You probably know that feeling when a character walks onto the screen and immediately ruins the "vibe" for everyone else in the room. Not because the actor is bad, but because the character is just that volatile. That’s been the AJ Simmons experience lately. Most people recognize him as Randall, the absolute powder keg of a human being on the MGM+ sci-fi horror hit From, but he’s been grinding in the industry for way longer than that bus ride into the middle of nowhere.
Honestly, it’s kinda funny seeing fans online realize he’s actually a polite British guy who is a trained tap dancer and choreographer. If you’ve only seen him screaming at Donna or trying to "science" his way out of a nightmare town with a drone, the real-life AJ is a massive departure. He’s based out of Toronto these days, but the path of AJ Simmons movies and TV shows stretches from high-budget Korean cinema to gritty streaming thrillers.
The Big Break: From and the Randall Problem
Let's be real. If you’re searching for AJ Simmons, you’re likely trying to figure out if Randall is a secret genius or just a jerk. Joining a show like From in its second season is a tough gig. The cast was already tight-knit, and the lore was already confusing. Then comes Randall. He’s pragmatic, angry, and refuses to accept the "rules" of the town.
It’s a masterclass in tension. Simmons plays Randall with this vibrating energy that makes you think he might actually save everyone or get them all killed by Tuesday. He’s become a series regular for a reason. As we head into 2026, with the mystery of the town deepening, his role has shifted from a mere antagonist to a wild card that the "Fromily" (as the fans call themselves) can’t look away from.
He didn't just appear out of thin air, though. Before he was trapped in a nightmare, he was doing the rounds in some of the biggest prestige TV shows of the last few years.
The Reacher Connection and Grit
Before the bus stalled out in the woods, Simmons had a recurring spot in the first season of Reacher. He played Dawson, and if you remember the show's early vibe, it was all about that heavy, physical threat. Working on a set like that—where Alan Ritchson is basically a human mountain—requires a certain level of screen presence just to not get overshadowed.
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Simmons held his own. It’s a similar energy to what he brings to From: that "don't mess with me" look that seems baked into his performance style. He’s also popped up in Beacon 23 as Farut, playing opposite Lena Headey. It’s a trend. He keeps landing in these high-concept, high-stakes sci-fi and thriller environments.
Notable TV Appearances
- From: Randall Kirkland (The guy everyone loves to hate)
- Reacher: Dawson (Season 1 muscle)
- Slasher: Flesh & Blood: Vincent (Gritty horror at its best)
- Beacon 23: Farut (Deep space mystery)
- Departure: A principal role in the plane crash procedural
- Murdoch Mysteries: A classic Toronto acting rite of passage
The Korean Cinema Surprise: Swing Kids
This is the one that usually trips people up. In 2018, Simmons had a lead role in the South Korean film Swing Kids. It’s a period piece set during the Korean War in a POW camp. He played Jamie, and here’s the kicker: the role required heavy-duty tap dancing.
Most actors have "skills" listed on their resumes like "can ride a horse" or "speaks basic French." Usually, it's a lie. But for AJ, the dance background is the real deal. He’s a professional choreographer. Watching him go from a tap-dancing soldier in a Korean drama to a guy threatening people with a knife in a basement in From is some serious range.
If you haven't seen Swing Kids, it’s worth a watch just for the tonal whiplash. It shows a much more vulnerable, rhythmic side of his talent that he rarely gets to show in his more "tough guy" North American roles.
Why He Keeps Getting Cast in Horror
There is something about AJ Simmons’ face that filmmakers love for horror. He has these piercing green eyes that can look either incredibly soulful or completely terrifying depending on the lighting.
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In Slasher: Flesh & Blood, he played Vincent. If you know that show, you know it’s basically a gore-fest with a lot of family drama. He fits that niche perfectly. He can do the "unhinged" thing without making it feel like a cartoon. It’s grounded. Even when he’s being a total menace, you sort of understand where the character is coming from. He plays characters who think they are the only sane people in a room full of idiots, which is a very relatable brand of villainy.
The Future: What’s Next in 2026?
As of right now, his schedule is looking pretty packed. Beyond the continued madness of From—which has become a cult juggernaut—he’s been branching out into more film work. He was involved in Dark Web: Cicada 3301, which was directed by his Reacher co-star Alan Ritchson. That relationship seems to have been a good career move.
There are also rumblings about him moving behind the camera. He’s mentioned in interviews that he has directorial ambitions. Given his background in choreography, he already understands movement and framing better than your average actor-turned-director.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception about AJ Simmons is that he’s just another "angry guy" actor. Because Randall is such a loud, abrasive character, it’s easy to pigeonhole him.
But if you look at his theatre background—we’re talking Saturday Night Fever and Grease on stage—you realize he’s a classic triple threat. He’s a performer in the old-school sense. He just happens to be very good at playing people who are one bad day away from a total meltdown.
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The AJ Simmons "Must-Watch" List
- From (Season 2 & 3): This is the definitive performance. It’s where he gets the most room to breathe and be chaotic.
- Swing Kids: For the dance skills and the historical drama. It's a totally different person.
- Reacher (Season 1): To see him hold his own against a massive action star.
- Slasher: If you have a stomach for the macabre and want to see him in a "whodunnit" horror setting.
Moving Forward
If you're looking to keep up with his career, your best bet is to follow the From updates. That show is the engine of his current popularity. But don't sleep on his smaller projects or his dance work.
The smartest thing you can do as a fan is to watch Swing Kids. It will completely change how you view his performance as Randall. You’ll start seeing the physicality in his movement—how he carries his weight, how he paces—as a deliberate choice rather than just "acting."
Keep an eye on the 2026 festival circuits, too. Actors with his kind of discipline often end up in indie darlings that let them flex those "non-tough guy" muscles. Whether he’s screaming at monsters or tapping in a POW camp, he’s proving to be one of the most versatile exports from the Toronto acting scene.
Next Steps:
- Check out the From Season 3 and 4 theories on Reddit to see just how much the "Randall is a hero" camp is growing.
- Track down a copy of Swing Kids—it's often on streaming services like Prime or specialized Asian cinema platforms.
- Follow his choreography work if you’re into the technical side of performance; it explains a lot about his screen presence.