Created by Melanie Halsall.
My Life with the Walter Boys premiered on December 7, 2023.
Distributed by Netflix.
Series Review
My Life with the Walter Boys is a warm guilty pleasure teen drama about grief, family and messy first love.
Jackie’s move from New York to a sprawling Colorado ranch sets the stage for a slow burning love triangle and a tight knit clan that feels lived in.
Season 1 introduces Jackie, the Walter brothers and the town, trading glossy romance beats for earnest performances. Nikki Rodriguez anchors the series with quiet pain while the brothers juggle jealousy, loyalty and growing pains.
Season 2 leans into consequence and consequence forces choices that feel earned even when the plot turns familiar.
Romantic lines shift, friendships fray and the show adds sharper stakes while keeping its comfort core.
Pacing can wobble and some arcs feel predictable but the cast sells the emotion and the setting is a soothing backdrop.
Watch for cozy drama, earnest romance and a family you grow fond of.
Ratings
• IMDb: 6.9/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 54%
• Google Audience Score: 75% liked this TV show.
My Life with the Walter Boys Actors
Nikki Rodriguez as Jackie Howard
DOB: December 17, 2002.
Bio: American actress who gained international attention as the lead in Netflix’s YA series My Life with the Walter Boys.
Before her breakout, she appeared in smaller television roles and short films, steadily honing her craft.
Rodriguez has quickly become recognized for her ability to portray layered, emotionally vulnerable characters with authenticity, particularly in teen and coming-of-age dramas.
Role: Jackie Howard is the series’ central character, a smart, displaced New York teenager who must adapt to rural Colorado after the tragic loss of her family.
Living with the large Walter clan, Jackie’s journey blends grief, resilience, and the messy, funny dynamics of growing up.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (20 episodes).
What to Expect: Grounded, quietly emotional work; the role asks her to shift between vulnerability and small, fierce acts of loyalty.
Favorite Things: Rodriguez has mentioned enjoying jalapeño kettle chips as her go-to snack on set, along with travel as a way to decompress.
She also values music as a source of balance in her daily life.
Notable Works: On My Block, Back to Lyla.
Noah LaLonde as Cole Walter
DOB: March 22, 1998.
Bio: American actor from Michigan who began his career in theatre before transitioning into film and television.
Known for his strong screen presence and ability to convey complex, brooding characters, LaLonde quickly became a fan favorite as Cole Walter in Netflix’s My Life with the Walter Boys.
Role: Cole Walter is the enigmatic, emotionally guarded eldest Walter son.
Haunted by past struggles and carrying an air of mystery, Cole’s dynamic with Jackie Howard forms one side of the central love triangle
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (20 episodes).
What to Expect: Quietly charged scenes, simmering tension and slow reveals about motives and loyalty.
Favorite Things: LaLonde has spoken about his roots in sports and theatre, highlighting how both shaped his discipline and approach to acting.
Notable Works: The Smile I Wear, Deer Camp ‘86.
Ashby Gentry as Alex Walter
DOB: July 30, 1999.
Bio: American actor building his career through television roles, gaining recognition for his grounded and sincere performances.
With a natural charm and relatability, he embodies characters who balance warmth with quiet strength.
Role: Alex Walter is the dependable, steady son of the Walter family, often seen as the “safe” counterpart in the love triangle with Jackie Howard and his brother Cole.
Kind, responsible, and deeply loyal, Alex offers Jackie stability and affection while grappling with his own insecurities.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (20 episodes).
What to Expect: Emotional honesty, heartfelt relationship dynamics, and lighter comic beats that balance the more intense moments of the story.
Favorite Things: He’s described loving ensemble work and working with physical stunt coaches for ranch scenes.
Notable Works: Mooch, Are You Afraid of the Dark?
Johnny Link as Will Walter
DOB: January 24, 1994.
Bio: American actor and musician with a strong background in theater and live performance.
A graduate of Penn State University’s musical theater program, he has built his career across stage, television, and music, bringing versatility and discipline to each role.
Link is also a guitarist and singer-songwriter, maintaining music as a parallel passion alongside acting.
Role: Will Walter is the eldest of the Walter brothers, carrying the weight of responsibility for the family’s ranch and future.
Ambitious, pragmatic, and protective, he often serves as a stabilizing force among his siblings.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (20 episodes).
What to Expect: Leadership under pressure, sibling dynamics, and the challenges of juggling family duty, personal ambition, and love.
Favorite Things: Link has shared his love for music as a creative outlet beyond acting, often integrating guitar playing and songwriting into his life.
Notable Works: My Life with the Walter Boys; theatre and music projects.
Corey Fogelmanis as Nathan Walter
DOB: August 13, 1999.
Bio: American actor from Thousand Oaks, California. He began acting at a young age, training in theater before moving into television, where he quickly rose to prominence as Farkle Minkus on the Disney Channel series Girl Meets World.
Known for his ability to blend humor with heartfelt emotion, Fogelmanis has since expanded into more mature roles, taking on projects in both film and streaming television.
Role: Nathan Walter is one of the younger Walter siblings, known for his warmth, loyalty, and individuality.
He is given significant storylines that explore friendship, romance, and living with illness.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (20 episodes).
What to Expect: A balance of heartfelt vulnerability and witty humor, with storylines that highlight acceptance, resilience, and family bonds.
Favorite Things: He’s spoken in past interviews about music, dance and staying close to family; he often highlights roles that let him grow.
Notable Works: Girl Meets World, PrankMe, I Wish You All the Best.
Connor Stanhope as Danny Walter
DOB: March 10, 1998.
Bio: Canadian actor from Ottawa, Ontario. He began acting as a child, earning early recognition for his recurring role as young Lex Luthor on Smallville.
Over the years, he has built a steady career in Canadian television, particularly in family dramas, crime series, and holiday films.
Role: Danny Walter is one of the Walter brothers, Cole’s twin, whose playful, prankster energy adds humor and warmth to the family dynamic.
He harbors dreams of becoming an actor, which gives his character an extra layer of personality and ambition.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (20 episodes).
What to Expect: Comic sibling banter, heartfelt family loyalty, and moments that highlight Danny’s creative aspirations alongside the weight of being part of such a large household.
Favorite Things: Stanhope has spoken about starting his career very young and valuing ensemble storytelling.
Notable Works: The Shrine, When Calls the Heart, Garage Sale Mysteries.
Zoë Soul as Hayley Young
DOB: November 1, 1995.
Bio: American actress and singer born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She began her career as a dancer and transitioned into acting, gaining attention with roles in both television and film.
Her breakout came with Prisoners (2013), where she played Eliza Birch in Denis Villeneuve’s acclaimed thriller.
Role: Hayley Young is Will Walter’s fiancée and later wife.
She balances warmth, independence, and sharp wit, often grounding Will while navigating the complexities of the Walter family dynamic.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (12 episodes).
What to Expect: Mature scenes about compromise, career and love in a large family.
Favorite Things: Background interviews highlight her film work and commitment to layered characters.
Notable Works: Prisoners, The Purge: Anarchy, Reed Between the Lines.
Jaylan Evans as Skylar Summerhill
DOB: February 3, 1999.
Bio: American actor and voice artist born in Greensboro, North Carolina. He trained in musical theatre and performing arts before transitioning to television and voice work.
Evans is known for his versatility, moving between dramatic roles and animated projects.
Role: Skylar Summerhill, an ambitious and academically driven teen who balances school pressures with being a loyal friend to Jackie and Nathan.
He brings sincerity, warmth, and youthful energy to the character.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (20 episodes).
What to Expect: School-centered storylines, leadership in teen dynamics, and growth as Skylar navigates friendship, ambition, and early romance.
Favorite Things: In interviews, Evans has mentioned his roots in community theatre, his passion for ensemble storytelling, and the joy of working across both stage and screen.
Notable Works: Spirit Rangers (voice), Power Book III: Raising Kanan.
Ellie O’Brien as Grace
DOB: N/A
Bio: Canadian actress who has appeared in a handful of television projects and streaming dramas.
While still early in her career, she has gained recognition for bringing warmth and relatability to teen-focused roles.
Role: Grace, Jackie’s upbeat and supportive friend in Silver Falls. Grace is written as approachable, light-hearted, and socially grounded, helping Jackie navigate her new world while adding comic charm to teen group dynamics.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (18 episodes).
What to Expect: Light, friendly supporting beats and moments that humanize Jackie’s new circle.
Favorite Things: O’Brien has mentioned stage training and working across teen drama projects.
Notable Works: Grand Army, Designated Survivor.
Sarah Rafferty as Katherine Walter
DOB: December 6, 1972.
Bio: American actress with a distinguished career on stage and screen.
A graduate of Yale School of Drama, she trained extensively in classical theatre before transitioning into television, where she built a reputation for wit, elegance, and emotional depth.
Role: Katherine Walter, a veterinarian who becomes Jackie Howard’s guardian after tragedy strikes.
Katherine is the heart and stabilizing force of the Walter household, navigating the challenges of raising a sprawling family while offering Jackie a sense of belonging.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (20 episodes).
What to Expect: Warm, layered work that grounds the series in real parental worry and love.
Favorite Things: In interviews, Rafferty often mentions her love for theatre, strong collaborative sets, and family time.
Notable Works: Suits, Grey’s Anatomy, Bones, and Chicago Med.
Marc Blucas as George Walter
DOB: January 11, 1972.
Bio: American actor and former college basketball player who transitioned into acting after playing Division I basketball at Wake Forest University.
He gained early recognition for his role as Riley Finn on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and has since built a steady career in film and television, often cast as reliable, down-to-earth characters.
Role: George Walter, Katherine’s husband and Jackie’s guardian.
As the head of the Walter household, George manages both the financial pressures of running the ranch and the emotional demands of raising a large family.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (20 episodes).
What to Expect: Scenes of family leadership, moral compromise and the strain of keeping a large household afloat.
Favorite Things: Blucas has often spoken about his love of sports, outdoor life, and the importance of family.
Notable Works: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, First Daughter, Necessary Roughness.
Dean Petriw as Jordan Walter
DOB: July 5, 2008.
Bio: Canadian actor who began acting at a very young age, appearing in commercials before moving into television and film.
He has built a diverse résumé that includes voice work, family dramas, and appearances in popular genre projects.
Role: Jordan Walter, one of the younger siblings in the large Walter family.
Jordan brings a child’s-eye curiosity and creativity to the series, often capturing moments of innocence and humor within the household.
Seasons & Episodes: Seasons 1–2 (11 episodes).
What to Expect: A believable and natural performance that adds youthful perspective, sibling warmth, and moments of heartwarming levity to balance the show’s heavier teen drama.
Favorite Things: In interviews, Petriw has mentioned his interests in filmmaking and photography. He is also a soccer fan and supports the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Notable Works: Home Before Dark, StarBeam (voice role), Sonic the Hedgehog.
More Actors
Season 1
• Alisha Newton as Erin.
• Alex Quijano as Richard.
• Isaac Arellanes as Isaac Garcia.
• Myles Perez as Lee Garcia.
• Ashley Holliday Tavares as Tara (guidance counselor).
• Lennix James as Benny Walter.
• Alix West Lefler as Parker Walter.
• Madison Brydges as Paige.
• Gabrielle Jacinto as Olivia.
• Mya Lowe as Kiley.
• Jesse Lipscombe as Coach Allen.
• Kolton Stewart as Dylan.
• Moheb Jindran as Nikhil Choudry (teacher).
• Nathaniel Arcand as Mato Summerhill.
Season 2
• Natalie Sharp as Blake Hartford (B. Hartford).
• Carson MacCormac as Zach.
• Janet Kidder as Joanne Wagner.
• Jake Manley as Wylder Holt.
• Riele Downs as Maria.
FAQ – My Life with the Walter Boys TV Series
Is there a Season 3?
Yes, My Life with the Walter Boys has been officially renewed for a third season.
Production began even before Season 2 premiered, and Season 3 is expected to premiere in 2026.
It will continue exploring the fallout from the dramatic Season 2 finale cliffhanger.
More on Decider
Where is the show filmed?
Though set in Colorado, My Life with the Walter Boys is filmed entirely in Alberta, Canada. Locations include Calgary, Cochrane, Crossfield, and Kananaskis Country.
What’s the controversy around Nikki Rodriguez’s age?
Actor Nikki Rodriguez, who plays 15-year-old Jackie, is actually around 33 years old, according to public records.
Despite widespread reports listing her as much younger, the discrepancy hasn’t been formally addressed by the star.
How does the TV series differ from the book?
The Netflix adaptation introduces several changes from Ali Novak’s novel.
Notable differences include a smaller count of Walter children, new characters (like Tara and Nikhil), delayed romantic beats, a new subplot involving financial strain, and an altered ending where Jackie leaves for New York after a cliffhanger kiss, rather than a peaceful resolution.
Conclusion
My Life with the Walter Boys succeeds as a heartfelt teen drama that balances grief, love, and the chaos of growing up.
While it plays with familiar tropes, the show stands out because of its strong ensemble cast, authentic emotional beats, and the way it portrays family bonds as messy yet unbreakable.
With each season, the story deepens and the characters become more layered, giving viewers reasons to keep rooting for Jackie and the Walters.
Whether you come for the romance, the sibling dynamics, or the small-town charm, this series offers a comforting yet engaging watch that leaves you eager for more.