| The Crossover | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | |
| Created by | Damani Johnson |
| Based on | The Crossover by Kwame Alexander |
| Starring |
|
| Narrated by | Daveed Diggs |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 8 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Editors |
|
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | Disney+ |
| Release | April 5, 2023 |
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+.[1][2]
Premise
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
Main
- 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
- 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
- Gabriela Lopez as Future Maya
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Teleplay by [3] | Original release date [4] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "X's & O's" | George Tillman, Jr. | Kwame Alexander & Damani Johnson | April 5, 2023 |
| 2 | "The Cold Streak" | James Roday Rodriguez | Damani Johnson & Kwame Alexander | April 5, 2023 |
| 3 | "One-On-One" | James Roday Rodriguez | Valerie C. Woods | April 5, 2023 |
| 4 | "Time Out" | Nefertite Nguvu | Jake Lawler | April 5, 2023 |
| 5 | "Huddle Up" | Nefertite Nguvu | Jasmine Swift | April 5, 2023 |
| 6 | "Full-Court Press" | Erin O'Malley | Ali Kinney | April 5, 2023 |
| 7 | "Clutch" | Erin O'Malley | Aaron Carter | April 5, 2023 |
| 8 | "Rebound" | Cierra Glaude | Kwame Alexander & Valerie C. Woods | April 5, 2023 |
Production
Disney+ ordered a pilot for the adaptation of the novel in May 2021, with Jalyn Hall and Amir O'Neil cast to star.[5] In June, Derek Luke, Sabrina Revelle, Skyla I'Lece, Deja Monique Cruz and Trevor Raine Bush were added to the cast.[6] The series was officially greenlit in January 2022, with LeBron James' production company SpringHill Entertainment joining the production.[7] In February, Daveed Diggs was cast to narrate the series.[8] In July, it was announced Darone Okolie, Gabriela Lopez, Joel Steingold, Himie Freeman, and Johnny Cantley were cast in recurring roles.[9] Yvonne Senat Jones would also join in a recurring role in October.[10] Filming began in June 2022.[11]
On January 13, 2023, it was announced that the series would premiere on April 5, 2023 on Disney+.[1]
Reception
Critical response
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]
References
- 1 2 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.
- ↑ Gilmore, Haylee (March 25, 2023). "Best TV Series Coming to Disney+ in April 2023". MovieWeb. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ↑ "The Crossover". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ↑ "Shows A-Z – The Crossover on Disney+". The Futon Critic. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ White, Peter (February 8, 2022). "Daveed Diggs To Narrate Disney+ Basketball Series The Crossover". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Cordero, Rosy (October 14, 2022). "The Crossover: Yvonne Senat Jones Boards Disney+ Basketball Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Keller, Joel (April 5, 2023). "'The Crossover' Disney Plus Review: Stream It Or Skip It?". Decider. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ Slaton, Joyce. "The Crossover TV Review | Common Sense Media". Common Sense Media. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
