Disney’s “The Crossover” is a Disney+ original series based on the best-selling novel by Kwame Alexander that premiered on April 5th, 2023. In an exclusive virtual press event, Alcorn Mass Communications major, Joy Thornton, was selected to screen the first episode of the show and submit feedback for a Question-and-Answer session with the cast and creator of the show on Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023. Narrated by Daveed Diggs and Executive produced by Lebron James, the show is about twin brothers played by Jalyn Hall and Amir O’Neil and their basketball family.
Cast members Derek Luke, Sabrina Revelle, Jalyn Hall, and Amir O’Neil were present during the press event. The twins’ mother, played by Revelle, is the principal of their school, and their dad, a retired National Basketball Association (NBA) player is played by Luke. The twins battle to find themselves and define what basketball means to them. Dontaira Terrell moderated the event and she focused on the cast and their relationship to their characters, and what makes this series different from other Disney+ series.
It took years before Alexander got his novel picked up for television. He knew when it landed at Disney+ that the waiting was worth it. “The Crossover” Red Carpet Premiere took place on April 4th, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.
Alexander shared on the red carpet, “Never allow other people to lower your goals and always shoot for the sun, and eventually you will shine.”
He wants the audience of “The Crossover” to learn from the mistakes of the characters. Like us, they are not perfect. They represent a successful black family, and that is great to see on screen. The family aspect is one of the most important parts of the show. Luke, who plays the father, highlighted this at the Red Carpet Premiere.
“The dad is the soul, the boys are the heart, and the mom is the brain. The Bell family are like diamonds that reflect all different sides,” said Luke.
All 8 episodes of this coming-of-age original show are currently streaming on Disney+.
Cast and Executive Producers of “The Crossover”
(L-R) Kwame Alexander, Trevor Raine Bush, Jalyn Hall, Derek Luke, Sabrina Revelle, Amir O’Neil, Skyla I’Lece, Damani Johnson, Deja Monique Cruz, Kimberly A. Harrison