Los Angeles has always had main character energy.
The sprawling Californian city is a place of extreme contradictions. Equal parts dream machine and heartbreak factory, it’s where people go to chase their biggest aspirations. Not only does it produce our favourite celebrities, but much of what takes place in LA could be it’s own television show.
Rachel Sennott recognised that and thus created her new HBO television show, I Love LA. Following her character Maia, who works as a talent manager for social media influencers, the show traces her and her friends’ side quests as they navigate life in the modern-day Tinsel Town.
“What I wanted to capture was—and we talked about this a lot—‘Entourage for internet It girls,’” Rachel told her co-star Jordan Firstman in an interview for ELLE. “I think I’ve yet to see the internet captured [in TV and film] as the business that it is. It was really fun and felt refreshing to do a show in L.A. and not have it be about Hollywood.”
For the show, she brought together an eclectic group of young actors and creatives that she describes as “genius”. “I’ll say, for the casting process, I genuinely feel so lucky to have every single person in the cast that we do,” Rachel told Jordan.
But if you find yourself watching and thinking, Wait…why do I know them? you’re not alone.
Consider this your definitive guide to where you’ve seen them before, because recognising your faves is half the fun of falling in love with a new show.
Rachel Sennott as Maia
The protagonist of I Love LA is Maia, played by Rachel Sennott. Working for a talent management company who deal primarily with social media influencers, Maia has huge aspirations for her life. Sennott got her start doing open mics at comedy clubs before then getting noticed for roles in films such as Shiva Baby, Bodies Bodies Bodies and Bottoms.
Odessa A’zion as Tallulah
Someone to watch is Odessa A’zion, who is Tallulah. She’s Maia’s old friend from college and a successful social media influencer. You might have seen Odessa in Grand Army (2020) on Netflix, or the 2022 movie The Inhabitant. You’ll see a lot more of her in the coming months as she’ll be on the promo tour for the new Josh Safdie-directed, Marty Supreme, which also stars Timothee Chalamet.
Josh Hutcherson as Dylan
Needing little introduction is Josh Hutcherson, who plays Maia’s boyfriend, Dylan, who works as a primary school Spanish teacher. Josh famously broke all our hearts over a decade ago when he starred in Bridge to Terabithia, but it was his role as Peeta Mellark in The Hunger Games that really cemented his star status.
Jordan Firstman as Charlie
Jordan Firstman is extending his acting CV in I Love LA as Charlie. He’s one of Maia’s witty and outgoing friends who is a celebrity stylist. You probably know Jordan from his own social media presence, where he rose to fame posting comedy skits to Instagram and TikTok. He’s also starred in shows like Search Party, as well as Ms. Marvel.
True Whitaker as Alani
True Whitaker plays Alani. The daughter of a movie producer, she’s also one of Maia’s closest friends in the show. If you’re thinking that last name seems familiar, that’s because it is. True is the daughter of acclaimed actor, Forest Whitaker. But True is carving out an impressive career in her own right, working on shows like Godfather of Harlem and movies such as Hunger Games: Mockingjay.
Leighton Meester as Maia’s Boss
One of the biggest guest star moments in the show comes via Leighton Meester who plays Maia’s boss, Alyssa. Of course, we grew up with Leighton as Blaire Waldorf on Gossip Girl, and most recently she also guest starred in the hit Netflix rom-com series, Nobody Wants This.
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