There are some shakeups happening in theAll Americanuniverse.
As the show is making this transition, showrunnerNkechi Okoro Carrollrecognizes you dont want to do a clean sweep.
Meanwhile,All American: Homecomingis ending after its current 13-episode Season 3.
All AmericanBill Inoshita/The CW
Despite the premature cancellation, surprisingly, its still the third installment that Carroll had always planned for.
NKECHI OKORO CARROLL:Well, the wedding was never going to be part of Season 6.
So originally, the thought process was, Okay, we get Spencer to the NFL.
Well get the engagement, that would be enough of a completion of the story.
But even as we were approaching that, it just didnt feel complete.
Literally, it was like, I need Spelivias wedding weekend.
DEADLINE: We all need it!
CARROLL:I think I said it exactly like that.
I called Greg [Berlanti].
He was like, Done.
So everyone buckled down and figured out how to get us those two extra episodes for the season.
CARROLL:I am obsessed with YA shows, in case anyone doesnt know that.
I have watched them my whole life, still watch them today.
Shout out toThe Summer I Turned Pretty.I cannot wait for the next season.
So all of those shows have always been an inspiration.
The originalBeverly Hills 90210,Degrassi,Sweet Valley High.
All of them are always an inspiration to me in my work.
What is the heart of that story?
What are the themes?
What is the messaging?
What has been so successful on this show?
How do we continue to capture that in future seasons?
The heart of it always came back to the YA of it all.
How do they reach that dream?
Spencer reached his dream.
Olivia is a successful, best-selling author.
Shes reached her dream.
Layla has an incredible music producing career and has expanded into live entertainment.
She reached her dream.
Coop making it to law school.
Talk about a dream she didnt even realize she had until a pivot.
Theres so much story to tell.
So that is absolutely going to continue to be part of the show as well.
How do you surpass those to still get the joy and get the dream?
That is at the heart ofAll American.
DEADLINE: So are we going to get Coach Jordan Baker in action?
DEADLINE: So how did you figure out that next phase of life for these characters?
How do you plan out where theyre going now that their initial dreams are achieved?
CARROLL:Well, I mean, thats all of us, right?
I love my job at the Fed, but I also love writing for theater and producing those plays…
I used to call that, my quarter-life crisis, because it was such a shift.
Youre an adult now, but youve still got a foot in your youth.
So were excited to tap into that as well.
CARROLL:I have that conversation with all the cast all the time.
So much of everyones journey on this show has been a product of their trust in me.
I think those conversations are what breed a really family oriented, positive, beautiful work environment.
Im almost always also interested in the actors in terms of, What do you want to do next?
When I find people I love working with, good luck trying to get away from me.
Im like, No, no, well just do your next project together.
So Im sure all of that will eventually come out soon, but Im excited for all of this.
So, switching gears, I have a fewHomecomingquestions.
First of all, Simone chose Damon?
CARROLL:Listen, I have never had so many arguments in my writers room.
There were two camps in our room.
DEADLINE: So how did you decide?
CARROLL:We were very divided.
We went with what I wanted.
But it was hilarious to me.
Im like, This is what you want.
I still fight over whether its Team Dylan or Team Brandon.
But yes, in my mind, I always knew she was gonna pick Damon.
DEADLINE: How much did you change the season once the decision had been made to cancel the show?
CARROLL:I think I lifted one line.
This actually feels incredibly satisfying the way it is.
I was in post on the finale, and I went back in and lifted one line.
Once I lifted that line, it did.
