This post contains details from the Season 6 finale of The CWsAll American.
Thats a wrap onDaniel Ezra.
After six seasons playing Spencer James, the actor is departingAll Americanas a series regular.
All AmericanBill Inoshita/The CW
For fans, itll be a moment theyve been eagerly awaiting for the past six seasons.
For Ezra, the end of the season was literally everything I wanted.
I had done what I had set out to do in regards to playing Spencer.
Id always wanted to get him to the NFL.
I realized that, with this upcoming season, we had actually done that.
Ive been playing this character for six years now.
Everything in my gut felt like that.
But again, this was a testament to NK.
She was open to at least just having a conversation and hearing me out.
Hopefully moving forward [it will] takeAll Americaninto a new place as well.
So it just felt right on all fronts.
DEADLINE: So, how did you feel about getting those additional two episodes?
That is really what allowed the story to end on such a satisfying note for Spencer and Olivia.
EZRA:Im not very superstitious.
Every now and then, sometimes things will happen, and Im like, Woah.
The way it ends is literally everything I wanted.
Those last two episodes is just exactly the bang out of bow I wanted to tie on the story.
DEADLINE: What was it like on set during filming for those final episodes?
EZRA:You could feel everyones emotions rising as we were coming closer to it.
Everyone was just trying to stay professional, especially me, because we had a job to do.
So thats probably the thing Im most proud of, is how far weve come.
Having two episodes dedicated to those memories was very emotional.
You have to stay in control.
Any moments where you thought, Woah.
This is really happening.?
I was so grateful for that scene, because that swingset meant so much to this story.
The fact that the writers, amongst all the celebration, gave us this quiet moment.
The same when Spencer is thanking his father figures for everything theyve done.
DEADLINE: Spencer and Olivia have been through a lot.
Olivia even spirals about that in the final episodes, wondering if its an indictment on their relationship.
I wonder, was there ever a moment where you were fatigued by the amount of obstacles they faced?
EZRA:Well, thats just good television.
Good television frustrates you at times.
Its just a testament of good writing.
Thats how you sustain a relationship on TV for six seasons.
You give them obstacles.
I feel like a couple as perfect as Spencer and Olivia, you kind of have to earn that.
You kind of have to put them through the ringer.
It wouldnt feel as earned.
Everybody did, including the fans.
DEADLINE: Well, Coop does say it in her officiant speech.
I think everyone was waiting for this moment.
EZRA:Im just glad we were able to.
That would have been unfair.
Then I would have definitely felt very guilty, because it would have been all work and no payoff.
But this time, at least, Im glad we get to do the payoff.
Its such a beautiful one.
DEADLINE: What were the storylines from the past six seasons that challenged you the most?
EZRA:I think the two storylines following Coreys death and Billys death.
Those are such dark places for him.
As an actor, theres a real gift to build life into those scenes, but they were tough.
They were really challenging.
Thats the most unrecognizable we see Spencer in his anger, in his depression, in his pain.
It was tough to watch.
Those are challenging, but they were also some of the most rewarding as well.
EZRA:Im looking forward to being a fan from the outside.
I feel like the wise elder, almost like the Jedi Master.
I cant wait to make room for this new generation and whatever.
Theres nothing in stone.
Im excited for them, and Im really happy for them.
I cant wait to help guide them.
This is a weird thing, handing it off to other people.
But theres also like a proud, sending your kid off to college jot down of moment as well.
DEADLINE: Would you be open to directing more episodes?
EZRA:Oh, for sure.
I love it, and Im still very new to it.
Im only three episodes in, even though theyve been three big episodes.
Its still a small amount of experience.
So any chance I get to flex that muscle again, Ill take.
If theyll have me, Ill take it for sure.
I would love to.
DEADLINE: Whats next for you?
EZRA:A lot of different things in front of and behind the camera.
Were working hard on the next chapter.
That unknown is exciting again.
Job security doesnt come often into an actors life.
So having that for the last six years has been wonderful.
Im excited to do movies.
Movies is a new thing for me.
Ive done a lot of TV.
Im excited to see how the next year or so pans out.
I think its gonna be really cool.
