📸: The CW
Cousins! If you are a devoted fan of the CW hit series ‘All American’ television show you know that viewers were taken on quite a ride this week as they bid farewell to one of the cast’s original members. If you haven’t tapped in yet you might want to exit stage left before we spoil it for you…
Actor Taye Diggs said goodbye to his beloved role of Billy Baker, a high school football coach at Beverly Hills high, following the February 13th debuted episode.
In a recent conversation with TV Line Taye explains why he wanted to be written off the show and have his character issued a traumatic exit after 5 official seasons. “I was having a great time. It was just a feeling that I got [that I was ready to leave], and I just honored that feeling.”
The 52 year old explained that he began to fell as if he wanted to leave midway through season four and that he expressed his feelings to the show runner Nkechi Okoro Carroll.
“The easiest choice would have been for me to teach at some college, but then given the intensity of the relationships between me and my family, and me and the team, it would not make sense if I was still alive and wasn’t still in contact with these children of mine — ,” said Taye.
“…these students, these young men that had such an influence on my life.” Taye reveals that this was his very first time as an actor being killed off of a show.
“When I was told how I was exiting, I was impressed. No characters I’ve played have ever been dealt with in that fashion. I was honored,” Taye added.
He also took to his verified Instagram account with a message for his fans in saying , “Thank you”
“That’s a wrap! Thank you fans for your unrelenting support. Thank you cast for your energy and unrivaled talent. Y’all are EVERYTHING and will always be,” he captioned his post. “THANK YOU, NnKe For such a graceful exit and for altering the trajectory of my life as an actor, parent and a human being. SO MUCH LOVE ❤️”
Originally debuting in 2018 “All American,”follows the life and times of a star high school football player, player by actor Daniel Ezra. His South Central Los Angeles native character’s life changes is forever changed after being recruited to play for Beverly Hills High School.
Actors Samantha Logan, Michael Evans Behling, Greta Onieogou, Bre-Z, Karimah, and others also star in the series.
All new episodes debut each and every Monday at 8 p.m. ET on the CW network.
Cousins! Let’s all give Taye a round of applauds for five amazing seasons and ultimately a job well done. Be sure to check out social media users reaction to his final episode also 👇🏿