Daniel Ezra Teases ‘Very Emotional’ ‘All American’ Finale (Exclusive)

Daniel Ezra teases a sentimental finale of All Americans.

The 33-year-old actor – who left the series as a series regular in 2024, but is still returning to live-action episodes – opened up about the CW drama’s conclusion and what fans can expect to see.

“I haven’t read [the script]but I heard it’s beautiful,” Ezra told PEOPLE at The running man premieres November 9. “I get calls from everyone saying, ‘I can’t stop crying’ to…however they ended it.”

“Apparently it’s very moving, very beautiful, and so I’m very excited,” he added.

He also revealed to PEOPLE that he will play a key role in the finale episode — even if it’s mostly behind the scenes.

“I actually get to direct the very last episode, which I can’t wait to see,” the A discovery of witches said an elder. “I’m very excited to bring it home, and I’m confident it’s going to give the fans the closure they want.”

Ezra also reflected on the impact that All Americans spoke to fans, noting that he always gets stopped on the street and asked questions about the show.

“You know that show, it came out during all of COVID, and it meant so much to so many people,” he said. “I still get stopped in the street [by] people tell me the show helped them get through COVID and that they grew up with the show, just like us.

Ezra, who played Spencer James, confirmed to PEOPLE in a June 2024 statement that he made the “difficult decision” to leave the series, calling season 6 “goodbye to Spencer.” Its final episode as a series regular aired on July 15.

His character’s journey ended with Spencer’s long-awaited wedding to Olivia (Samantha Logan), and the All Americans the star said Weekly Entertainment that he knew it was time for him to leave because they had “accomplished the mission down to Spencer’s story.”

“A lot of it was my instinct,” he said. “For me, the goal was always to take this broken teenager, put him back together, and then turn him into a man. We did that. We got him to the NFL, he got the girl. He made his dreams come true. He got to a place where he’s able to pass that wisdom on to a younger generation to give back to his community. He’s literally done everything he set out to do.”

Ezra said that although it “eluded him”, he was “a strong believer in winning, and when it came to Spencer’s story in particular, it felt right to him”.

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In his statement to PEOPLE, Ezra called Spencer “the most assertive character I’ve ever played,” adding, “I’ll miss him. I’ll miss our cast and crew. I hope it’s been as much fun watching him as playing him.”

“I think it’s safe to say there will be new people to fall in love with, a new generation to follow. I’m excited for them and I’m really happy for them. I can’t wait to guide them,” Ezra said. “It’s a strange thing to hand it over to other people. But there’s also a proud moment, sending your child to college too.”