Taye Diggs set to return to All American ahead of its 100th episode on The CW

It’s a big surprise for All American fans as Taye Diggs will be returning to the series. Just how is Billy Baker coming back?

When All American debuted on the CW in 2018, Taye Diggs was the big name in the cast as Billy Baker, former football player turned coach. He was a mentor to the main character, Spencer James (Daniel Ezra), and handled various changes, including moving to a prime college coaching position.

Billy was in many ways the heart of the series, which made it so shocking that, with no advance warning, Diggs left the show in Season 5. In the powerful episode “Time,” a bus of South Crenshaw players crashed by a cliff on the way back from an event. Billy managed to get everyone off safely but was unable to escape himself before the bus plunged into a ravine.

The rest of Season 5 dealt with the fallout of everyone being deeply shaken by Bill’s passing. Season 6 jumps the show ahead a year and a half later, with Billy’s widow Laura (Monet Mazur) recently considering getting back into the dating world. 

Diggs parted ways with the show on good terms and even said he’d be happy to return in some capacity. It looks like that will happen, as TV Line reports Diggs will appear in the May 20 episode, which comes right before All American’s landmark 100th episode on May 27. The big question is how it happens.

How is Billy returning to All American?

Given how definitive Billy’s death was, it’s pretty obvious he hasn’t somehow returned from the grave. The obvious explanation is that this is some sort of flashback to honor the show’s run. Recent episodes have shown Olivia (Samantha Logan) writing a biography of her dad, so it’s logical that she hears some stories about Billy and Diggs showing up.

This has a chance to insert new scenes of Billy as a mentor and friend to various characters, especially Spencer. While having him pop up as some sort of ghostly dream character is also a possibility, All American tends to be more grounded than that. Thus, having Olivia relate more tales of how her dad helped people out is the best bet.

This can be good with the characters reflecting on what Billy meant to them and perhaps touches like Laura realizing he'd be okay with her moving on to a new love and Spencer aiding others.

It will be good for Diggs to return as All American hasn’t been the same without Billy’s warm presence. It’s also a great tribute to the show’s long run and his return, however brief, is a celebration of All American’s past as the characters also look to the future. 

All American Season 6 airs Mondays at 8/7c on The CW.