Daniel Ezra To Exit ‘All American’ As Series Regular Following Season 6
All American Troy Harvey/The CW
SPOILER ALERT! This post contains some details from Monday night’s episode of All American.
Spencer James’ story is coming to an end on The CW’s All American.
Daniel Ezra, who has played the character for the past six years, will not return as a series regular for Season 7, Deadline has confirmed. He is expected to make guest appearances.
Monday’s episode, titled “Victory Lap” finally sees Spencer drafted into the NFL after a heartbreaking Draft Day where he wasn’t selected in the first round. The episode concludes with a time jump, where audiences watch Spencer in action at the Super Bowl before proposing to Olivia (Samantha Logan).
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The final two episodes of Season 6 — which was expanded in April — will focus on Spencer and Olivia as they plan their wedding.
Deadline understands this was a creative decision made by Ezra and showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll before embarking on Season 6. It was not a result of a budget trim, which had been rumored for the seventh season. With Ezra departing, it opens the door for some further casting changes, which would likely include some newer next-generation characters taking the reins, as Deadline previously reported.
“After making the difficult decision to leave All American, my sole focus became completing the journey of the most life-affirming character I’ve ever played in the manner he deserves. Thanks to Nkechi and the writers, I got my wish. Season six is ‘Spencer’s goodbye.’ I’ll miss him. I’ll miss our cast and crew. I hope it’s been as fun to watch him as it has been to play him,” Ezra said in a statement to Deadline.
Ezra has led the cast since Season 1 as audiences followed Spencer through the trials and tribulations along his path to the NFL. The actor has also stepped behind the camera in recent seasons, directing multiple episodes including its milestone 100th, which aired in May.
In a statement, Okoro Carroll said, “Partnering with Daniel Ezra over the last six seasons to bring Spencer’s story to life has been such an amazing, fulfilling, experience. Daniel truly is a gift and brought so much to the character on and off the field. And while Spencer has achieved his NFL dreams, I’m grateful Daniel will still remain an important part of this family, both in front of and behind the camera as we step into a new, exciting chapter of All American.”
Okoro Carroll serves as showrunner of All American, which is produced by Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Studios. She also executive producers alongside Greg Berlanti, Jameal Turner, Sarah Schechter, Mike Herro and David Strauss.