HIDDEN GEMS: ALL AMERICAN
Taye Diggs Is A Must-Watch Actor
Since the inception of our Hidden Gems series, we have focused on music. And while there’s more to the music catalog, there are hidden gems throughout pop culture. TV and film have many embedded treasures, whether it’s from cable television or primetime. Three seasons in, and the CW drama All American still stands as one of the network’s unheralded shows.
Based on a true story, All American stars British actor Daniel Ezra as a kid born into a single-parent household with NFL-level talents. He is touted as the next up to make it big. Hailing from Crenshaw, Spencer James, Ezra’s character, gets recruited to a high school where the head coach is ex-football superstar Billy Baker.
Baker, played by Taye Diggs, becomes a much-needed father figure; yet, as their relationship develops, his intentions and ties to Spencer create conflict between the two, their respective families, their communities, and their team.
In its wake, a young prospect works to maintain structure within his community and is from the same organization as his coach.
The cast is supported by actors from 13 Reason Why like Samantha Logan to Demetrius Shipp Jr, Tupac in the biopic All Eyez on Me. The show has subplots that provide a lot of the teenage angst we’re accustomed to seeing on the CW, akin to Riverdale. However, it offers a gameday-like twist that can only be compared to NBC’s Friday Night Lights.
Touching on racism, classism, drug use, and more, this show offers insight on personal matters that many can relate to one way or another. A gem streamed on the CW app; a football drama that gets dark, steamy, and real, all-in-one, fitting for PROVOKRs first TV hidden gem.
