One of The CW's only surviving TV shows, All American has run for seven seasons as of May 2025.

As of the writing of this article, The CW has yet to announce whether All American has been renewed for an eighth season or if the show has finally been canceled after seven seasons.

All American has survived every change and obstacle at The CW, while many of its fellow teen dramas (e.g., Legends of Tomorrow, Charmed, Legacies, etc.) were canceled when Nexstar acquired the network. Its resilience is impressive but not surprising. Throughout All American's seven seasons, fans have watched beloved characters grow, achieve their dreams, and experience setbacks that the audience can relate to. Plus, its popularity on Netflix certainly helps. However, the series' numerous shocking moments sprinkled throughout the series are what have kept All American alive.

10 Shawn's Death

Season 1, Episode 8

The All American writers proved they weren't afraid to kill off important characters right out of the gate when Shawn died in season 1, episode 8, "Homecoming." Shawn was Coop and Spencer's friend who was d with Tyrone Morris' gang to make ends meet. Coop and Spencer attempted to help Shawn get out and pursue a better life for him and his daughter, Maya. Unfortunately, he never got the chance to escape.

Shawn decided that he and Maya were going to move in with one of his cousins in Louisiana in All American season 1, episode 8. However, before they could leave Crenshaw, Shawn made the mistake of telling Tyrone about his plans. Upset at his apparent betrayal, Tyrone ordered one of his gang to kill Shawn. So, they shot Shawn and left him bleeding out on the sidewalk, marking All American's first major death.

9 Billy & Grace's Affair

Season 1, Episode 14

Not every surprising development in All American revolves around someone dying — six episodes after Shawn's death, Spencer learned that his mother, Grace, and his coach, Billy, had previously had an affair. Spencer's father, Corey, left their family many years prior after discovering Grace was cheating on him with Billy. So, Spencer had grown up resenting Corey, only to later find out the devastating truth behind why he abandoned them several years later.

The reveal of Billy and Grace's affair wasn't only a shock to Spencer, but it was also a surprise to the audience. What made the secret all the more stunning was later learning that Corey might not have been Dillon's biological father. Thankfully, All American season 2 confirmed that he was Dillon's father, but the good news was delivered alongside horrible news.

8 Spencer Finding His Father Dead

Season 2, Episode 7

Sadly, Corey's time on All American had an expiration date as he died in season 2, episode 7, "Coming Home." The audience was aware that Corey was dying since he had previously been diagnosed with lymphoma. However, his dying so soon in the sports drama was a shock. It was also completely and utterly heartbreaking because Spencer was the one who found his father dead. Daniel Ezra gave the performance of his life in the All American episode, and watching as Spencer embraced Corey's dead body while sobbing will always be one of the show's defining moments.

7 Simone Reveals Jordan Isn't The Father Of Her Baby

Season 2, Episode 8

One episode after Corey died, Jordan discovered a surprise of his own when Simone informed him he wasn't the father of her baby. The two teens previously had a one-night stand, which is how Simone was able to trick Jordan into thinking he had gotten her pregnant. However, the reality was that the baby's real father was unreliable. So, Simone thought Jordan would be a better match. It was only a matter of time before the truth came out, and even though Jordan was shocked, he still promised Simone that he would be there for her and the baby.

6 Spencer Gets Shot & Saves Olivia's Life

Season 2, Episode 10

All American season 2 was one for the books as it features another of The CW show's most shocking moments. In episode 10, "Protect Ya Neck," Spencer and Olivia were leaving her cotillion when a car drove by them and started shooting. Spencer shielded Olivia, and as a result, he got struck in his right shoulder. Thankfully, Spencer survived the attack. However, the episode ending with him bleeding out on the ground with a lifeless look in his eyes while Olivia cried and screamed for help was haunting and jaw-dropping.

5 The Friend Group's Trip To Las Vegas

Season 3, Episode 7

Perhaps one of All American's defining and most memorable episodes, "Roll the Dice" features many shocking moments, mostly because it finally showed viewers what really happened in Vegas. The season 3 premiere teased the friend group's Vegas trip over the summer, and it was clear that it wasn't exactly a successful vacation. Then, in episode 7, fans learned the truth.

Firstly, Jordan and Simone got married in Vegas. It was an impulsive decision they would later regret (seeing as they annulled their marriage before Simone went to college and earned her own spinoff — All American: Homecoming). However, perhaps the more exciting development came after the wedding ceremony. Spencer and Olivia went back to the hotel room, where he kissed her and told her he was in love with her. Unfortunately, Olivia turned him down as she was worried about how Layla and Asher would react to her and Spencer dating. Nevertheless, Spencer and Olivia's relationship would never be the same.

4 Mo Shoots Coop

Season 3, Episode 19

The All American season 3 finale left viewers with a couple of heavy, jaw-dropping cliffhangers, the first being Coop's fate. Towards the episode's end, Mo pulled a gun on Coop. Preach crept up behind Mo with his own gun, and while he was able to shoot her, he couldn't do so before Mo shot Coop. So, the finale concluded with Preach holding an unconscious Coop in his arms while Mo lay dead in the background. Unfortunately, fans had to wait until the season 4 premiere to learn if Coop survived (spoiler alert — she did).

3 Carrie Tries To Convince Layla To Jump Off A Cliff With Her

Season 4, Episode 1

Layla went through a lot in All American season 2, which led to her going to rehab for depression. There, she met Carrie, who turned out to be the worst person for Layla to bring into her life. Carrie was obsessed with Layla and essentially wanted her all to herself. She fully believed that they were the only two who understood each other, which resulted in Carrie attempting to persuade Layla to jump off a cliff with her.

During the shocking All American season 3 finale, Layla told Carrie she should visit her parents. Carrie begged Layla to come with her, and she agreed, so the two drove off together by the episode's end. Given Carrie's previous behavior and the eeriness of the situation, viewers knew something was wrong. Then, the season 4 premiere revealed that Carrie had Layla pull over to a Los Angeles lookout, where Carrie approached the edge of the cliff and tried to get Layla to jump with her. Ultimately, Layla convinced Carrie to step away from the edge, and the two survived.

2 Billy's Death

Season 5, Episode 11

Without a doubt, Billy's death in All American season 5, episode 11, "Time," is the show's most shocking moment. Billy had been a pivotal character in the sports drama since the beginning. He meant a lot to almost every character, including his two children, Jordan and Olivia, Spencer, and all his players. Consequently, Billy's death had a significant impact on the show and its characters.

South Crenshaw's football team traveled to a combine in All American season 5, episode 11, and on their way back, they got into an accident. Their bus blew a tire, resulting in the vehicle teetering off a cliff's edge. At first, the audience was made to believe that everyone got out safely. So, while the accident was a surprise, it didn't seem like it would be a game-changing moment in the series. Unfortunately, it was. Despite escaping the bus, Billy went back inside to save Jabari. He got Jabari out but died in the process, sacrificing his life for one of his players.

1 Jordan Learns Cassius Is His Cousin

Season 7, Episode 13

The show's most recent shocking moment (and perhaps last, depending on whether All American gets renewed for season 8) came during the season 7 finale. Jordan discovered that Cassius, Beverly Hills' football coach, is his cousin, meaning he's Billy's nephew. The revelation was surprising, to say the least, given that Cassius had been determined to destroy his uncle's legacy ever since he arrived in Los Angeles. We might never know the truth, given that All American season 7 ended without Jordan confronting his cousin.