You’ve probably seen Jonathan Whitesell. Even if the name doesn't immediately ring a bell, his face has likely popped up in your favorite sci-fi drama, a gritty war movie, or maybe that one Netflix horror show you binged in a weekend. He’s one of those actors who just fits everywhere. Born in Vancouver Island and raised in Duncan, British Columbia, Whitesell has spent the last decade quietly building a filmography that most actors would kill for. He didn’t even plan on doing this for a living. Honestly, he was ready to join the Canadian military before he decided to pivot to the Capilano University acting program.
Talk about a career change.
Since then, the list of Jonathan Whitesell movies and TV shows has grown into a wild mix of mainstream hits and indie darlings. He has this "everyman" quality that lets him play a clean-cut hero one day and a total creep the next. It’s a rare skill. Most people know him from The 100 or Beyond, but if you look closer, there’s a lot more under the hood of his career than just the "CW heartthrob" label.
The Big Breaks: Beyond, The 100, and Sabrina
If you're a fan of genre television, you know Whitesell. He tends to gravitate toward stories that are just a little bit weird. His role as Luke Matthews in the Freeform series Beyond was arguably his first real "lead" moment. Playing the brother of a guy who wakes up from a 12-year coma with superpowers? That’s heavy stuff. It wasn't just about the sci-fi elements, though. It was the grounded, fraternal chemistry that made the show work for its two-season run.
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Then there’s The 100. If you were on Twitter (now X) around 2016, you know how intense that fandom was. Whitesell stepped into the lion's den as Bryan, a soldier from Farm Station and the boyfriend of Nathan Miller. It was a big deal. Representing an LGBTQ+ relationship that wasn't defined by trauma or stereotypes in a high-stakes survival show was, as Whitesell put it, an "honour." Fans still talk about Bryan and Miller (or "Briller") today, even years after his character's arc wrapped up.
And we can't forget the "elfish" charm he brought to Greendale. In Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, he played Robin Goodfellow. He wasn't just some random high schooler; he was a literal hobgoblin. He managed to make a centuries-old supernatural creature feel like a sweet, vulnerable teenager who just happened to be part of a pagan carnival. It’s that range—going from a hardened soldier to a mythological trickster—that keeps him employed.
A Quick Look at the Essentials
- The 100 (2016-2017): Played Bryan. A fan favorite for the "Briller" ship.
- Beyond (2016-2018): Luke Matthews. The emotional anchor of the series.
- Riverdale (2019): Kurtz. A terrifying, Gargoyle King-obsessed weirdo.
- Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2020): Robin Goodfellow. The hobgoblin with a heart of gold.
Exploring the Film Side: From A24 to Shudder
While TV is where he gets the most eyes, Jonathan Whitesell movies are where he really shows off his grit. He’s not afraid of the dark. Case in point: The Kill Team (2019). This wasn't some flashy Hollywood war movie; it was a claustrophobic, stomach-turning look at moral rot in the military. Working alongside Alexander Skarsgård and Nat Wolff, Whitesell played Coombs, a soldier caught in a nightmare of war crimes and peer pressure. It’s a tough watch, but his performance is top-tier.
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He’s also popped up in some surprisingly massive projects. Did you catch him in Bad Times at the El Royale? He was Chris "Flicker" Grimes. Small role, sure, but being in a Drew Goddard film is a "made it" moment for any actor. He also did Hold the Dark for Netflix, a brutal Alaskan thriller that definitely isn't for the faint of heart.
Fast forward to 2025 and 2026, and he’s still leaning into the "edgy" side of cinema. He recently joined the cast of Influencers (2025), the sequel to the Shudder hit Influencer. Playing a character named Jacob, he’s part of a cast that skewers the fake, hollow world of social media stardom. It’s a horror-thriller that fits perfectly with his vibe: stylish, slightly dangerous, and very "now."
Why He’s More Than Just a Guest Star
One thing people get wrong about Jonathan Whitesell is thinking he's just a "guest star" guy. It’s true he’s had some legendary one-off appearances. He was Hercules in Once Upon a Time. Think about that—he had to step into the shoes of a literal Greek god in an established Disney-inspired universe. He also appeared in the 2016 X-Files revival as Kyle Gilligan.
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But if you look at his work in Bones of Crows (2022), you see the depth he’s capable of. The project—both a film and a miniseries—is a powerful look at the residential school system in Canada and its generational trauma. Whitesell played Thomas Miller. This wasn't "genre" fun; it was heavy, historical, and deeply important. It showed that he’s not just here for the supernatural thrills; he’s a serious actor who wants to tell stories that actually matter.
What’s Next for Jonathan Whitesell?
As we move through 2026, Whitesell isn't slowing down. He’s got Valiant One on the horizon, where he plays Jonah Ross. It’s another military-themed thriller, which feels like a full-circle moment given his early aspirations to join the army. There’s also the miniseries Untamed, where he plays Teddy Redwine.
What makes Jonathan Whitesell interesting isn't just the shows he’s in, but how he approaches them. He’s a guy who builds his own PCs, plays Halo and Overwatch, and loves Dungeons & Dragons. He’s a nerd who happens to be a very good actor. That authenticity comes through on screen. He doesn't feel like a manufactured celebrity; he feels like a guy you’d actually hang out with.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
- Watch "The Kill Team" for his best dramatic work. If you only know him from the CW, this will change your perspective on his acting range.
- Binge "Beyond" on Hulu. It’s a hidden gem of the late 2010s that deserves more love than it got.
- Check out "Bones of Crows." It's essential viewing for anyone interested in Canadian history and seeing Whitesell in a more mature, grounded role.
- Keep an eye on Shudder for "Influencers." If you like mean-spirited, smart horror, this is the one to watch this year.
The career of Jonathan Whitesell is a lesson in versatility. He moves between voice acting (Beyblade Burst), family films (A.R.C.H.I.E.), and intense war dramas without breaking a sweat. Whether he's playing a hobgoblin or a soldier, he brings a specific kind of sincerity that makes the audience root for him—or be absolutely terrified of him. Either way, you're watching.
To keep up with his latest projects, watch for his name in the credits of upcoming Shudder releases and Canadian indie dramas. He’s a staple of the Vancouver acting scene, and he’s only getting started on more complex, lead-driven roles. Instead of just following the big blockbusters, look for his name in the cast lists of character-driven thrillers—that’s usually where he does his best work.