All American buries Billy Baker while focusing on his wifes grief in a powerful Laura-centric episode.
WARNING: This post contains spoilers from the Feb. 20 episode ofAll American, “Lost One.”
Laura Baker’s (Monet Mazur) grief is understandably running deep.
Monet Mazur on ‘All American’.Troy Harvey/The CW
All Americanbegan processing theloss of Billy Baker(Taye Diggs) with an episode that explored Laura’s pain.
In the hour, the Bakers' village comes together to plan Billy’s funeral.
We spoke to Mazur about the emotional hour and what’s ahead onAll American.
Troy Harvey/The CW
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: This was such an emotional episode for you.
What was your first reaction to reading the script?
MONET MAZUR:The episode is focused on Laura and her grief.
It’s very daunting.
It’s definitely a heavier-toned episode than we usually shoot in certain aspects.
Laura is dealing with losing her husband, her partner, her best friend, her children’s father.
It was very surreal to shoot.
Was there a scene or moment that was particularly difficult to film?
That was a pivotal moment for Laura’s character because we’ve never seen her lose control or composure.
She’s the one always fixing things, that can handle everything, and comes up with the solution.
She’s very even-keeled.
I don’t think I’ve ever raised my voice as [Laura].
The look on their faces was really heartbreaking.
Laura and Willie (Brent Jennings) have some incredible moments in this episode.
What was like working with Brent?
That was actually one of the most lovely parts of shooting that episode.
Brent has come on and off since the beginning and our characters have grown closer through the seasons.
He really carried me through this episode.
He was so giving and present in all those scenes.
What was shooting that emotional funeral scene like for you and the cast?
It was surreal because there was a casket and pictures of Taye around.
We’ve filmed a few things in that church before, so it was a familiar space.
Everybody was just in their own headspace, so it was more quiet.
It was the first episode we shot without Taye and it just didn’t seem real.
He’s a huge presence to lose.
Laura has a strong reaction to seeing Jabari.
Can you tease where their journey goes from here?
It’s going to change the direction of how she practices law a little bit.
You will get to see that this season and it will be an interesting new direction for Laura.
There’s a moment where Laura is looking back on when she renewed her vows with Billy.
What were some of your favorite Laura-Billy moments working with Taye?
I’ve never had so much fun at work with someone.
We laughed so much over the past five seasons.
I remember when we did the scene where we’re back together and we’re hiding it.
He hides behind the couch and I knock over a lamp.
All Americanairs Mondays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.
