All American: Hunter Clowdus Officially Exiting Ahead of Season 6 (Exclusive)
It’s official: The Vortex will be down one member when All American returns for Season 6.
TVLine has exclusively confirmed that Hunter Clowdus, who co-starred as football player JJ Parker since All American‘s debut, has exited the CW series ahead of its sixth season. A rep for the show tells us that JJ’s storyline “organically wrapped” at the end of last season.
All American viewers will recall that Clowdus’ character went through some growing pains in Season 5, as JJ joined a fraternity, developed a drinking habit and isolated himself from his friends amid Coach Baker’s tragic death. In the penultimate Season 5 episode, though, it appeared JJ was back on track after getting an intervention from his friends and moving back to the beach house to focus on his mental health.
And though this is the first official confirmation we’ve gotten of Clowdus’ departure, fans have been speculating about his potential exit during All American‘s extended hiatus, particularly after he appeared to unfollow several castmates on social media. In a reply to an Instagram comment last November, Clowdus told a fan that he “didn’t want to” leave the series and “wanted to give the fans and that character proper closure.”
“That said I began to feel very unwelcome there and it was really taking a toll on my mental health,” Clowdus wrote at the time. “I still wanted to come back for the fans but at the end of the day it was their decision to not continue JJ’s character.”
All American returns for its JJ-less sixth season on Monday, April 1, at 8/7c. Will you miss Clowdus in the new episodes?
Cutting costs. Have they announced this is the last season?
Best of luck to him but JJ was my least favorite on the show.
Agreed. No offense to the actor, he did a great job with what they gave him. But I never quite understood why the friend group ever tolerated JJ.
I don’t think they ever knew what to do with JJ, so I’m not surprised.
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I still am trying to understand what the writers were trying to do with some back-to-back episodes where JJ was depressed, drinking, needed tutoring, got tutored by a gay college student and seemed to make a new friend that opened JJ’s eyes to a few things … and then that new friend/tutor disappeared and nothing came of it. It left me confused about both JJ and their plans…
I liked JJ. I was always rooting for him. As a previous person it seemed like the last 2 seasons the writers didn’t know what to do with Hunter character. He was all over place. I wish him well in his future endeavors. He’ll persevere!!
No. Character was very annoying and most of the time insensitive.
Yes JJ character will be missed! I know why he left the show and applauded him for standing up for himself. When one door closes God will open another.
I like JJ’s character, as it adds depth to college life. The fact is that a lot of college jocks have less than seemly habits, like drinking, .To highlight this in the show, gives clear indication that the writers are aligning with everyday reality, and not sugarcoating, or leaving out real facts of college life. Diversity is also a factor. AA had been a frontrunner in adding dimension to the show, by including cast diversity. Why change, what’s working? And then, there’s the closure for the fans thing …it’s horrible to have a character just dissappear for no apparent reason?
I don’t want JJ to leave he is the glue yo the Vortex his character represented true friendship and he showed some real life issues with mental health, and real life issues. He is very important I love his humor
Without JJ it would be really weird! He is The Party Event Planner for many of their events. It would feel like a piece missing.
Yes I will, he played just as a bigger part to the story line as others.
How much money could they possibly be saving by cutting him out . stupid call
It’s not money.
He spoke on his Twitch about it. He said he was asked to do something with JJ’s story that he doesn’t agree with.
From context it seems that he doesn’t want to play gay.
Wow to be homophobic in 2024 is quite a choice. Good riddance to him.
That’s terrible you’re leaving us because you bring so much fun and happiness to the show!! We need your positive attitude and you’re such a cutie!! We were waiting to see your relationship develop with someone.
I will miss JJ he add a fun loving persona
GOOD FOR BRING JOY OUT TO MORE OF THE SERIOUS CHARACTERS IN THE STORY. He will be missed.
How is Coop not everyone’s least favourite character?
Yes, I will miss his character! Prayfully, they will consider bringing him back,
Wish that JJ could continue with the vortex and grow and develop into a strong person like the other members of the vortex. I loved him because he had a great personality ♥️
I kind of figured something was up when they killed off Taye Diggs and his character was important and much needed in every episode, he was the coach who went the extra mile for his players, I think that they need to bring him back and write JJ a stronger character because he wasn’t really given the spotlight like everyone else.
If they need to get rid of someone then please take Olivia with all of her indecisiveness and awkward facial expressions.
Aaaw man imma miss jj…he was the livest one outta them all especially with the partying bring him back!!
I’m going to jj he was an eye candy to look at and I like his story line