’t feel that way. This was the intention of creator and executive producer Nkechi Okoro Carroll, who decided to make significant changes to keep things fresh.

In a conversation with Daniel Ezra, we discussed our thoughts on how Spencer’s story might end and what that conclusion would resemble. As we entered Season 6, I was aware that this was going to be Spencer’s last season. At that point, I began to ponder if the show should conclude then. However, I soon realized there were numerous compelling stories left untold, characters whose journeys I still wanted to explore, and a transition from young adulthood to full adulthood for some of our original characters,” Carroll shared with EbMaster.

Later, she popped into Starbucks to grab a cup of coffee, but what was unusual was that the barista remembered her by name, an occurrence that seldom takes place. Surprisingly, he inquired if she was the renowned showrunner from “All American”. This query left her in tears.

Or:

She made a quick trip to Starbucks for coffee and the barista, who didn’t usually remember regulars by name, recognized her and asked if she was the famous “All American” showrunner. Hearing this question caused her to cry.

Carroll shares that the show significantly impacted her life, revealing that personal family issues led her to leave college without completing her degree. She felt her aspirations weren’t valuable at the time. However, ‘All American’ inspired her to return to education,” Carroll explains.

They both wept and embraced, and then the woman shared that she hopes the performance will continue to air when her younger sibling grows up. This way, he can witness a similar show, where his aspirations seem valuable and he feels seen and represented.

From that point on, Carroll experienced a “total collapse,” realizing she needed to advance with a more “All-American” approach – one that would reconnect with its original origins.

She reflects on that moment as firmly reinforcing her determination to continue the series, shifting it back to a high school setting with a fresh group of Beverly and Crenshaw students who shared similar aspirations and emotions. A new rivalry would emerge, she envisioned, while keeping the dream alive for future generations. She communicated this idea to the studio and network, leading to the addition of two more episodes in Season 6, which allowed the characters’ journey to be fully concluded and provided an opportunity for her to lay the groundwork for that world’s development.

Although Ezra, Samantha Logan (Olivia), Cody Christian (Asher), Karimah Westbrook (Grace James), Monét Mazur (Laura Baker) and Chelsea Tavares (Patience) left the show at the end of Season 6 as regular cast members, it doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t return in future seasons.

Below, Carroll outlines the upcoming character developments and plot twists, and subtly suggests potential appearances of familiar faces in the future.

Did you ever consider making this another spinoff of “All American,” since there are so many new cast members?

We chose to maintain an “All-American” feel because the core and soul of our series revolves around chasing the seemingly unattainable dream and overcoming challenges to achieve it. A significant number of our actors have experienced this in their own lives, having grown beyond their youth. This is a Young Adult show with strong family themes, which I’m incredibly proud of, and it’s heartening to see different generations enjoying it together. However, I didn’t want to stray too far from the essence of our story.

Let’s get into some of these new characters. The father-son dynamics have always been so strong in this show. What is the relationship like between Coach (Osy Ikhile) and KJ (Nathaniel McIntyre)?

They serve as our fresh connections to Beverly. KJ harbors significant aspirations for D1 level sports, and transitioning from a championship-winning squad to something like this has been somewhat of a shock for him, mainly because he and his father have always enjoyed a close bond. This change feels a little discordant for him, as it’s the first time he feels there’s a slight disconnect between them. They come to understand that perhaps the expectations placed on the Beverly team might have been underestimated, and they both have something to prove. Dethroning Crenshaw as the top team in the state is one of their primary goals.

KJ also quickly connects with Amina (Alexis Chikaeze), who also has a longtime friendship-maybe-more with Khalil (Antonio J. Bell). What’s that dynamic like?

I particularly enjoy the story arcs in YA series like “All American,” as they delve deep into the complexities of adolescence rather than merely focusing on romance. Amina’s narrative, for instance, is captivating as she navigates a love triangle with Khalil and KJ. Yet, her character is multifaceted; we also learn about her mother’s past, specifically the tragic event involving Mo, who was shot by Preach while saving Coop’s life. At 16, Amina is at an age where she seeks guidance from her mother as she transitions into womanhood. Although Coop and Preach play significant roles in her life, the void left by her missing mother is palpable. She has grown past the age when simple explanations suffice, and now, on the brink of adulthood, she yearns for genuine answers about her mother’s absence.

Where does Khalil fit into the story?

Khalil is our associate from a questionable group, often perceived as a troublemaker, but until now, he hasn’t had an opportunity to prove himself. That is, until Jordan entered the scene. Unlike others, Jordan doesn’t base their opinion on his past, but rather sees the promise of what he could become in the future and is eager to support and guide him.

How does Jordan factor in there?

Jordan seems to carry many traits of Billy Baker, a connection Jordan didn’t fully grasp until he witnessed it firsthand. At one point, Grandpa Willie remarks, “You’re remarkably like your father, and it fills me with pride to see his spirit live through you.” Interestingly, this resemblance wasn’t something Jordan was consciously striving for. It’s a natural expression of his kind-heartedness and desire to assist a young man who hasn’t had many opportunities in life. He sees potential in him that resonates deeply.

At the end of last season, Jordan found out he has a long-lost uncle. Will that story come back this season?

Jordan has an insatiable curiosity when it comes to solving mysteries, yet he struggles immensely with investigating them. This contradiction was too intriguing to ignore, especially since we know there’s an unknown uncle somewhere who shares a familial bond with his father. The thought of this mysterious figure is something Jordan can’t let go, sparking his quest for answers which, at times, causes a mix of comedic and dramatic upheaval as he navigates his search. Despite the vibrant and entertaining nature of this journey, it often stems from deep emotions such as missing his father and yearning to connect with an extension of Billy, whether or not that person wishes to be found.

Lauryn Hardy has joined the cast as Tori, a competitive cheerleader at Beverly. Will the show dive into more cheerleading this season?

Indeed. Lauryn is truly excelling as Tori, serving as our primary female character alongside Beverly, and she’s someone who quickly captures KJ’s attention in a recurring role. Cheerleading, being a unique sport in itself, offers an intriguing psychological perspective that I was eager to delve into through Tori’s character, as well as the friendship between Tori and KJ, both of whom are high-level competitive athletes. Currently, competitive cheerleading is garnering more interest than Beverly football has in recent years, which is a challenge these characters must face.

We know Daniel Ezra is coming back to direct and guest star, and Samantha Logan will be back. Can we expect any other members of the vortex to pop up throughout the season?

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of continuity this season. You see, Olivia wasn’t merely an absent twin sister; she was my dearest friend too. And guess who made a comeback? Sam did, more than once! It seems that almost every character from the vortex found their way back into our lives, in one form or another, this season, and it’s been nothing short of exhilarating for us viewers.

The original cast has been incredibly supportive of our new faces, creating a beautiful extension to their narrative. They’re stepping into roles they never thought they’d have – big brother, auntie, uncle… sometimes reluctantly. Daniel Ezra, sitting right here next to me, is directing and guest-starring. Da’Vinchi, the talented actor behind Darnell, has returned because, after all, they’re the success stories who never forgot their humble beginnings.

Chelsea Tavares graced our screens as Patience a couple of times, Monet Mazur, or Laura Baker, made an appearance too, and Karima Westbrook, our beloved Grace James, even came in to direct. It’s as if we’ve welcomed new family members into our fold. It wasn’t about replacing anyone; instead, we’ve grown the family.

This conversation was shortened and simplified for clarity. “All American” airs again on The CW on Monday, February 10th, starting at 8:00 PM Eastern Time.

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2025-01-30 05:17