Taye Diggs has bid farewell to CW’s All American. The actor has portrayed Coach Billy Baker in the drama since its 2018 debut.
In the episode titled “Time,” Billy and his South Crenshaw football players participated in a showcase that allowed the players to show off their skills to college coaches. While riding back with his players, the bus blew a tire, causing it to teeter off the edge of a cliff and crash, killing Baker.
Talks about his departure were discussed near the midpoint of season 4, which premiered in 2022. In a recent interview, the 52-year-old revealed his desire for change.
“I was having a great time. It was just a feeling that I was ready to leave, and I just honored that feeling,” he told TVline.
The initial plan to have his character make his exit was supported by showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll.
“I wanted to honor whenever Taye felt right — that he’d served his purpose and felt like he’d lived the journey of Billy’s character,” Carroll told TVline.
When it came to deciding how to leave the show Diggs and Carroll agree that an untimely demise was unfortunately their only option.
“The easiest choice would have been for me to teach at some college,” he said, “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.”
Diggs also shared the news about the death of his character on his Instagram page on Valentine’s Day.
“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 ??”
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Inspired by true events, All American follows tells the story of a star high school football player from South Central who is recruited to play for Beverly Hills High School. The series also stars Samantha Logan, Michael Evans Behling, Greta Onieogou, Bre-Z, Karimah, and others.
Although Baker is gone, Carroll says there could be ample opportunity for Diggs to return for guest appearances such as flashbacks his characters may have of him or dream sequences.
“If there are organic moments, and when there are moments that it feels right for Billy to return, that is absolutely something that both Taye and the show would love to make happen,” says Carroll. “We’re not closing the door on anything or anyone.”
All American season 5 premieres every Monday at 8 p.m. EST on CW. You can also watch the drama on Hulu and Netflix as well as its spinoff, All American Homecoming.
