‘All American’ Showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll Wants ‘Homecoming’ To ‘Introduce the HBCU Experience’ to Young Fans
All American fans would be happy to hear the popular CW show is getting a spinoff series! Unlike its predecessor, All American: Homecoming will follow Simone Hicks (Geffri Maya), an aspiring tennis player from Beverly Hills, and a baseball prodigy named Damon Sims (Peyton Alex Smith). With the spinoff series, showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll hopes to “introduce the HBCU experience” to young viewers unaware of the institution’s cultural influence.
‘All American’ showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll wants viewers to see the HBCU experience
All American executive producer Nkechi Okoro Carroll will serve as a writer on the spinoff series. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Caroll revealed that she wants viewers to see the HBCU experience. While growing up, her only exposure to that world was through Black sitcoms such as A Different World – the Cosby Show spinoff centered around students attending Hillman College. So, she wants to introduce the new generation to the university lifestyle.
“This is my way of hoping I can introduce the HBCU experience and widen the horizon for our youth as a whole. I’m completely surrounded by people who went to HBCUs, and [they have this] sense of finding themselves and finding a place where they felt permission to be whatever version of Black they were and really explore what that means,” Carroll said.
Meanwhile, All American: Homecoming star Geffri Maya shared that she’s excited to bring Simone’s story to the small-screen. “These kids, especially kids that look like me, deserve to be inspired, celebrated, and motivated,” she explained. “To be part of something so monumental matters to me.”
What is the ‘All American’ spinoff series about?
The All American spinoff follows Simone Hicks (Geffri Maya), an aspiring tennis player from Beverly Hills, and a baseball prodigy named Damon Sims (Peyton Alex Smith). As young college athletes, they try to navigate college sports while attending Bringston University. Aside from the immense pressure from the sports world, both college athletes must endure the trials and tribulations of young adulthood. Furthermore, the new series will showcase the HBCU experience and its cultural impact on the Black community.
When is the spinoff series premiering on The CW?
According to Deadline, the All American spinoff will premiere on Feb. 21, 2022, on the CW at 9 PM. The CW spinoff series features a talented Black ensemble cast. The cast members include Cory Hardrict (The Oath), Sylvester Powell (99 North), Netta Walker (Chicago Fire).
Meanwhile, Kelly Jenrette will play Simone’s aunt and Journalism professor at the HBCU. All American fans might recognize the Emmy-nominated actor from the Hulu series The Handmaid’s Tale. Meanwhile, Camille Hyde will star in the spinoff series. She played the Pink Ranger in Nickelodeon’s Power Rangers Dino Charge. In addition, Hyde portrayed Alexandra Cabot in The CW series Katy Keene and Riverdale.
