It is 2026, and I still find myself falling down the rabbit hole of the "Beasties" fandom every few months. Honestly, there was something about the 2012 CW reboot of Beauty and the Beast that just stuck. It wasn't just the procedural-meets-fairytale vibe; it was the chemistry. People love to talk about the 1987 original with Linda Hamilton, but for a certain generation, Kristin Kreuk and Jay Ryan were the show.
So, what happened to everyone once the cameras stopped rolling in Toronto? You've probably seen Kristin pop up in a few places, but the rest of the crew has been busy in ways you might not expect.
The Face of the Show: Kristin Kreuk and Jay Ryan
Kristin Kreuk (Catherine Chandler) basically carried the show on her back for four seasons. Coming off Smallville, she already had a massive following, but Cat Chandler was a different beast—pun intended. She wasn't just a "damsel"; she was a Princeton-educated NYPD detective who could hold her own.
After the show ended in 2016, Kristin didn't disappear. She actually leaned into her Canadian roots, starring in and executive producing the legal drama Burden of Truth. Most recently, fans caught her in the first season of Reacher on Amazon Prime. She’s always been pretty open about wanting to produce more than act, and she’s been doing exactly that.
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Then there’s Jay Ryan (Vincent Keller). Man, the fans were obsessed with him.
Jay is originally from New Zealand, and after playing the tortured super-soldier Vincent, he took a massive leap into film. If you watched It Chapter Two in 2019, you probably recognized him as the adult Ben Hanscom. He’s recently moved his family back to New Zealand and actually became a naturalized Canadian citizen in 2023. He’s currently working on an Australian crime drama called Dustfall, but to many, he’ll always be the guy with the scar and the brooding stare.
The Sidekicks Who Stole the Scene
You can't talk about the beauty and the beast tv show cast without mentioning J.T. and Tess. Honestly, their relationship was sometimes more fun to watch than the main couple's drama.
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- Austin Basis (J.T. Forbes): Austin was the heart of the show. J.T. was the classic "nerdy best friend," but he had a lot of layers. Since the show ended, Austin has been a huge advocate for the Type 1 Diabetes community—he’s lived with it since he was nine. He’s popped up in shows like The Resident and Lucifer. He still engages with fans on social media constantly; he’s one of the few who really embraces the "Beastie" legacy.
- Nina Lisandrello (Tess Vargas): Nina was the skeptic we all needed. She played Cat’s partner and eventually J.T.’s love interest. Critics actually loved her—one famously said she "deserved to be on a better show" because her acting was so grounded. She’s kept a relatively lower profile lately but has done guest spots on FBI and The Blacklist.
The Villains and the Brief Stars
Remember Gabe Lowen? Sendhil Ramamurthy brought such a weird, intense energy to the second season. He went from a potential love interest to a full-blown antagonist. Sendhil is still everywhere—you’ve likely seen him in Never Have I Ever or The Flash. He’s one of those actors who just never seems to stop working.
Nicole Gale Anderson, who played Cat’s sister Heather, also had a great run. She was a series regular by the end. She’s since stepped back from acting a bit to focus on her family, though she did a few TV movies that still air in rotation.
Why the Cast Still Resonates in 2026
It’s weirdly been ten years since the series finale. Why do people still search for the beauty and the beast tv show cast?
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Part of it is the "Save Our Show" culture. This cast was saved by fans multiple times when the ratings were... let's say, "modest." That created a bond between the actors and the audience that doesn't usually happen with mid-tier CW shows.
If you're looking to catch up with them today, here is the best way to dive back in:
- Follow the "Smallville" Circuit: Kristin Kreuk often appears at conventions like the "Salute to Smallville" (there's a big one in Nashville in 2026 for the 25th anniversary). She often talks about her time as Cat Chandler there too.
- Check International Projects: Because Jay Ryan is based in the ANZ region now, look for him in BBC or Australian co-productions. He’s much more active in "prestige" TV now than the "teen drama" scene.
- Support the Advocacy: Austin Basis is frequently involved in charity streams and events for JDRF. It’s a great way to see him being his charming self while supporting a good cause.
The show might be over, but the chemistry was real. It's rare to see a cast that actually seemed to enjoy each other's company as much as this one did. Whether you're Team Vincent or just here for J.T.'s one-liners, the legacy of the 125th Precinct lives on.