Sebastian Croft from Heartstopper and Charithra Chandran from Bridgerton join forces in the new romantic comedy How to Date Billy Walsh, out on Prime Video on April 5. We got to chat with both Sebastian and Charithra before the film’s release to learn more about their relationship in the film and how they became so close off-set, in addition to how their previous hit roles prepared them to take on their new characters, Archie and Amelia.
Sebastian: “There are definitely things I learned on [Heartstopper] about community and how important that is on set that I definitely brought into How to Date Billy Walsh.”
How to Date Billy Walsh follows Amelia and Archie, who have been friends since childhood. Archie has always had feelings for Amelia but kept them secret. Just as he builds up the courage to declare his feelings, Amelia falls for Billy Walsh, the new transfer student, played by Cobra Kai star Tanner Buchanan. Archie must then try every trick in the book to win back Amelia and keep Billy Walsh away. The film also stars Kunal Nayyar, Lucy Punch, Nick Frost, Tim Downie, and more.
In addition to their roles on hit Netflix shows, both Sebastian and Charithra are no strangers to the acting world. Sebastian made his television debut as a young Ned Stark in Game of Thrones and he earned a BAFTA Children’s Award nomination for his role as Atti in Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans. Sebastian has also done voice work, known for his roles in Where is Anne Frank and the Netflix anthology Love, Death & Robots. He plays Ben Hope in Heartstopper.
Charithra is known for playing Edwina Sharma in season two of Bridgerton and has also starred in Alex Rider, Class S and The Parables Retold. She also lent her voice to Annisoukaline in Star Wars: Visions.
Charithra: “The way that this role challenged me was the physicality of Amelia, it was so different than anything I’ve done before, and I really loved Sebastian’s preparation process for the role.”
Sebastian and Charithra both revealed that they learned a lot from each other as actors but also as people while on set of How to Date Billy Walsh. They built their connection off set through being able to relate to each other with their values and hopes for their careers.
Charithra: “It is just amazing to work with someone and to meet someone who wants the same things as you, not only from the project but from their careers and life. We are just quite similar.”
We asked them how they would describe each other’s characters and Sebastian said Amelia is silly, eager, and earnest while Charithra described Archie as authentic, romantic, and stubborn.
Both coming from Netflix ensemble casts, Sebastian said he learned how important community is on set from being on Heartstopper that he took into How to Date Billy Walsh. While working on Bridgerton, Charithra learned the importance of being a leader and caring for others.
Sebastian: “As an actor, so much of your job is also your life. It’s not just you clock in and clock out, these people become the people you socialize with and a job is so much more than the work you’re doing.”
Thank you to Sebastian and Charithra for chatting with Young Entertainment. Follow them on their Instagram’s at @sebastiancroft and @charithra17. Watch the video below where we ask them more about working together, funny behind-the-scenes moments, and how they relate to their characters. Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe to our channel for the latest news in young entertainment.
Consider this:
- Prioritize the relationships and connections with your cast members on set.
- Go above and beyond to make sure others in your space feel comfortable and welcomed.
