Major Changes in All American Season 7
All American, a long-standing sports drama series, is set to undergo significant changes in its upcoming seventh season. Despite being the last original scripted series to receive a renewal amidst the network’s shift towards acquired programming and sports like WWE NXT, the show will see a major shake-up in its cast lineup. This comes after the cancellation of other series like Walker and the spinoff All American: Homecoming.
Departure of Original Cast Members
TVLine has reported that five original cast members will not be returning for All American Season 7 as series regulars. Samantha Logan, Cody Christian, Karimah Westbrook, Monét Mazur, and Chelsea Tavares are stepping down from their roles, meaning that characters such as Olivia, Asher, Grace James, Laura, and Patience will not appear regularly. However, Daniel Ezra, who portrays Spencer James and exited during season 6, will return as a guest star. Meanwhile, Michael Evans Behling, Greta Onieogou, and Bre-Z will continue as regular cast members, reprising their roles as Logan, Layla, and Coop, respectively.
New Faces and Promotions
Season 7 will introduce new characters and promote existing ones. Osy Ikhile, known for his role in Citadel, is joining as Cassius Jeremy, Beverly High’s new football coach with a mission to challenge South Crenshaw High’s program. Nathaniel McIntyre, from David Makes Man, will play Coach Jeremy’s son, KJ. Additionally, Antonio J. Bell and Alexis Chikaeze, who played Khalil and Amina in season 6, have been promoted to series regulars.
Implications for All American Season 7
The Show Is Evolving
The changes in the cast align with the narrative developments seen in the All American season 6 finale, which aired in July. During this episode, Spencer’s exit was marked by his marriage to Olivia and their subsequent relocation to New York. Laura’s character arc concluded as she handed her home over to Jordan and Layla, completing her journey since her husband Billy Baker’s passing. Patience was also setting off on a new career path as a performer. The new season is slated to premiere in 2025 and will consist of 13 episodes.
The departures are a strategic move to ensure the show’s sustainability amidst financial constraints. Reports about the show’s renewal highlighted that Warner Bros. TV and The CW had to negotiate a reduced budget. While it’s not explicitly confirmed that the cast changes are budget-driven, it’s a known strategy in the industry to facilitate renewals.
Our Take on the All American Cast Changes
Familiar Faces Will Still Be Around
The forthcoming season will return to its roots, focusing on Beverly Hills High and South Crenshaw High. Whether these changes are budgetary or narrative-driven, there is speculation that Season 7 will pivot towards a new generation of characters.
“All American is taking it back to where it all began: Beverly Hills High and South Crenshaw High. It’s the same heart, same NFL dream, same crosstown rivalry, same messy hormones, ushered in by a new generation of L.A. teens, a new Beverly coach and our OG Vortex fam, who are surprised to find they’re supposed to be the responsible adults now.”
The series, inspired by the life of real-life football player Spencer Paysinger, has garnered a loyal fanbase partly due to its consistent All American cast. While altering the lineup poses a risk, it could potentially prolong the show’s lifespan and open doors for future spinoffs that might feature some of the original cast. The success of these changes will hinge on how executive producer Nkechi Okoro Carroll and the show’s writers balance past elements with new developments.
Source: TVLine
All American
- Drama
- Sports
This sports drama, inspired by the real-life journey of football player Spencer Paysinger, follows a high school student from south L.A. when he is recruited to play for Beverly Hills High.
