Sweethearts Cast & Character Guide

Warning: This article includes minor spoilers for Sweethearts.

Sweethearts includes a cast led by star Kiernan Shipka but is otherwise comprised of up-and-coming actors who show their potential. The Max original movie puts a twist on the holiday rom-com by centering it on Thanksgiving – a holiday that’s otherwise been ignored by the genre. Though Sweetheart’s reviews are mixed, the movie will appeal to fans of the anti-rom-com – which follows rom-com tropes and formulas while subverting expectations and challenging the realistic nature of the genre. The films in this sub-genre have messier main characters, show imperfect love, and have different conclusions about popular themes.

Sweethearts hits all the right notes for the anti-rom-com, exploring two best friends as they make a pact to break up with their high school sweethearts. Part of the reason the movie thrives is because of the incredible cast that creates likably unlikable characters. The most recognizable name is Kiernan Shipka, a big-name actress who transitioned from child star to more adult roles, like Jamie in Sweethearts. While she’s the biggest draw, the other up-and-coming actors give fantastic comedic performances that will keep viewers laughing.

Kiernan Shipka as Jamie

Date Of Birth: November 10, 1999

Actor: Kiernan Shipka was born in Chicago, Illinois, and got her big break playing Sally Draper in AMC’s Mad Men from 2007 to 2015. She’s gone on to develop an incredible career on both the small and big screen, becoming a horror darling for acting in movies like Longlegs and Carriers and playing the titular character in the cast of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: In Max’s Sweethearts, Kiernan Shipka plays Jamie, a first-year university student in a relationship with her high school sweetheart, Simon. The character is jaded and snarky and has emotional barriers that prevent her from making friends outside of Ben.

Nico Hiraga as Ben

Date of Birth: December 19, 1997

Actor: Nico Hiraga was born in San Francisco, California, and he got his big break playing Tanner in the 2019 movie Booksmart. Though Hiraga’s portfolio was small before acting in Sweethearts, he has proven himself capable of acting as a leading man on TV and in movies.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Character: In the Max Original movie, Nico Hiraga plays Ben, a lovable first-year university student who stays in a relationship with his high school sweetheart, Simon. Because he is such a nice person, the people around him take advantage of his kindness. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have the capacity to stand up for himself or set boundaries.

Sweethearts Supporting Cast & Characters

Caleb Hearon as Palmer: In Sweethearts, Caleb Hearon plays Palmer, Ben and Jamie’s gay best friend who wants to come out. Hearon got his onscreen big break as Jeremy Bernier in Jurassic World Dominion. Though this was his most prominent role prior to Sweethearts, he is also known for working as a writer on the TV series Human Resources.

Ava DeMary as Claire: Ava DeMary plays Claire, Ben’s girlfriend, in Sweethearts. The up-and-coming actor’s most significant roles are in the cast of Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin and After Yang.

Charlie Hall as Simon: Throughout Sweethearts, Charlie Hall plays Simon, Jamie’s boyfriend, who’s on a football team. Though he doesn’t have a significant number of credits before the Max movie, he’s had prominent roles in Bel-Air, Single Drunk Female, and The Sex Lives of College Girls.

Tramell Tillman as Coach Reese: In Sweethearts, Tramell Tillman plays Coach Reese, the football coach who helps Palmer on his coming-out journey. Like other members of the Sweetheart cast, Tramell Tillman doesn’t have an extensive portfolio before this movie. He acted in Dietland, Severance, and Hit Monkey.

Miles Gutierrez-Riley as Lukas: Miles Gutierrez-Riley plays Lukas, Palmer’s love interest, in Sweethearts. Though he only had six roles before Sweethearts, Gutierrez-Riley notably appeared in the cast of Smile 2 and The Wilds, and he acted in one episode of Agatha All Along.

Sophie Zucker as Megan: The actor Sophie Zucker plays Megan, a former friend of Jamie, in Sweethearts. Zucker has primarily worked as a writer in Hollywood, but she’s also appeared in the shows Dickinson and The Duchess of Nothing.