All American has taken its final bow after eight seasons, but Preach still has plenty to preach about!
On the latest episode of The Black Watch, BOSSIP and CASSIUS’ editorial-led entertainment series, actor Kareem Grimes dishes on the show’s eight seasons, the real-life men who inspired Preach’s powerful legacy and his undeniable Hollywood staying power.
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BOSSIP’s Managing Editor Dani Canada was joined by actor Jeremie Rivers and executive producer Serita Wesley to discuss Kareem’s unexpected eight-season run, behind-the-scenes bonds, and the Hollywood hustle that’s kept him booked and busy for decades.
Inspired by the life of former NFL player Spencer Paysinger, All American followed a talented football player from South Los Angeles who was recruited to play at Beverly Hills High School. The CW drama concluded in September, ending a series Kareem initially expected to be a much shorter gig.
“No, I didn’t,” Kareem said when Dani asked whether he’d imagined the show lasting eight seasons. “Literally, when I got the audition, it was just like, ‘Preach, one to two episodes.’”
As it turns out, Kareem had some familiar faces in his corner long before joining the cast.
The actor revealed that he’d previously worked with showrunner Nkechi Okoro Carroll on an episode of Bones, where he portrayed a young amputee from Sierra Leone. He’d also developed a relationship with All American writer Jamie Turner years earlier while auditioning for The Shield.
When the role of Preach came along, both creatives independently thought of Kareem without realizing they were championing the same actor.
“They’re talking about, ‘Oh, I got somebody who can play this role. Oh, I got somebody who can play this role,’ not knowing that they were talking about me,” he recalled.
What started as a potential two-episode appearance ultimately became an eight-season journey, and one that carried a deeply personal meaning for the actor.
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When Dani asked what he’d miss most about playing Preach, Kareem revealed that the character was inspired by two men who helped steer him away from gang life while growing up in Inglewood, California.
“I think it’s really just paying homage to these two brothers who looked after me when I was coming up, who I’m still close with today,” he explained.
“They’re husbands, fathers, incredible individuals, but at that time, they were definitely in that lifestyle,” he continued, explaining that the men recognized his potential and encouraged him to take a different path.
“This is kind of like my love letter to them, to say thank you.”
Jeremie noted that Preach initially appeared to fit the stereotypical gangster mold before evolving into a layered character grappling with his past and pursuing a better future.
Kareem said that transformation felt authentic because he knew men whose lives mirrored Preach’s complicated journey.
“I know a bunch of Preaches. I think we all know a bunch of Preaches,” he said.
He pointed to an early scene in which Preach quotes Greek mythology and reveals he’d been reading books while incarcerated, a detail that hinted at the intelligence beneath his hardened exterior.
For Kareem, those moments helped establish that Preach was more than his mistakes.
He was especially proud of the character’s evolution into a father and mentor, a portrayal he believes remains important for Black representation on television.
“We don’t see enough of Black fathers, or fathers being fathers to their kids on TV, especially Black men,” he said.
Still, despite all of Preach’s personal progress, Kareem admitted there was one thing missing from his storyline; a little love for the post-prison preacher man.
“I wanted Preach to have a love interest,” he revealed.
“Mrs. Preach!” Jeremie chimed in.
“Give him a lady!” Dani added with a laugh.
Kareem explained that while viewers saw Preach navigate fatherhood and his complicated relationship with Mo, played by Erica Peeples, they never got a full glimpse of his romantic side.
“You see the side of Preach as a father, but what is he like in a relationship?” he wondered.
While Preach’s personal life wasn’t always picture-perfect, Kareem said life behind the scenes was full of laughs and a family-like atmosphere.
When Serita asked whether the cast was full of pranksters or serious thespians, Kareem credited Taye Diggs with keeping things light.
“I didn’t realize how funny Taye is,” he said. “I was just like, ‘Oh, this dude is hilarious.’”
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He also revealed that his big-brother bond with Bre-Z, who played Coop, continued long after the cameras stopped rolling.
And apparently, the actress has another talent that deserves its own spotlight.
“What I really found out is that Breezy can really cook,” Kareem shared.
He recalled that around the show’s fourth or fifth season, Bre-Z began inviting him over for elaborate meals.
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“I’m talking about she’s cooking full-course meals,” he said, adding that she had even explored developing a cooking show.
Beyond All American, Kareem has built an extensive Hollywood résumé spanning more than 100 acting credits, including collaborations with the late John Singleton.
Dani asked the veteran actor what he credits for his staying power in an industry where fame can be fleeting and opportunities aren’t guaranteed.
His answer? Patience, perspective, and knowing the business.
“I know with this business, it is a marathon and not a sprint,” he said.
Having started his career in the 1980s, Kareem credited his parents with giving him the foundation to navigate Hollywood’s highs and lows without getting caught up in its distractions.
He also emphasized the importance of observing industry veterans and learning from their successes and missteps.
Ultimately, Kareem said his passion for acting has always outweighed the pursuit of fame.
“It’s about the work for me,” he explained. “The accolades and the awards and all that, that’s cool. But for me, it is the respect of my peers for the work that I do, and that people connect with it and love what I do. That’s what matters to me.”
Watch The Black Watch talk all things All American with Kareem below!
