‘All American’ Is Thriving While Other Black-Led Shows Are Getting the Axe—Here’s Why It Still Matters
In an era where Hollywood is slashing Black-led TV shows left and right, All American stands as a rare success story—both on and off screen.
In May 2024, the beloved young adult sports drama celebrated a major milestone: 100 episodes. That’s a feat few shows reach in today’s ruthless TV landscape. Over the past year, fans have had to say goodbye to How to Die Alone, Unprisoned, All American: Homecoming, Black Cake, and more—series canceled before their time. Yet, All American continues to defy the odds.
Since its debut on The CW in October 2018, audiences have followed high school football star Spencer James (Daniel Ezra) as he navigates life between Crenshaw and Beverly Hills. Over six seasons, the show has tackled real-world issues—gun violence, racism, mental health, and family dynamics—wrapped in just the right amount of soapy teen drama.
Fans have grown up with the All American crew—Spencer, Coop (Bre-Z), Layla Keating (Greta Onieogou), and the Baker twins, Jordan (Michael Evans Behling) and Olivia (Samantha Logan). The key to the show’s longevity? Co-showrunner Jamie Turner believes it’s all about hope.
“I am a mother of two Black teen boys,” added showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll. “Jamie has a young, amazing daughter. This is bigger than just entertainment—it’s about making sure our kids know their lives are worthy of being a story.”
A New Chapter for All American
As All American enters its seventh season, fans are adjusting to big changes. Ezra and Logan have stepped back as series regulars, but Carroll saw this as an opportunity rather than a setback. Season 7 brings the story back to its roots—Crenshaw and Beverly Hills High—introducing a fresh lineup of characters.
Among them is KJ (Nathaniel McIntyre), the new quarterback at Beverly and the son of Coach Cassius (Osy Ikhile). McIntyre landed the role after an intense audition process, impressing Carroll despite having less than 24 hours to prepare.
“I immediately saw the connections to other characters and the places I could go,” she shared. “That’s when you know you have your person.”
Other new faces include Antonio Bell as Khalil, Crenshaw’s newest troublemaker with a layered backstory, and Alexis Chikaeze as Amina, who has grown from Preach’s young daughter into a young woman navigating complex family struggles—and a budding love triangle.
Bell appreciates how the show brings out new sides of its characters:
“We see Khalil begin to find himself throughout the year,” Bell said. “One thing I love about this show is it’s a family. It’s a community of beautiful artists telling wonderful stories.”
Chikaeze echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the responsibility that comes with stepping into an already-beloved series:
“You see how All American has impacted countless lives, and you don’t want to let anyone down… Seeing the cast be their absolute best pushes you to pour everything into these characters.”
Returning Favorites and Unfinished Business
While All American ushers in a new era, longtime fans won’t have to say goodbye to their favorites just yet. Several core cast members—including Behling, Onieogou, and Bre-Z—are sticking around, with others set to make special appearances.
Coop is chasing her law degree, Jordan and Layla are navigating their first year of marriage, and Jordan is stepping into his late father Billy Baker’s (Taye Diggs) coaching legacy. Meanwhile, Layla is figuring out what’s next after achieving major success at a young age.
“This idea of either having accomplished too much too soon or not having accomplished things soon enough is something that a lot of people go through,” Onieogou shared. “Whenever you see a story you relate to, it makes you feel less alone.”
Why All American Still Matters
Reaching a seventh season is a rare achievement, especially for a show with a predominantly Black cast. But All American isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving.
“Being able to be a part of something that continually inspires folks is a beautiful opportunity,” Behling said.
As Hollywood continues to cut shows centering Black stories, All American remains a beacon of hope—both in its storytelling and its representation. And as long as there are new characters to root for and old favorites to revisit, the show’s legacy is far from over.
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