Netta Walker as Keisha McCalla -Keisha McCalla is the unofficial mayor of Bringston University and one of Simone's closest friends at Bringston. How would you say this visit changes Simone? Marcus will even get his job back, this time ashead coach and not assistant! PMC Entertainment. Follow Cooper on Twitter @MovieCooper. Only the best woman will win the spot. We spoke to the All American: Homecoming star about Simone's first days at Bringston, what we can look forward to in its debut season, and what the show means to her. Serena, Venus, Naomi, so many of these Black women who are playing this sport are pushing through and persevering as a Black person, a Black woman. I was nervous because I've never danced on camera before, but it was fun because I had Samantha [Logan] to support me and we truly had such a good time. The most challenging [thing] was definitely the tennis, because I am learning tennis now. At Bringston, Simone has an instant connection with Damon (Peyton Alex Smith) so, what does that mean for her and Jordan? Simone's rough start includes getting on the tennis team. Towards the end of the dinner, Thea admits to the group shes always wanted to pole dance, and Keisha has the perfect cap for her birthday. I don't think there's anything to worry about. As she, Olivia, Spencer and Jordan prepare to leave campus and return home, Jordan notes that his wife looks happy though when Simone gets in the car, Jordans now the one looking anxious about his and Simones future. Although this proved to not be the case, Jordan and Simone fell in love and the two have had a strong relationship ever since. Simone is a young adult now and she's gone through mental health issues in terms of her anxiety and panic attacks, which she has to tackle. However,All American season 3 concluded with a reversal of Jordan and Simone's marriage. (TVLine first broke the news in December that The CW was eyeing an All American offshoot centered on Mayas character.). [Sylvester] Powell, who plays JR, does that speech about the cultural creed of being a Bringston Lion and that really is something inspiring and powerful. Its hard finding something that fits who I am when I feel like Im a work in progress, minus the progress, Simone sighs to her friends while picking out school outfits in the second episode. It'll be exciting for people to see Black girls from different backgrounds find ways to support one another. I know people are waiting for the mess, but I appreciate the question because outside of that aspect what Damon and Simone have in common is redefining their identity. Damon praises her though Thea snips at her for going off-script. The only thing I can and will always say is Black people should never be made to feel like they need permission to be who they are and to showcase their talents, dreams, and visions for themselves, and for their community. What can you share about the part their friendship will play on the show? Rebecca Iannucci / this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Simone sets up a surprise party for Thea when a girl arrives hoping to study. Sometimes that happens and you dont even notice that its getting complicated, Carroll tells Variety. He's now attempting to keep Bringston's baseball program relevant so the school can't cut its funding. Though it certainly doesnt hurt to go back and catch up on the backdoor pilot that aired as part of All American last year, Simone (Geffri Maya) the Homecoming protagonist who links the two shows recaps everything a new viewer really needs to know in the first few minutes of the new series. Simone, who was introduced inAll Americans second season, is currently a senior at Beverly High. The one where EW follows up with the cast. Jock Zonfrillo Dies: 'MasterChef Australia' Judge And Acclaimed, Damar Hamlin's Charity Sponsor, the Giving Back Fund, Embroiled, Even Without Barry, 'Barry' Is Delighted with Its Own Misery, Malaysia's 'Abang Adik' Wins Udine Festival's Golden Mulberry, Editor's Choice: I Purchased This TikTok-Viral Walking Pad and I, TVLine is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Simones journey of self-reflection is echoed in other subplots involving the younger characters, like Damon trying to gel with the teammates who are understandably less than thrilled at the constant reminders he gave up the majors for them, or their RA Keisha (Netta Walker) working up the courage to inform her dad shes switching majors from premed to dance. Coopers love for movies began by watching Toy Story and Lion King on repeat as a child, but it wasn't until The Avengers that he took an invested interest in movies and the filmmaking process, leading him to discover the world of film journalism. This is especially true considering there have been no signs that Jordan is moving toAll American: Homecoming. All American and All American Homecoming air Mondays at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., respectively, on The CW. Still, it seemed that Simone and Jordans story could have been preparing for an eventual breakup to give them each a chance to start fresh when they go to college. [Rhoyle Ivy King, who plays Nathaniel Hardin] is an amazing partner because you want someone you can be vulnerable with. All American showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll will executive-produce and write Homecoming, while Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter and Robbie Rogers all exec producers on the mothership series are on board as EPs, as well. Thea doesnt have any friends as the girls from the team only tolerate her. He graduated college in 2016 with a Bachelor's degree in Media & Public Communication, with a minor in Media Production. The one where EW follows up with the cast. Jordan, then her pregnancy. Since Simone's introduction inAll American season 2, she's been an integral part of Jordan Baker's story. Her challenges are built not from dramatic developments but from the compounding burdens of relatively minor setbacks a housing snafu, a disappointing practice, a keen bout of homesickness. Simone Hicks (Geffri Maya) heads to Bringston University for a fun weekend and ends up finding the place where she belongs. She is queen-bee sophomore that gives off slight mean girl tendencies. This revelation came as a huge surprise as nothing else in season 3 indicated their relationship advanced to this level. Not just to each other's arcs, but to All American. Viewers could recognize Cory Hardrict from any number of projects, such asThe Chi,All Eyez on Me, andAmerican Sniper. These aren't bad attachments, but now Simone has finally decided to make choices for herself and see what that looks like for her. I give so much love and support to these athletes, especially Black athletes who constantly have to raise their bar every single time that they play. Simone's new life at college is whereAll American: Homecoming begins its story. Kelly Jenrette as Amara and Geffri Maya as Simone. But in Mondays backdoor pilot, we watched as Simone still a senior in high school remained uncertain about where to apply to college, all while realizing her tennis game needs work, too. Warning: This article contains spoilers about the series premiere of All American: Homecoming. Homecomings sprawling cast allows it to approach the college experience from all angles, some inevitably more compelling than others. Every year Cooper looks forward to seeing the latest blockbusters from the likes of Marvel, DC, and Star Wars, but also loves the rush to catch up on Oscar films near the end of the year. The former assistant coach for Bringston's baseball team finds himself learning how to be a head coach in the series after the previous coach was fired for an academic scandal. As we know from the show's official . That tennis match seems to rattle Simone for much of the weekend, even as she starts to consider applying to Bringston instead of just visiting for fun. The trajectory we see with Simone from season 2 [of All American] to All American: Homecoming is a lot of her decisions have always been made with someone else in mind. "which is why you brought us to this ugh. 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And later, while speaking to Aunt Amara, Simone expresses concern that her mom wont want her to apply to Bringston, and Amara reminds her niece to put herself first when making these decisions, so that she can be the best version of herself for her loved ones. I was classically trained in that part, and once you're a dancer, it doesn't go anywhere, especially if you keep up with it. While many expected Jordan and Simone to break up during All American season 4 then, the series has not gone in that direction. She doesnt care about either of them, even ignoring Damon's attempts to introduce himself, as she only cares about getting an A. Thea cancels their lunchtime sessions as she went ahead and picked out the book they would be reading, and assigns each of them a role in the presentation. The original football drama based on Spencer Paysinger's pre-NFL careerhas become an incredibly popular series for The CW, as a wider continues to find it on Netflix. Rebecca Iannucci / ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How do you feel about getting to take Simone on this new journey? The love is still there. Whether they are friends, love interests, or foes,All American: Homecoming's cast includes plenty of recognizable characters from the backdoor pilot. More:All American: What Jordan & Simone's Marriage Means For Her Spinoff. Check out our daily must-see picks plus news, celeb interviews, trivia, and more on EW's What to Watch podcast. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. All American season 3 gave us a . During the worst of her stress, Simone takes her aunts advice to point to examples of Black excellence and see what is possible, taking inspiration from the real HBCU alums whose portraits hang in the hallways, like Their Eyes Were Watching God author Zora Neale Hurston. That's what growing up really is, it's making certain decisions that are going to benefit you in the long run. The CW's All American universe expands with a Simone-focused spinoff, and here's a guide to the cast and characters of All American: Homecoming.The original football drama based on Spencer Paysinger's pre-NFL career has become an incredibly popular series for The CW, as a wider continues to find it on Netflix. I can honestly say All American's cast and crew from the moment I stepped foot into the makeup trailer made me feel loved and supported. Although she has never been as central to the plot as the other main characters, knowing she was set to lead the spinoff series should have been a reason to give her a more substantial storyline before leaving. Mitchell Edwards reprises his role fromAll American, but viewers might also know him fromSpinning Out. Yellowstone's Kelly Reilly Offers Explanation For Her PaleyFest Absence, American Idol's Top 10 Revealed Live, Following Pair of Brutal Eliminations, Morning Show Renewed for Season 4 Plus, Find Out When Season 3 Will Air, Time100: The World's Most Influential People, Felicity Dj Vu on The Diplomat? Youre 18, youre in college, and 18-year-olds are messy. Cory Hardrict is also set to play a major role inAll American: Homecoming, as he returns as Marcus Turner. It's great for people to be able to see her outside of what she's attached to, which are her relationships, so give people an opportunity to really be able to connect with her, and build a relationship with her. She gestures to a parking garage where a car is parked. Homecoming is attempting something different than its predecessor was less soapy, more down-to-earth and if its not quite as addictive to start, its still a likable companion piece that tackles the unique challenges of life after high school with warmth and understanding. Derek Rivera previously appeared in13 Reasons Why. The " All American " universe expanded with the debut of spinoff " All American: Homecoming " on Monday night, which follows Simone (Geffri Maya) as she attempts to launch her tennis . She leaves, feeling humiliated by the event. His future with theAll American universe seems to be with the main show, as he has dreams of continuing his football career. No one should expect to make money from the picks and predictions discussed on this website. Michael and I were both in our heads about the breakup scene because we know how pivotal the characters are. OK, your turn. Throughout the series, people will start to see how relationships, communication, friendship, and genuine love and support are such key components of the collegiate space. It shows how far they can really go, not just romantically but platonically as well. Simone Hicks (Geffri Maya) has made it to Bringston University! We know people love Jordan and Simone together and everything they have overcome. Although she has never been as central to the plot as the other main characters, knowing she was set to lead the spinoff series should have been a reason to give her a more substantial storyline before leaving. During the series premiere of All American: Homecoming, we saw that Simone has a tough start to life as a college student. What the plots in juicy twists or epic emotions, they make up for with a warm sense of community, often built over the weekly family dinners that Simone hosts at her aunt Amaras house. Damon was going to the MLB and had a whole different journey planned for him by his mother. Now he's decided to give back to his community and his spot in a different way. OnceAll Americanrevealed their marriage, though, it's difficult not to think about what it means for Simone's spinoff. " Thea to Simone [source] Thea Mays is a main character in "All American: Homecoming". Still, it followed the question of if the duo could succeed in a long-distance relationship, followed by her absence at prom to compete in a tennis competition. That's what makes us the best. Tennis is such a beautiful sport that I have respect for. If you like TVLine, you'll LOVE our email news alerts! They originally planned to elope in secret, but Spencer and Olivia attended the ceremony in the end. On the flip side, storylines involving the faculty like Amara and Marcus trying to figure out what exactly president Allen (Leonard Roberts) isnt telling them about the schools budgetary woes are progressing at too slow a burn to hold much interest, at least at this early point in the series. Leonard Roberts as President Zeke Allen- Zeke Allen is the president at Bringston University and trying to keep the school afloat amid budgetary concerns. The CW's All American franchise expands with Simone's spinoff series. 2023 The Hollywood Reporter, LLC. A successful journalist-turned-journalism professor, Amara is Simone's aunt and the most popular professor on campus. Amara is in journalism because she has a powerful palette and mind, which Simone is inspired by. It's my family, you know what I mean? To explore Black families, especially Black motherhood and sisterhood is important. The 50 greatest TV and movie detectives of all time. She gives props when due.[2]. She's coming into her own and I really would like to say she's going to find it and tackle it all head on. Read on for EW's interview with Maya about returning to All American, that emotional scene with Damon, the big breakup, and more. When it was time to decide if she wanted to adopt baby Shay, she had to consider her parents. What I loved about the bonfire scene is the camaraderie. Did you play her differently, given her growth at Bringston? By the end of the hour, though, Simone is surrounded by what looks like will be her college tribe. Simone finds Thea later that evening and apologizes as she wanted to celebrate with her friends. At the end of Simones time on All American, she left Beverly Hills High and her boyfriend, Jordan (Michael Evans Behling), behind. That night, Simone runs to the elevators as Thea passes. Damons storyline needed to be set up and understood going into a new show. By A backdoor pilot for the spinoff wasincluded in season 3that set up Simone for her college adventure. Layla put up these walls because she doesnt trust people anymore, with the exception of Jordan, who just bullied his way into their friendship. While there's a chance he could spend time as a recurring character on both shows, that could get complicated quickly. Cooper Hood is a news and feature writer for Screen Rant. Cooper Hood is a news and feature writer for Screen Rant. Initially she says she's fine and tries to push through, but the. The Hollywood Reporter is a part of Penske Media Corporation. We're just getting to know Simone as an athlete. This seemed to be a clear move to set up Simone going off on her own forAll American: Homecoming. At least, if Im reading their dance-floor makeout sesh correctly, that is. Television audiences first met Geffri Maya as a high schooler portraying Maya Bennett on . But all of this scheming comes to a halt when Amara is tipped off about a cheating scandal within the athletics department: Bringstons head baseball coach has been knowingly enrolling his players in paper classes, or courses that dont actually exist, so they can remain academically eligible to play baseball at the school while acing their classes. (Several similar scandals have happened in real life, most notably at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. One user there wrote: "Between their terrible saves, their constant praise of mediocrity, and standing for every act (I've never seen judges more guilty of this than these Idol judges), I think it's time for a change." Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Entertainment Weekly is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. And again, I had a great scene partner. Why do you think Simone ultimately decides breaking up is the right choice? A tennis prodigy, she takes her responsibility for representing the Black community in the sport very seriously. It's pretty exciting. All American: Homecoming makes its debut Monday, Feb. 21.The spin-off series will take viewers into Simone's (Geffri Maya) college years at Bringston University. Shes in a relationship with Michael Evans Behlings Jordan (and hes smitten! Simone and Thea head to the party together where Thea agrees to feign surprise. It is going to be a huge test of the genuine friendship that we believe Thea and Simone have created with each other. The network confirmed on Monday that its moving forward with a potential spinoff of the football drama, to be focused on Geffri Mayas Simone. Thea makes a point of telling Simone that four other girls are striving for a spot on her team. It was such a beautiful experience because it was so genuine. It was nerve wracking for us because we're not going to working together as much anymore. Variety and the Flying V logos are trademarks of Variety Media, LLC. Simone outmatches everyone on the court and makes it to the last match against Thea. Simones storyline remained entwined with Jordans. Since Jordan is still heavily involved with the original show, it seemsAll American: Homecoming will mix Behling into the show using FaceTime primarily, although physical appearances by the actor can still happen. After spending time with her Aunt Amara (Kelly Jenrette), a journalist and professor at the university, and meeting elite high school baseball player Damon Sims (Peyton Alex Smith), Simone leaves the campus with a sense of purpose and knowing where she wants to go next. By In addition to making All American season 4, the network also began developing a . Theyre both exceptional actors is such a dream to work with and have so much natural chemistry, teases showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll about whats to come between Simone and Damon. College kids are messy. New episodes of All American air Mondays at 8/7c on The CW and the franchise is expanding via All American: Homecoming, a Simone-centric spinoff that was ordered to series at the. There has not been any confirmation that actorMichael Evans Behling is part of Simone's spinoff. This is years of working with this person, depending on him and supporting each other through the emotional trials of acting. GeffriMaya is known for Private Practice (2007), WTF, Baron Davis (2019) and Loco (2020). ET, followed by All American: Homecoming at 9 p.m. GEFFRI MAYA: It was the right way to begin because college ultimately is about transitioning and that's not easy, especially when you're having to live on your own and make decisions on your own. Derek Rivera as Santiago Reyes- Santiago Reyes isanother baseball playerfor Bringston's team, where he plays catcher. Simone wants to find Coach Loni but Thea knows the coach has seen enough today. After spending time with her Aunt Amara (Kelly Jenrette), a journalist and professor at the university, and meeting elite high school baseball player Damon Sims (Peyton Alex Smith), Simone leaves. Jock Zonfrillo Dies: 'MasterChef Australia' Judge And Acclaimed, Damar Hamlin's Charity Sponsor, the Giving Back Fund, Embroiled, Even Without Barry, 'Barry' Is Delighted with Its Own Misery, Malaysia's 'Abang Adik' Wins Udine Festival's Golden Mulberry, Editor's Choice: I Purchased This TikTok-Viral Walking Pad and I, TVLine is a part of Penske Media Corporation. All American Wiki is a FANDOM TV Community. Simone Hicks (Geffri Maya) had a hell of a trip back to Los Angeles. New Romance Brewing on Superman, Fox News 8 pm Viewership Down Sharply Since Tucker Carlson's Ouster, Stephen Amell Doesn't Think He's Done Playing Green Arrow. Thea commends her for trying. Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day. Amidst new obstacles, Simone Hicks discovers the makings of a found family in the. At the end of the day, that's how you grow pressure. Or is that just a really good friend whos there for you? she asks. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Thea (Camille Hyde) and Simone have a frosty reunion. Beyond his role in theAll American universe, audiences might also know Michael Evans Behling for his role inGrey's Anatomy andA Cinderella Story: Starstruck. Real-life inspiration notwithstanding, The CWs All American seemed to fit pretty squarely into the template of high school dramas set in ultra-posh neighborhoods. Thea claims dedication isnt an issue for the other players, only Simone. Halle Bailey, Melissa McCarthy, and director Rob Marshall share the tale behind making their underwater musical with a groundbreaking Disney princess. The significance of Jordan in Simone's life is getting her to this point of being able to celebrate herself and making decisions for herself. I trained with Debbie Allen at the Alvin Alley Dance Academy, so. I grew up as a dancer. Laura let Simone in her house to stay with them with Laura knowing the baby was not even Jordan's . She's going to learn work-life balance and tackle what it means to be an adult and to make certain decisions, but also what it means to dedicate yourself fully, because tennis is something we gave up and now she's deciding she is taking tennis very seriously.
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