You probably recognize Carter Jenkins. Maybe it’s from that one episode of House where he played the kid with the mysterious ailment, or perhaps you’re a die-hard fan of the After franchise. Either way, Jenkins has been working in Hollywood for over two decades. He’s one of those actors who grew up on screen, transitioning from a wide-eyed child actor to a leading man without the public meltdown that usually comes with the territory.
Carter Jenkins movies and tv shows cover a massive range. We’re talking about a guy who went from fighting aliens in a family adventure to playing a heartthrob in a soapy Hollywood drama. He’s been a recurring face on our screens since the early 2000s, and honestly, his staying power is kind of impressive when you look at how many "teen stars" just vanish.
The Early Days: From Commercials to Sci-Fi
Jenkins started out in Tampa, Florida, doing community theater before the family moved to Los Angeles. It didn't take long for him to land guest spots on massive shows like CSI: NY, Scrubs, and The Bernie Mac Show. He was basically the go-to kid for any series needing a relatable, expressive young actor.
His first big "main role" break came with Surface in 2005. He played Miles Barnett, a kid who finds a mysterious sea creature. It was one of those high-concept NBC shows that everyone thought would be the next Lost. It didn't last forever, but it put him on the map.
Shortly after, he was cast in Viva Laughlin. Now, look—most people don't remember this show. It was a musical dramedy on CBS that got canceled after two episodes. But for Jenkins, it was another stepping stone. He played Jack Holden, the son of a guy trying to open a casino. Even when the shows didn't stick, Jenkins always seemed to deliver a solid performance.
Making the Leap to the Big Screen
By the late 2000s, Jenkins started popping up in theaters. Most people’s first real memory of him is Aliens in the Attic (2009). He played Tom Pearson, the tech-savvy leader of a group of kids defending their vacation house from tiny alien invaders. It was a fun, goofy family flick that honestly holds up if you’re looking for a bit of nostalgia.
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Then came Valentine’s Day in 2010.
This was a huge deal.
He was part of a massive ensemble cast that included Julia Roberts, Jamie Foxx, and Anne Hathaway. Jenkins played Alex Franklin, the boyfriend of Emma Roberts' character. They were the "teen couple" plotline, and it showed he could handle a romantic-comedy vibe just as well as sci-fi.
A Turn Toward Shady and Serious
As he got older, the roles got a bit darker. You've got movies like Nightlight (2015), which was a found-footage horror film. He also showed up in Circle (2015), a really tense, claustrophobic psychological thriller where 50 people are trapped and have to vote on who dies.
One of his more underrated projects is Struck by Lightning (2012). It was written by Chris Colfer and featured Jenkins as Nicholas Forbes. It was a biting, cynical high school dramedy that showed he had some comedic range beyond the "nice guy" persona.
The Famous in Love and After Era
If you're under 25, you probably know him best as Rainer Devon.
In the Freeform series Famous in Love (2017-2018), Jenkins played a superstar actor dealing with the messy reality of fame. It felt a bit meta, honestly. Here was a guy who had actually grown up in the industry playing a guy who was struggling with being the "It" boy of the moment.
The show was executive produced by I. Marlene King (of Pretty Little Liars fame), so it was high-stakes drama. It gave him a chance to show a more mature, leading-man side of himself.
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Then, he joined the After universe.
For fans of the Anna Todd books, his casting as Robert was a big moment. He appeared in After We Fell (2021), After Ever Happy (2022), and After Everything (2023). Playing the "other guy" in a massive romantic franchise isn't easy, but Jenkins brought a charm to Robert that made the love triangle actually feel like a contest.
Recent Projects and What's New
Lately, Jenkins has been leaning into more grounded drama. He was in the miniseries Women of the Movement (2022), which chronicled the story of Mamie Till-Mobley. He played Roy Bryant, one of the men involved in the murder of Emmett Till. It was a risky, heavy role that was a total 180 from his usual work.
In early 2025, he was seen at the premiere of Fly Me to the Earth, a project from Silver Sail Entertainment. He’s also been involved in a project called Paws in the City, which is a bit of a return to his lighter, comedic roots.
Why He’s Not Just "That One Guy"
Carter Jenkins is a survivor. That sounds dramatic, but Hollywood is a meat grinder for child actors. He’s managed to stay employed for 20+ years without a major scandal or a complete disappearance from the public eye.
He’s a working actor’s actor.
He doesn't just do the big blockbusters; he does the weird indie thrillers and the guest spots on Doom Patrol. He’s even voiced characters in video games and written his own projects, like the TV movie Any Tom, Dick, or Harry.
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If you're looking to catch up on his work, here's a rough roadmap of where to start based on what you like:
- For the Sci-Fi Fan: Surface (The TV series) or Aliens in the Attic.
- For the Rom-Com Lover: Valentine's Day or the After movies.
- For the Thrill Seeker: Circle (It’s on Netflix, go watch it).
- For the Drama Junkie: Famous in Love or Women of the Movement.
The reality is that Jenkins has a filmography that reflects a lot of different eras of Hollywood. He’s gone from the bright, multi-cam sitcom energy of the early 2000s to the gritty, serialized streaming era. It's cool to see an actor actually grow up and refine their craft in real-time.
Digging Deeper into the Career of Carter Jenkins
If you're planning a binge-watch session, the best move is to start with Surface to see his early potential and then jump straight to Circle to see how much he's evolved. Most of his early TV guest spots, like those on CSI or House, are available on major streaming platforms and offer a fun "where are they now" look at his career. For the most recent updates on his upcoming 2026 projects, keeping an eye on festival circuits like SXSW is usually the best bet for his indie work.
Actionable Takeaway
To truly appreciate his range, watch his performance in Women of the Movement followed by an episode of Famous in Love. The contrast between playing a historical villain and a modern-day heartthrob is the best evidence of his skill as a performer.