Daniel Ezra Bids Farewell to ‘All American’ as Series Regular, Will Return as Guest Star

Daniel Ezra, the actor who brought Spencer James to life in The CW’s hit series All American, will not return as a series regular for Season 7.

This announcement came shortly after the June 24 airing of the pivotal “Victory Lap” episode, where Spencer achieves his NFL dreams and gets engaged to Olivia (Samantha Logan). But Ezra will still make guest appearances, ensuring his character remains a vital part of the show’s fabric.

The decision for Ezra to transition out of his starring role was made collaboratively with showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll before Season 6 commenced.

This foresight allowed for a thoughtfully crafted conclusion to Spencer’s storyline.

“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,” Ezra said in a heartfelt statement.

“Thanks to Nkechi and the writers, I got my wish. Season 6 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.”

His exit coincides with Spencer’s significant milestones in the series. The Victory Lap episode, which sees Spencer drafted into the NFL, playing in the Super Bowl, and proposing to Olivia, effectively serves as a grand farewell to the character who has been central to the show’s narrative since its inception.

Nkechi Okoro Carroll, the show’s runner, expressed deep appreciation for Ezra’s contributions.

“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.'”

He directed multiple episodes, including the series’ milestone 100th episode aired in May, showcasing his multifaceted talent and deep connection to the show.

As “All American,” produced by Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Studios, prepares for its seventh season, it is expected to undergo significant changes.

The introduction of new characters is anticipated to infuse fresh energy into the series, mirroring strategies used by other long-running shows to maintain viewer engagement and manage production costs.