All American: Homecoming is an American sports drama television series, spin-off of All American, created by Nkechi Okoro Carroll which premiered on The CW on February 21, 2022 and features an ensemble cast starring Geffri Maya in the lead role as well as Peyton Alex Smith, Kelly Jenrette, Cory Hardrict, Sylvester Powell, Camille Hyde, Mitchell Edwards, Netta Walker, Rhoyle Ivy King and Martin Bobb-Semple.
The series is set on the backdrop of the HBCU experience and follows a group of young adults as they navigate their college years.
In June 2024, the series was canceled ahead of its third season premiere and concluded on September 30, 2024, after 41 episodes spanning three seasons.
Contents
Plot
In this All American spin-off, Simone Hicks leaves behind her boyfriend Jordan in Los Angeles and attends Bringston University, a historically Black college in Atlanta where she decides to pursue her dreams of being a pro tennis player. Also attending the school is Damon Sims, a fellow freshman who is navigating the college scene to pursue his dream of playing baseball for the university after rejecting an MLB draft to continue to play baseball for Bringston under the guidance of his coach, Marcus Turner. Also included is Amara Patterson, Simone's aunt, who teaches journalism at Bringston.
Cast and characters
Main
Geffri Maya as Simone Hicks
Peyton Alex Smith as Damon Sims (seasons 1–2; guest season 3), a talented baseball player who decides to enroll at Bringston University and play for its team instead of going pro right after graduating from high school
Kelly Jenrette as Amara Patterson (seasons 1–2; recurring season 3), current executive president at Bringston University where she was formerly a journalism professor
Cory Hardrict as Coach Marcus Turner, the baseball head coach of Bringston University at the beginning of the series who once was a professional player before having to retire
Sylvester Powell as Jessie "JR" Raymond, Damon's long-time friend and biological brother
Camille Hyde as Thea Mays, a talented tennis player and the captain of Bringston's tennis team
Mitchell Edwards as Cameron "Cam" Watkins, a student at Bringston University where he serves as executive president's office secretary
Netta Walker as Keisha McCalla, a student at Bringston University and daughter of its former president who becomes friends with Simone
Rhoyle Ivy King as Nathaniel "Nate" Hardin (seasons 2–3; recurring season 1), Simone and Keisha's non-binary, gender-fluid friend
Martin Bobb-Semple as Orlando "Lando" Johnson (season 3; recurring season 2; guest season 1), a talented baseball player who transfers to Bringston University and becomes Damon's rival
Recurring
John Marshall Jones as Leonard Shaw (seasons 1–2), the former baseball head coach at Bringston University
Tamberla Perry as Keena Sims (season 1), Damon’s adoptive mother
Leonard Roberts as Zeke Allen (seasons 1–2), Keisha's father and former executive president at Bringston University
Derek Rivera as Santiago Reyes, a student at Bringston University and player of its baseball team
Sabrina Revelle as Coach Elaine Loni, Bringston University's tennis head coach
Robert Bailey Jr. as Ralph Wells (seasons 1–2), a Bringston University alum
Iyana Halley as Wilinda (seasons 1–2), a student at Bringston University who helps Nate with their campaign during the run for president of the Student Council
Joe Holt as Jessie, JR's father and Damon's biological father
Crystal Lee Brown as Celine (seasons 1–2), JR's mother and Damon's biological mother
Shelli Boone as Tina Hicks, Simone's mother
Heather Lynn Harris as Gabrielle, an engineering student at Bringston University who becomes JR's girlfriend
Renee Harrison as Aqueelah (seasons 1–2), a student at Bringston University and member of the PKZ sorority
Jamad Mays as Rome (season 2), a Brinston University alum
Special guest stars
Michael Evans Behling as Jordan Baker (seasons 1–2)
Daniel Ezra as Spencer James (season 2)
Reggie Bush as himself (season 2)
Notable guest stars
Greta Onieogou as Layla Keating (season 2)
Coco Gauff as herself (season 2)
Episodes
Production
Development
On December 18, 2020, it was announced that a backdoor pilot for an All American spin-off centered on the character Simone Hicks was in early development at The CW, with Geffri Maya, who portrayed Simone, reprising her role. On February 1, 2021, The CW gave the spin-off a pilot order and titled it as All American: Homecoming. On May 24, 2021, All American: Homecoming was picked up to series with Nkechi Okoro Carroll serving both as creator and executive producer, the latter alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, David Madden, and Robbie Rogers. The production companies involved with the series are Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television. The backdoor pilot, written by Carroll and directed by Michael Schultz, aired on July 5, 2021 as part of the third season of All American. On May 12, 2022, The CW renewed the series for a second season. On June 12, 2023, The CW renewed the series for a third season after reaching an agreement with Warner Bros. Television to reduce its budget. On February 15, 2024, Brad Schwartz, The CW President of Entertainment, stated that the third season would consist of 13 episodes. On June 5, 2024, The CW canceled the series after three seasons, with Deadline Hollywood reporting that demands by The CW for lower licensing fees, low number of overall viewers and Warner Bros. TV's deal with Netflix for the show not including funding for a fourth season, proved as impediments in its renewal.
Casting
On March 29, 2021, it was reported that Peyton Alex Smith, Cory Hardrict, Kelly Jenrette, Sylvester Powell, Netta Walker and Camille Hyde were cast to star in the series. On December 16, 2021, it was announced that Mitchell Edwards, who portrayed recurring character Cam Watkins on All American, was set to reprise his role in the spin-off as a series regular, while Rhoyle Ivy King was cast in a recurring capacity. On January 28, 2022, it was reported that Tamberla Perry had joined the cast in a recurring role. On June 21, 2022, Rhoyle Ivy King was promoted to series regular for the second season. On July 6, 2023, it was announced that Peyton Alex Smith and Kelly Jenrette had been cut as series regulars ahead of the third season as part of budget cuts, with Jenrette being demoted to recurring status. On February 14, 2024, it was announced that Martin Bobb-Semple had been promoted to series regular for the third season. On June 24, 2024, it was reported that Cameron Elie had joined the cast in a recurring capacity for the third season.
Release
Broadcast
All American: Homecoming premiered on The CW on February 21, 2022. The second season premiered on October 10, 2022. The third and final season premiered on July 8, 2024.
Streaming
The first season of All American: Homecoming was added to Netflix in the United States on July 12, 2022. The second season is available to stream on Netflix starting on April 11, 2023. The third and final season is available to stream on Netflix starting on October 15, 2024.
