All American went on a total stunner last night.
The long-running CW drama just killed off a main character.
Taye Diggs — who portrayed Billy Baker on All American since its premiere in 2018 — was written off the show in an unexpected turn of events involving a fatal bus crash.
Who promoted such development?!?
A request from Diggs itself, as it turns out.
Executive producer Nkechi Okoro Carroll said in a statement after the Season 5 installment aired, “It has been an honor to work with Taye over these past five seasons and to watch him bring such an incredible life to the role of Billy Baker. ”
“It’s really been a gift for me and my fellow writers to write a character who was equal parts flawed and heroic.”
Executive producer Nkechi Okoro Carroll released a statement to ET on Monday, addressing Diggs’ departure from the show after five years.
He added:
“Billy was all of us and what a joy it was to watch this character grow as he raised his kids and his football players as one big family.
“We wish Taye the best in this next chapter of his life and he will continue to be a beloved member of the all-American family.”
Carroll also interestingly noted that viewers “may not have seen the last of Billy Baker.”
During an emotional time, the Billy and South Crenshaw football players participated in a combination that gave the kids a chance to show off their skills in front of college coaches.
On the way home from the event, the tire of the bus carrying Billy, Asher, Jabari and the other Crenshaw players burst, causing an accident that sends the bus tumbling dangerously down the side of a cliff.
Shortly after, the episode wraps up with Billy’s family learning of his death.
Diggs told TV Line on Monday night that he is “one hundred” percent open to returning via flashback, making it clear that there are no hard feelings on either side.
“I was having a great time,” Diggs also told TV Line about how the call came about.
“It was just a feeling I got [that I was ready to leave], and I just respected that sentiment. It was probably mid-fourth season.
“To be honest, I don’t even remember, because the showrunner and I are very close. We kept in touch, so she knew, and we were talking.
“And we decided how to go about it, and the storylines and whatnot, so it was all above board, and everybody knew.”
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