With news of All American being renewed for a fourth season and continuing to shine in the ratings, it was only a matter of time before news of a proposed spinoff would come out. All American: Homecoming was first announced in Dec. 2020 with little information known about the series, other than Geffri Maya's Simone Hicks starting fresh at a historically Black university. That was until now.
Below, we’re keeping up an updated roundup of all the All American: Homecoming cast members expected to pop up in the backdoor pilot. Simone plays a more prominent role in All American this season as she has become more integrated into The CW series (courtesy of her relationship with Jordan Baker). So, the pilot is the perfect way to gauge the show’s devoted fanbase on whether they want to see more Simone in the future. So, be sure to bookmark this page and check back for more updates soon. Let’s kick off things with the star herself, Simone Hicks.
Geffri Maya (Simone Hicks)
After becoming more prominent in All American Season 3, Geffri Maya will get her time to shine in the backdoor pilot. Before landing the role of Simone Hicks on All American, Maya was best known as Maya Bennet (daughter of All American co-star Taye Diggs) on the hit ABC drama Private Practice. The potential spinoff will follow the tennis hopeful as she leaves Beverly Hills High to attend the prestigious Bringston University. She will be competing in the high-stakes world of college sports while navigating early adulthood.
Peyton Alex Smith (Damon Sims)
While he had memorable roles in Netflix’s now-canceled Luke Cage and the Kathryn Bigelow-helmed drama Detroit, Peyton Alex Smith is best known as Rafael in Legacies (another CW hit series). He's also been headlining BET’s college drama The Quad (another series centered around a fictional HBCU). His role in the backdoor pilot will be that of nationally ranked baseball prodigy Damon Sims. Smith’s character is a natural who grew up on the South Side of Chicago before a Little League controversy tainted his experience along with his pushy momager.
Cory Hardrict (Marcus Turner)
Actor and producer Cory Hardrict has popped up in several memorable television shows and movies over his decades-long career such as Never Benn Kissed, American Sniper and Lincoln Heights. Hardrict recently headed up the Crackle crime drama The Oath as corrupt cop Cole Hammond. In All American: Homecoming, the actor will play more of a mentor/father figure role as Coach Marcus Turner. He is the tough and blunt baseball professional-turned-Bringston assistant head coach who will lead the men’s baseball team.
Kelly Jenrette (Amara Patterson)
Before her breakthrough role as Annie in the Hulu drama The Handmaid’s Tale, Kelly Jenrette had notable roles in the Fox comedy Grandfathered and the animated cult classic Frisky Dingo. In this new project, Jenrette will play Simone’s journalism professor-activist aunt Dr. Amara Patterson. Dr. Patterson maybe Bringston’s most popular professor but oftentimes her activism clashes with her family’s values and morals.
Sylvester Powell (Jessie Raymond Jr.)
Rising actor Sylvester Powell spent two seasons as Tre on Facebook Watch’s Five Point, and he’ll step into another fictional world set in early adulthood with All American: Homecoming. In the backdoor pilot, Powell will take on Jessie Raymond Jr., a hard-working baseball player and friend of Damon. Being in the competitive Bringston environment may test Jessie and Damon’s friendship as Damon becomes the star player.
Netta Walker (Keisha McCalla)
While still a relative newcomer to television, Netta Walker has a long resume of theater credits, including Rent, Hamlet and Great Expectations. All American: Homecoming marks Walker’s first prominent television role after a guest spot on NBC’s Chicago Fire. In the backdoor pilot, the actress will play campus socialite and Bringston legacy Keisha McCalla. Walker’s McCalla is a pre-Med student who dreams of a dancing career much to the dismay of her academic father.
Camille Hyde (Thea Mays)
Although she’s had memorable roles in Nickelodeon sitcom The Thundermans and the acclaimed Netflix series American Vandal, Camille Hyde is best known as Shelby Watkinson/Pink Dino Ranger in Power Ranger: Dino Fury as well as Alexandra Cabot in Katy Keene (a canceled CW Riverdale spinoff). With this pilot, Thea Mays is set to play mean-girl-tennis-prodigy Thea Mays, who becomes Simone’s primary rival. Her dislike for Simone goes against her pro-Black stance, especially for Black women in tennis.
At this moment, there are only casting announcements for The CW's All American: Homecoming. Word on a season order probably won't come until after the episode airs or the impending television upfronts, but given the popularity of the original, there's hopefully a lot to look forward to. Remember to check back for more updates as more casting news comes out and see what else is coming with our full schedule.
