By: Kemberlie Spivey
Photo By Kevin Estrada/The CW
Q) We last saw Cassius Jeremy standing on the sidelines of one of the biggest moments in the series — the Crenshaw vs. Beverly championship game. What can you tease about where we pick up with Cassius and how that championship night changes things for him?
A) I have to be careful not to give too much away for anyone still catching up. But what I can say is that this season, Cassius’s compass really shifts. For so long everything he did was about doing right by his father, and now that weight moves onto his son. He’s trying to make sure that every choice he makes from here is in service of KJ’s future.
Q) Cassius came into the story with a lot of confidence and mystery, but we eventually learned there were deeper layers to him — especially when it came to family. What was your favorite part about exploring the softer side of Cassius?
A) Honestly, my favorite part was getting to peel back that layer. Cassius leads with confidence and a bit of mystery, but underneath it he’s a father, a husband, someone who feels things deeply and doesn’t always know what to do with them. This season let me play the softer, more vulnerable version of him, and a lot of that came alive through the new dynamics with KJ (Nathaniel Logan McIntyre), Ava (Angel Parker) and Jordan (Michael Evans Behling). I got to do some scenes I’m really proud of, and I can’t wait for people to see them
Q) One of the biggest surprises was the reveal that Cassius and Jordan are cousins. How did you approach playing that new family dynamic, and what was it like exploring the possibility of Cassius and Jordan building a stronger bond?
A) I gotta say, those scenes were a lot more fun to shoot than they’ll probably look on screen. Michael is such a gifted actor and a genuinely great person, so getting to do more with him this season was a gift. As for the dynamic itself, I approached it knowing that even with the blood tie, Cassius still struggles deep down with feeling truly accepted by the Bakers. And that’s understandable, he carries a lot of guilt for what he did back in Season 7. So, building that bond with Jordan isn’t simple for him. It’s him slowly letting himself believe he might actually belong somewhere. That’s the tension I wanted to play.
Q) Cassius has always been a character who carries a lot beneath the surface. In the final season, do we get to see a different side of him that fans haven’t experienced before?
A) We definitely do. This season we get to see Cassius with his guard down in a way we really haven’t before. So much of him used to be about survival and control and now that focus turns toward making his family whole again and being there for KJ for the right reasons. There’s one scene with Ava, in particular, that I can’t wait for people to see. Angel was such a wonderful scene partner and we both let ourselves go to a really vulnerable place together. I’m looking forward to fans seeing where that relationship goes.
Q) The relationship between Cassius and Jordan has so many layers — from teammates to rivals to now discovering they’re family. What do you think they can learn from each other?
A) I feel like Jordan teaches Cassius something about trust, specifically not to give it away too easily. I can’t say much more than that without spoiling things. And on the flip side, Cassius could teach Jordan that being calm in the storm is sometimes the smarter play. Think before you leap. Although maybe that’s a lesson they both still need to learn.
Q) KJ has become such an important part of Cassius’ story. How does becoming a father influence the choices Cassius makes this season, and what does KJ bring out of him that fans may not expect?
A) KJ has always been at the heart of Cassius’s story – the whole reason he became a coach in the first place was for his son. That passion for KJ’s future has never wavered. What’s beautiful about this season is that it flips a little. We get to see KJ encourage his father to remember who he is. All those lessons Cassius instilled in him, KJ hands them right back, reminding his dad to live by them himself. It’s a really moving thing to play.
Q) If you could describe Cassius’ evolution from when audiences first met him to the final season in three words, what would they be and why?
A) I’d say grateful, focused and hopeful. Grateful because despite everything he did last season, he still has a family that loves him in Ava and KJ and the potential for new bonds with Jordan. Focused because of everything he’s trying to accomplish this season, it’s a real hail mary and that’s about all I can say without spoiling it. And hopeful because of where we leave the Jeremys by the end. I’ll let you do with that what you will.
Q) The world of “All American” has always been about legacy — football, family, and personal growth. What do you think Cassius’ legacy will be when fans look back at his story?
A) Drama! Ha! I think they’ll remember him for the messy secret plan, the daddy issues and the triumphant redemption arc. All the greatest hits. No, I’m kidding. Honestly, I just hope they remember him fondly. If people walk away feeling like they understood him, even the parts of him that were hard to love, then I did my job. Getting to play Cassius has been a real blessing. It’s not lost on me how rare it is to live with a character this long and get to show every side of him. So, if fans hold onto him warmly after all this, that’s more than I could ask for.
Q) You joined a show with such a passionate fanbase. What has surprised you most about the way fans have connected with Cassius and his journey?
A) Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect coming in. I’m a fan of the show myself, so more than anything I just wanted to honor the legacy I was stepping into. You feel that responsibility when you join something people already love. And considering who Cassius was back in Season 7, I’ve been so pleasantly surprised. To have people stop me on the street and tell me they love the Jeremys and that they’re rooting for this family, it means the world.
Q) Looking back at your time playing Cassius Jeremy, what is the one memory from set—whether it was with the cast, a scene, or something behind the scenes—that you will always carry with you?
A) That’s easy. The last day, the final scene of the final season. When we wrapped, you could just feel the love in the room. Every single person, in front of and behind the camera, had poured years into this show. I’d only been there two seasons, but you could see how this whole crew had become a real family over time, and it was so beautiful to get to be even a small part of that. When our showrunner Nkechi [Okoro Carroll] gave her speech thanking everyone, I actually shed a tear and I’ll be honest, that has never happened to me on a job before. I’m so grateful I got to be part of this. There were so many great memories along the way, but that one will always be the one that stays with me
Q) After fans watch the final season, what is the one thing you hope they take away from Cassius Jeremy’s story and his journey?
A) I hope people take away that Cassius never stopped fighting for his family. No matter how bad things got, and they got bad, their love was what kept him standing. There’s something really human in that. Whatever you’re carrying, even when it feels too heavy to bear alone, love has a way of holding you up. If Cassius’s story reminds someone of that, then he was worth playing.
Q) What are the other upcoming projects that you’re excited about that we should keep our eyes on?
A) Cassius is a tough act to follow. From the character to the working experience, it’s been a dream, so I’m curious whether the next chapter can top it. I’m still waiting to see what that chapter even is, which is the exciting part of this job. In the meantime, I’ve been writing a lot. I just wrapped a short film I wrote and directed and I’m excited, a little nervous too, to see how it’s received and hopefully get it into some festivals, too.
Q) What would you like to say to fans and supporters of the wonderful work you continue to do on our screens?
A) I’d just like to say thank you. Truly. For all the kind words and the support. I’m a guy from London chasing what he loves in a completely new place and to know that it’s connecting with people, that I’m doing something right, that means more than I can really put into words. So, thank you for letting me be part of your screens for a while. I don’t take a second of it for granted.