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The Crossover (TV series)

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The Crossover
Genre
Created byDamani Johnson
Based onThe Crossover
by Kwame Alexander
Starring
  • Jalyn Hall
  • Amir O’Neil
  • Derek Luke
  • Sabrina Revelle
  • Skyla I'Lece
  • Deja Monique Cruz
  • Trevor Raine Bush
Narrated byDaveed Diggs
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8
Production
Executive producers
Editors
  • Ciarán Michael Vejby
  • Leah Breuer
  • Luis Colina
  • Michael Hathaway
Production companies
Original release
NetworkDisney+
ReleaseApril 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)

The Crossover is an American sports drama television series based on the novel of the same name by Kwame Alexander. It was released on April 5, 2023 on Disney+.

It received two nominations at the 2nd Children's and Family Emmy Awards, winning Outstanding Young Teen Series.

Premise

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Brothers Josh and Jordan "JB" Bell are considered basketball phenomena, and navigate their lives entering adulthood as well as the growth of their family.

Cast

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Main

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  • Jalyn Hall as Josh Bell (nicknamed Filthy McNasty)
  • Amir O'Neil as Jordan "JB" Bell
  • Derek Luke as Chuck Bell
  • Sabrina Revelle as Crystal Bell
  • Skyla I'Lece as Alexis
  • Deja Monique Cruz as Maya
  • Trevor Raine Bush as Vondie

Recurring

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  • Himie Freeman as Future Josh
  • Darone Okolie as Future JB
  • Joel Steingold as Basil St. John
  • Johnny Cantley as Future Vondie
  • Yvonne Senat Jones as Janice
  • Brandon Sutton as Gio
  • Elijah Jacob as Zuma
  • Will Koberg as Coach Howard

Guest

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  • Gabriela Lopez as Future Maya

Episodes

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No.TitleDirected byTeleplay by [1]Original release date [2]
1"X's & O's"George Tillman, Jr.Kwame Alexander & Damani JohnsonApril 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)
2"The Cold Streak"James Roday RodriguezDamani Johnson & Kwame AlexanderApril 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)
3"One-On-One"James Roday RodriguezValerie C. WoodsApril 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)
4"Time Out"Nefertite NguvuJake LawlerApril 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)
5"Huddle Up"Nefertite NguvuJasmine SwiftApril 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)
6"Full-Court Press"Erin O'MalleyAli KinneyApril 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)
7"Clutch"Erin O'MalleyAaron CarterApril 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)
8"Rebound"Cierra GlaudeKwame Alexander & Valerie C. WoodsApril 5, 2023 (2023-04-05)

Production

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Disney+ ordered a pilot for the adaptation of the novel in May 2021, with Jalyn Hall and Amir O'Neil cast to star.[3] In June, Derek Luke, Sabrina Revelle, Skyla I'Lece, Deja Monique Cruz and Trevor Raine Bush were added to the cast.[4] The series was officially greenlit in January 2022, with LeBron James' production company SpringHill Entertainment joining the production.[5] In February, Daveed Diggs was cast to narrate the series.[6] In July, it was announced Darone Okolie, Gabriela Lopez, Joel Steingold, Himie Freeman, and Johnny Cantley were cast in recurring roles.[7] Yvonne Senat Jones would also join in a recurring role in October.[8] Filming began in June 2022.[9]

On January 13, 2023, it was announced that the series would premiere on April 5, 2023 on Disney+. It was originally slated to premiere on April 4, 2023 on Disney Channel, but the show was suddenly removed from their programming schedule for unknown reasons.[10][11]

Reception

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Critical response

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Joel Keller of Decider stated, "The Crossover is a warm family dramedy with just enough of the drama part to keep us interested in following the Bells as they navigate life, school and hoops."[12] Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter complimented the performances of the cast and the emphasis on Afrocentric culture, writing, "The Crossover generates some satisfying emotional beats, blends its coming-of-age and adult storylines well and, as derivative as some of its individual pieces may feel, its overall voice is likably distinctive."[13] Joyce Slaton of Common Sense Media gave the series a grade of 4 out of 5 stars, praised the presence of positive messages and role models, citing hard work, family values, and social emotion learning, and complimented the diverse representations, asserting, "Family-friendly sports drama scores with heartfelt emotions."[14]

Accolades

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The Crossover was nominated for Tweens/Teens Programming – Best New Series,[15] and won Tweens/Teens Programming – Best Inclusivity at the 2024 Kidscreen Awards.[16]

References

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  1. ^ "The Crossover". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  2. ^ "Shows A-Z – The Crossover on Disney+". The Futon Critic. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
  3. ^ Petski, Denise (May 21, 2021). "The Crossover: Jalyn Hall & Amir O'Neil To Star In Disney+ Pilot Based On Kwame Alexander Book". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  4. ^ Petski, Denise (June 9, 2021). "The Crossover: Derek Luke, Sabrina Revelle Among 5 Cast In Disney+ Pilot Based On Kwame Alexander Book". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  5. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 20, 2022). "The Crossover: Disney+ Picks Up Kwame Alexander's Basketball Drama To Series; LeBron James Joins As EP". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  6. ^ White, Peter (February 8, 2022). "Daveed Diggs To Narrate Disney+ Basketball Series The Crossover". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  7. ^ Cordero, Rosy (July 7, 2022). "The Crossover: Darone Okolie, Joel Steingold Among 5 New Recurring Cast Joining Disney+ Basketball Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
  8. ^ Cordero, Rosy (October 14, 2022). "The Crossover: Yvonne Senat Jones Boards Disney+ Basketball Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
  9. ^ Otterson, Joe (January 20, 2022). "Disney Plus Orders Kwame Alexander Basketball Drama The Crossover to Series, LeBron James Boards as Executive Producer". Variety. Retrieved February 23, 2022.
  10. ^ Rouse, Isaac (January 13, 2023). "Here's Our First Look at Disney's 'Prom Pact,' 'The Crossover,' & National Geographic's 'A Small Light.'". TV Insider. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  11. ^ Gilmore, Haylee (March 25, 2023). "Best TV Series Coming to Disney+ in April 2023". MovieWeb. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  12. ^ Keller, Joel (April 5, 2023). "'The Crossover' Disney Plus Review: Stream It Or Skip It?". Decider. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  13. ^ Fienberg, Daniel (April 4, 2023). "'The Crossover' Review: Disney+'s Coming-of-Age Basketball Drama Is Most Engaging off the Court". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  14. ^ Slaton, Joyce. "The Crossover TV Review | Common Sense Media". Common Sense Media. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  15. ^ "Kidscreen Awards 2024 NOMINEES". Kidscreen Awards. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  16. ^ Dickson, Jeremy (February 5, 2024). "BREAKING NEWS: Announcing 2024's Kidscreen Awards winners". Kidscreen. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
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