My Life With the Walter Boys is the Netflix teen drama taking over our TikTok FYP, and propelling star Nikki Rodriguez into the spotlight. Her character Jackie Howard continues a hallowed teen drama trope legacy — finding herself at the center of an all-out young adult love triangle.
Adapted from the 2014 novel by Ali Novak, first published on the popular fiction site WattPad in 2012, My Life With the Walter Boys follows Jackie, an over-achieving star-student in New York City. But after a tragic accident, Jackie is shipped off to her new home in rural Colorado with the Walter family — which houses 11 boys (if you count Parker, the only sister of the bunch). Jackie’s life changes drastically as she tries to stay on course with her university goals, all while dealing with her family trauma. Oh, and she’s falling for not one, but two Walter boys: Alex (Ashby Gentry) and Cole (Noah LaLonde).
The series premiered on December 7, 2023, and was recently renewed for season 2. This was a no-brainer decision on Netflix’s part, as the show has garnered an intense fan base rather quickly. Nostalgia and teenage romance plays a huge part in this — we all (including Rodriguez herself) can’t help but wonder who Jackie might pick.
Below, we chatted with Rodriguez about Jackie’s future, the show’s social media craze and her hopes for My Life With the Walter Boys season 2.
Teen Vogue: What did your journey look like auditioning for My Life With the Walter Boys?
Nikki Rodriguez: It was a pretty traditional journey as far as being an actor goes. I got the original audition and I totally did the actor thing where I counted myself out because the last role I did play was On My Block, and it was so different. When I got this audition, I was like, “Oh, well, you know, I don't think anyone's gonna see me as Jackie, but I really like it so I'm just gonna have fun with it.” Then I went through callbacks and then chemistry reads and each time I was like, “Well, there's no way there's no way,” and then I got the call and I still can't believe it. I really can't.
TV: You mentioned going from On My Block to this and how Jackie is a completely different character than the character you played then. What helped you get into the mindset of playing Jackie?
NR: I would say that I'm pretty similar to both characters which is crazy to say because they're so drastically different. But music helps a lot. Wardrobe helps a lot, and the way they style me. When I'm in wardrobe and as soon as I walk out of the makeup and hair trailer, I feel more like Jackie, so that's probably the biggest thing that helps me as an actor. I also read the book three times, and I tried to highlight what was similar between me and Jackie. Definitely the type A personality and the overachiever part I wanted to highlight as much as possible.
TV: What are the biggest differences between you in real life and Jackie?
NR: Definitely the wardrobe and styling to be honest. Our styles are so different. I like more neutrals. I like an oversized fit. Whereas [Jackie] is very business casual all day every day. Very, very fitted attire. She always has her hair up, I don't like to wear my hair up. I also like to wear sweatpants a lot. I probably own like 40 different pairs of sweatpants. Jackie would never.
TV: What has been the most exciting part of getting to play this leading role?
NR: I couldn't have asked for a better filming experience for season 1. We knew we had something special because we all got along really well. We all really love each other and we also take the work very seriously. It was just a dream come true from the first day of filming. I am really honored and grateful that people have responded to the show in such a warm and positive way. I don't know if I could pick just one thing, but I've met my best friends on the show and I just have had the best time of my life.
TV: Do you have any days from when you guys were filming that are glued into your memory?
NR: There's a scene in episode two where Cole and Jackie are along the river and Cole tries to play keep-away with a hat. And we only had one hat to film with that day. He thought it would be really funny to throw it in the air, and he lost the hat in the river at the beginning of the day. There was a big panic on set because Ali, the author of the book, was there for the first day and we didn't know what to do. I ended up having to wear a completely different hat for the rest of filming that day. But you can't tell, so it ended up working out. That hat is at the bottom of that river somewhere.
TV: I'm unfortunately chronically online so I'm always on TikTok, and my FYP is filled with edits of the show every day. Every video is Team Alex or Team Cole. Where are you when it comes to Team Alex and Team Cole debate?
NR: I understand why Jackie is conflicted because it's tough, right? Like team Cole and team Alex. They're both so great in different ways. I understand why people are split. Alex is so sweet and caring and he's just so sensitive and kind. Then Cole is like that passionate type that you have to peel back the layers. But he's also really sensitive and kind. He just won't show you and so I don't know, it's tough. Both the actors are great. They're like my best friends in the world so I can't pick, but I always say team Jackie because she needs to follow her heart and her dreams and she deserves to be happy.
TV: A funny thing on Tik Tok that we are seeing is people are really wanting more of the dynamic between Jackie and Isaac [Isaac Arellanes]. I think people really enjoyed that.
NR: Everyone loves Isaac. It's so funny because Isaac, Jackie and Lee have a lot in common. I would love to see their friendship explored more in season 2.
TV: Are you personally seeing the viewer's response on TikTok?
NR: I've seen a few, it's hard to escape. I try my best to stay out of it. I get really overwhelmed so I'll try to just click not interested. But I have seen a few and the edits are amazing. The Cole Effect ones are great. I saw a comment that said it's not the Cole effect, it’s the Noah Effect which is true. I love them. They're amazing.
TV: Did you have a background with being outdoors and existing in the kind of southern, country space that Jackie moved to? Or are you more of a city girl?
NR: I'm more of a city girl but I love to escape. I like to travel and I like to feel really grounded in outdoor spaces. So the locations we were at were beautiful. I mean stunning. I can't even describe it or show you a picture that will do it justice. But that was like one of the best parts of filming. I've never been in such beautiful locations and then getting to ride horses was a dream come true. Every day felt like, is this like the best job ever or what?
TV: What do you think is one of the biggest lessons Jackie learned through the process of My Life With the Walter Boys season 1?
NR: Jackie has quite the arc in season 1. She starts off really closed off and uncomfortable where she is but you do start to see the walls come down and I feel like she learns a lot about herself. Just being in Colorado and being with the Walter family and the brothers helps bring out a more playful side of her. At the end she kind of closes back up a little bit because she makes a bit of a mess but you know, she's going through a lot and she's learning about herself and growing up.
TV: Excluding Cole and Alex from this lineup, if you have to choose, who is your favorite Walter boy?
NR: It is Danny Walter. He is the best brother. I think he's so genuine and caring. I love Jackie and Danny's friendship. And Connor [Stanhope], who plays Danny, is a great person and he's just so warm and nice to be around and I think you feel that from the screen.
TV: Now looking towards season 2, it's really exciting that you guys are going to get to do this again. What do you want to see Jackie face head on when it comes to her love life in season 2?
NR: I have thought about this for so long. I mean, obviously Jackie would have to come back to Colorado but what makes her come back? I don't even know. I've thought about so many different options. And I always do the thing where I think it's gonna go one way and then it's gonna go completely the opposite. So I've tried to really keep an open mind. But I am really interested to get that first script and see what brings Jackie back and what she gets herself into.
TV: For Jackie within her professional life, you know, still pursuing her Princeton goals, what do you hope to maybe see out of season 2?
NR: I definitely hope that she stays on track and doesn't get distracted. Which is easier said than done, of course. But I think her goals and her dreams are the most important thing. She's gone through so much. And so she really deserves to follow her dreams and build her dream life, go to Princeton. I just hope that she doesn't get distracted or off track because I really want that for her. She shouldn't have a backup plan. I fully support putting all your energy into the first option because that's the only option.
TV: What would you say to the fans that are really just so obsessed with the series and they’re on their third rewatch, they’re making fan edits, all the things. What would you want to say to them?
NR: I just want to say thank you for watching the show and loving it. I feel so grateful to be able to do what we do. We love making the show and it isn't possible without people watching it. We're really happy and grateful and I just couldn't have imagined a better experience. I feel really lucky.
