The CW's All American: Homecoming is a likable companion piece to All American

The Hollywood Reporter

"Real-life inspiration notwithstanding, The CW’s All American seemed to fit pretty squarely into the template of high school dramas set in ultra-posh neighborhoods," says Angie Han. "But as a character notes a couple of episodes into its brand-new spinoff, All American: Homecoming, college is a different ballgame, honey. Homecoming is attempting something different than its predecessor was — less soapy, more down-to-earth — and if it’s not quite as addictive to start, it’s still a likable companion piece that tackles the unique challenges of life after high school with warmth and understanding. Not that you need to have seen the original in the first place, since Homecoming‘s determination to do its own thing extends to its plot."

ALSO:

• All American: Homecoming is admirably big-hearted in crafting two protagonists whose struggles viewers will follow attentively
• Showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll on Simone's All American: Homecoming's love triangle: “You’re 18, you’re in college, and 18-year-olds are messy. College kids are messy. It’s just that — life is messy," says Okoro Carroll. "The chemistry is definitely there. They’re both exceptional actors is such a dream to work with and have so much natural chemistry."
• Okoro Carroll says Shakespeare, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Greg Berlanti influenced All American: Homecoming
• When Peyton Alex Smith began working on the All American: Homecoming pilot, it had been 17 years since he last held a baseball
• Geffri Maya recalls the conversations she had with Nkechi Okaro Carroll about the spinoff: "Me and NK talked, and she was like, ‘I knew I wanted to do a spinoff, and I just feel like this is the most appropriate route to go in terms of Black female leads and Black athleticism.’ I want to continue to push that narrative of not just what you’re good at, but just who you are, the contribution that you give just being a Black person,” says Maya. “We give so much more than we’re credited for. It’s not just about what we tangibly can do or what we have historically done, but us as a people. It’s way more than ‘I got a show about me.’ It’s more than that, because it’s not about me. It’s for the generations to come."