Summary
Even though The CW gaveAll Americanseason 7 the greenlight,several reports predict that the upcoming episodes will feature a new cast,but there is a world where some of the original characters could return. The sports drama series, created by April Blair and produced by Nkechi Okoro Carroll (the showrunner), premiered in October 2018 and hasconsistently been one of the CW’s most successful shows, both critically and commercially, which was partly due to its later rise in popularity on Netflix. While the network has canceled most of its original series in recent years,All Americanhas survived.
The CW canceled theAll AmericanspinoffAll American: Homecoming,revolving around Geffri Maya’s Simone Hicks, in June 2024 after three seasons.
The sports drama is one of the few shows that have endured the CW’s significant changes after the Nextar Media Group purchased the network and canceled most of its scripted series. However, its time might be running out asAll Americannears its season 6 finale. Many stories are seemingly coming to a close, with season 6’s ending likely wrapping up many character arcs. Only time will tell ifAll Americanseason 7’s rumored casting planis true or if the upcoming episodes will include some familiar faces. Whatever the case,All Americanmust retain at least a few original cast members.
8Daniel Ezra
Spencer James
Yes, the CW announced in June 2024 thatAll Americanoriginal cast member Daniel Ezra wouldn’t return in season 7as a series regular. However, that doesn’t mean that Ezra, who has played Spencer James since season 1, can’t appear in some capacity.Ezra could easily reprise his role and make a guest appearancein one episode or two. After all, Spencer’s role in the sports drama is too significant for him not to have any presence on the show. Ezra played a big part inAll American’s success, and it just won’t be the same without him.
Perhaps Spencer will return to Crenshaw or Beverly Hills to give the next generation of football players one last inspiring pep talk.
FollowingAll American’s 100th episodeand the 10-month flash forward in season 6’s antepenultimate hour, Spencer’s future is brighter than ever. The New York Bobcats (a fictional NFL team) drafted Spencer, and during his first season with them, Spencer scored the winning touchdown at the Super Bowl, giving the Bobcats their first championship title.Spencer was also named the Super Bowl MVP,a tremendous feat as a rookie.
To make matters even more exciting, Spencer proposed to Olivia shortly after, and she said yes. The next two episodes will include Spencer and Olivia planning their wedding, culminating in them saying “I do” at the altar. So, whiletheAll Americanseason 6 finale will likely feature Spencer’s story coming to a satisfying end,Ezra should still reprise his role at least once in season 7 (especially if the CW cancels the show). Perhaps Spencer will return to Crenshaw or Beverly Hills to give the next generation of football players one last inspiring pep talk.
How All American Season 6 Settled On Its Emotional Billy Baker Return Story
All American showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll explains Billy Baker’s (Taye Diggs) return in season 6, and how its emotional development occurred.
7Michael Evans Behling
Jordan Baker
Michael Evans Behling’s Jordan Baker, while frustrating at times, has been one of the most consistent and strongest presences onAll American,and it would be wise to bring him back for season 7.Jordan has undergone major character growthover the years. As he has jumped between relationships and struggled to find his place on the football field and his family, Jordan has come a long way since the pilot episode in 2018. Behling’s character has perhaps grown the most, and his return would make his story come full circle.
If Michael Evans Behling reprises his role as Jordan Baker inAll Americanseason 7, Taye Diggs could also return as Billy Baker and appear to Jordan in a dream or vision to give him some words of encouragement.
While Spencer entered the NFL draft duringAll Americanseason 6, Jordan focused on his upcoming nuptials and college rather than being concerned about getting drafted. Jordan and Layla ultimately went through with their wedding, and Jordan is now a married man. After this significant life change, Jordan could continue playing football for Golden Angeles University (GAU) in the upcoming episodes, or he can help coachthe rumored new cast ofAll Americanseason 7, which would likely contain high school football players.Jordan could follow in his father’s footsteps,which would be the perfect ending to his story.
6Bre-Z
Tamia “Coop” Cooper
Coop, played by Bre-Z, has experienced many ups and downs over the course ofAll American’s run, and it might be best to give her one more season to close out her story. While her best friend and girlfriend are living out their dreams in New York, it would make sense if Coop stayed in Crenshaw and found herself outside Spencer and Patience. Followingthe events ofAll Americanseason 6,Coop will likely continue pursuing a career in law,working with Laura Fine-Baker, and getting into law school. Season 7 could theoretically show that in real-time rather than using a flash-forward as a cop-out.
5Samantha Logan
Olivia Baker
Given that Daniel Ezra won’t be returning as a series regular inAll Americanseason 7, odds are that Samantha Logan as Olivia Baker won’t either, as their two characters will soon be tied together by marriage. Of course, being married doesn’t mean Spencer has to go where Olivia goes, and vice versa. However,their marriage makes it much less likely that Logan will retain her status as a maincast member inAll Americanseason 7.
Olivia will likely be with Spencer in New York as he plays for the New York Bobcats. The city certainly wouldn’t be a bad place for Olivia to live while she continues her writing career. Nevertheless,All Americanseason 7 could still feature an Olivia cameoor two if she returns to her hometown for a brief visit. As mentioned above, if the CW cancelsAll Americanbefore season 7’s end, it would make sense for the series finale to feature special guest appearances by several original series regulars, including Logan as Olivia.
4Greta Onieogou
Layla Keating
Similar to Spencer and Olivia’s situation, if Jordan is sticking around inAll Americanseason 7, so should Layla Baker (née Keating), even if it’s just in a supporting role. Layla will undoubtedly be busy running Layla’s Club, so, it would make sense if her role was reduced in the upcoming episodes. If the writers decide to go down the path of ushering in a new generation of high school football players, with Jordan and Asher as their coaches,Layla’s story could echo that of Laura’s in the early seasons.
Greta Onieogou has been a pleasure to watch as Layla inAll Americanthroughout its six seasons, and it would be a shame to see her story end after the season 6 finale.
Layla would undoubtedly be the provider in her and Jordan’s marriage like Laura was in her family during the early seasons ofAll American.Of course, fans must wait to learn what the season 7 cast will look like or what kind of stories the writers and producers will explore in future episodes. However, Greta Onieogou has been a pleasure to watch asLayla inAll Americanthroughout its six seasons, and it would be a shame to see her story end after the season 6 finale.
3Karimah Westbrook
Grace James
Whenever a TV show revamps its cast, it’s always easier for a network to retain the older stars, especially if it’s in the teen genre, and that’s surely the case forAll American.Karimah Westbrook, who has portrayed Grace James, Spencer’s mother, since season 1, would be the perfect person to remain on the show, even if most of the cast leaves.Grace is the Dean of Student Affairs at South Crenshaw High School,and if the rumored revamp features new characters in high school, Westbrook could easily remain a series regular in the CW sports drama.
Out of alltheAll Americancharacters,Grace returning in season 7 makes the most sense.She has always been one of the show’s wisest figures as she has given Spencer, Dillon, Coop, and many other teen characters sound advice over the seasons. Grace could continue playing this important part in season 7, but she would just be advising a new group of teens.
2Cody Christian
Asher Adams
Cody Christian continuing to playAsher Adams inAll Americanseason 7 would also be understandable. Asher got to experience what it’s like to play college football during the show’s 100th episode, and afterward, he realized he was more than happy being a coach. Consequently, if the future episodes feature a new generation of high school football players at Beverly Hills High School,it wouldn’t make sense if Christian didn’t return as Asher.
Asher stepped away from Coastal California College inAll Americanseason 6 to accept a coaching job at his alma mater. Unless something changes in the season 6 finale,Asher will still be coaching at Beverly Hills High School in season 7.So, the writers wouldn’t have to jump through hoops to explain why Christian is still a part of the cast afterAll Americanseason 6 as he would be leading the new characters. It would actually be harder to come up with an excuse as to why Asher is gone if Christian doesn’t reprise his role.
All American Season 6’s Shocking Character Return Could Finally Pay Off A Massive Season 5 Twist
One former series regular is returning in All American season 6, and their appearance in a future episode can give closure to a season 5 plotline.
1Chelsea Tavares
Patience Robinson
Chelsea Tavares as Patience Robinson hasn’t had as big of a role onAll Americanas some of the other series regulars. However, Patience’s growth as a performer has been one of the show’s more intriguing storylines, and it would be a shame to say goodbye to her for good during the season 6 finale. Of course,Patience is off to New York City to pursue a career on Broadway,making her return in season 7 difficult (but not impossible).
All Americanseason 7 must have some returning characters, and if it doesn’t, the show will likely be headed toward cancelation.
FollowingPatience’s near-death experience inAll Americanand the resolution of that storyline in season 6, Tavares' character is ready to move on. As a result, Tavares likely won’t return as a series regular in season 7, but she could make a special guest appearance.Perhaps Patience returns to Los Angeles to visit Coop for an episode,and they can decide if long distance is worth it. Whatever the case,All Americanseason 7 must have some returning characters, and if it doesn’t, the show will likely be headed toward cancelation.
All American
Cast
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.
