After years of feeling his acting career was slowing down, Josh Hutcherson found a perfect match in the new HBO comedy I Love LA. The actor, who rose to fame as Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games, reveals that the role came at a critical time, pulling him out of a professional slump and making him fall in love with his work all over again.
A Career at a Crossroads
Before landing his role in I Love LA, Hutcherson was at a turning point. He had just moved to Brooklyn, feeling that his acting opportunities were becoming “slim pickings.” He openly wondered if his time in the industry was coming to an end, a common fear for many young actors transitioning into adult roles. He had even leased an apartment in New York, ready to leave Los Angeles behind.
The phone call that changed everything came from his agent as he was driving from the airport. The offer was for a new HBO series created by and starring Rachel Sennott. Hutcherson had to scramble, getting out of his New York lease and immediately returning to Los Angeles to shoot the show. He joined the project after a quick but successful Zoom chemistry read with Sennott, who also created the series.
Finding the Perfect Role
In I Love LA, Hutcherson plays Dylan, a grounded middle school Spanish teacher and the boyfriend of Sennott’s character, Maia. Dylan is the calm, stabilizing center in Maia’s chaotic world of influencer management and Hollywood ambition. He is a devoted partner, often finding himself in absurd situations while trying to support his girlfriend.
The role resonated deeply with Hutcherson. He described Dylan as reflecting a “deeper, calmer side” of himself, someone who values stability and kindness. He worked closely with the writers to ensure Dylan was not just a “boring, nothing guy,” but a fully realized person with his own fears and desires.
Sennott knew Hutcherson was the right fit from their first meeting. She said he was “so disarming and charming, and he immediately feels at home.” She also praised his underused comedic skills, noting he has “amazing comedic instincts” and is “really funny,” both with scripted lines and improv.
A Creative Rebirth
For Hutcherson, working on I Love LA was a fundamentally different experience compared to the large-scale franchise films he is known for. After years of working with “tennis balls and green screens” on big action and fantasy sets, the show offered a chance to work on something “grounded” and real.
“It reignited such a love and appreciation for this job in me,” Hutcherson said of the experience. He found the collaborative environment with Sennott and the writers especially meaningful, as they valued his input and trusted his instincts.
The show also allowed him to film in his own Silver Lake neighborhood, sometimes even walking to work. This intimacy and connection to the material made the experience feel like a return to the magic he felt when he first started acting as a child.
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Stepping Back into the Spotlight
I Love LA has been a welcome reset for Hutcherson’s career, arriving alongside other major projects. He is also set to reprise his role in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, demonstrating a renewed momentum in his work.
The HBO series has been renewed for a second season, ensuring that audiences will see more of Hutcherson as the beloved Dylan. For the actor, the role has been more than just another job; it has been a powerful reminder of why he started acting in the first place.
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