“All American” Finale Shocker: What the Cliffhanger Means for the Bakers’ Legacy!

CAUTION: This article contains spoilers from the Season 7 finale of The CW’s All American.

The Season 7 finale of The CW’s All American wraps up with a suspenseful note that leaves almost all character relationships up in the air.

This episode coincides with the highly anticipated Beverly versus Crenshaw game, which also becomes a significant family event. It’s revealed that Cassius is Jordan’s cousin and his recent role as coach at Beverly was not just out of goodwill. Cassius is determined to dismantle the Baker family’s legacy by surpassing every record and title previously held by his uncle, Billy Baker.

Meanwhile, the younger characters face their own sets of issues. Khalil struggles with his emotions towards Amina and his relationship with his father. At the same time, Amina begins to realize her possible feelings for KJ while also needing to prioritize her future upon her acceptance into a boarding school, a potential pathway to Stanford. In the midst of this, KJ is caught up with Tori, who confronts him for leading her on and demands better treatment.

All the tension naturally spills over onto the football field, where each character feels compelled to prove themselves. However, the episode leaves viewers hanging without revealing the outcome of the game or the future of the relationships.

As of now, All American has not been renewed for another season, though Deadline previously reported that CW is still considering whether to continue this beloved series.

In the interview below, showrunners Nkechi Okoro Carroll and Jamie Turner discuss their aspirations for the storyline going forward.

DEADLINE: Starting with that unexpected cliffhanger—why end the season without revealing the game’s winner?

NKECHI OKORO CARROLL: Truly, it was the most impactful ending—not just for this season but for the entire series. The heart of the show has always been the rivalry between Crenshaw and Beverly, which extends beyond mere sports competition into personal vendettas. We felt that, given everything that unfolded this season and the culmination of events in the finale, leaving the ultimate outcome of the game and its implications for the Baker and Jeremy families open-ended was the right choice, hoping for a Season 8.

DEADLINE: We see Jordan grappling with his unfair treatment towards KJ in this episode. What steps would they need to take to potentially mend their relationship?

CARROLL: It’s fundamentally about trust. The bond and trust between them need to be established, not just rebuilt. Jordan recognizes his misdirected frustration towards KJ, especially after Cassius points out KJ’s innocence and defense of Jordan. However, the reconciliation and unity of the Baker and Jeremy families will require considerable trust-building, bridge-building, and forgiveness, none of which Jordan can rush.

DEADLINE: Tori finally stands up to KJ. How will the complex love dynamics unfold, especially with Amina’s new realization about her feelings for KJ and Khalil’s feelings for Amina?

JAMIE TURNER: Personally, that’s what makes YA drama so appealing. One of the key themes this episode was growth and seizing new opportunities. The evolution of Amina and Khalil from the start of the season to its end shows significant personal growth, setting the stage for future complexities in their relationships. Amina’s realization about her feelings for KJ and her need to prioritize her own ambitions hints at the importance of timing and personal growth in relationships. This dynamic will likely influence the evolving relationships among KJ, Tori, and others as they mature.

DEADLINE: It reminds me of the early seasons of All American. Can we expect more?

TURNER: Absolutely, the emotional core of this show, driven by NK’s passion, opens up many more narratives and possibilities among the four main characters and others. We have additional characters that might be integrated as we hopefully move forward.

CARROLL: Also, observing the complexities of teenage relationships through my son and his friends gives me a unique perspective. It’s always fascinating how intense and serious these relationships appear to them. Bringing this authenticity to television is incredibly fulfilling. Moreover, celebrating the growth, graduation, and realization of dreams of our original cast is a source of pride. Our cast members who have moved on did so because their story arcs were complete. Spencer reached the NFL, Olivia became a renowned author and journalist, and they are now expecting twins. Asher landed a dream coaching job. It’s been rewarding to follow them from their teenage years to adulthood, achieving their dreams.