Lead actor Daniel Ezra leaves All American (2018) after the sixth season

Spencer James' story comes to an end in The CW's All American (2018).

Daniel Ezra (pictured below), who has played the character for the past six years, will not return as a regular actor in season seven. He is expected to make cameo appearances.



On Monday's episode, titled Victory Lap, Spencer is finally selected for the NFL after a heartbreaking Draft Day in which he was not selected in the first round. The episode ends with a time jump, where the audience sees Spencer in action at the Super Bowl before he proposes to Olivia (Samantha Logan).

The final two episodes of season six - which was expanded in April - will focus on Spencer and Olivia as they plan their wedding.

Sources understand that this was a creative decision made by Ezra and showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll before they started work on season six. It was not a result of a budget cut that was rumored for the seventh season.

With Ezra's departure, this opens the door for further casting changes, with some newer next-gen characters likely taking over, as previously reported.

“After making the difficult decision to leave All American, my sole focus became completing the journey of the most life-affirming character I’ve ever played in the manner he deserves. Thanks to Nkechi and the writers, I got my wish. Season six is ‘Spencer’s goodbye.’ I’ll miss him. I’ll miss our cast and crew. I hope it’s been as fun to watch him as it has been to play him,” Ezra said in a statement to Deadline.

Ezra has led the cast since season one, where audiences follow Spencer through the trials and tribulations of his journey to the NFL. The actor has also been behind the camera in recent seasons, directing several episodes, including the milestone 100th episode, which aired in May.

In a statement, Okoro Carroll said, “Partnering with Daniel Ezra over the last six seasons to bring Spencer’s story to life has been such an amazing, fulfilling, experience. Daniel truly is a gift and brought so much to the character on and off the field. And while Spencer has achieved his NFL dreams, I’m grateful Daniel will still remain an important part of this family, both in front of and behind the camera as we step into a new, exciting chapter of All American.”

Okoro Carroll is showrunner of All American (2018), which is produced by Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Studios. She is also an executive producer alongside Greg Berlanti, Jameal Turner, Sarah Schechter, Mike Herro and David Strauss.