You probably recognize Justin Prentice. Or, more accurately, you recognize the sneer. For years, the actor was the face of one of the most hated characters in streaming history, and honestly, that’s a heavy shadow to walk out of. When you play a character like Bryce Walker in 13 Reasons Why, people start to blur the line between the script and the human holding it.
But if you actually look at the full list of Justin Prentice movies and tv shows, you see a much weirder, more versatile career than just "that guy from the Netflix show." He’s done everything from Nickelodeon sitcoms to gritty AMC dramas and voice acting for legendary animation houses.
Most people don't know he actually started out in the Disney and Nick trenches. He wasn't always the villain.
The Early Years: Sitcoms and Sliming
Before the heavy stuff, Prentice was basically a staple of 2010s teen TV. He was in Victorious. He was in iCarly. He even did a stint on The Middle. If you were a kid during that era, you’ve definitely seen him, even if you didn't know his name yet.
His first big "break" wasn't a drama at all—it was the ABC sitcom Malibu Country. He played Cash Gallagher, the son of Reba McEntire’s character. He was funny, charming, and a little goofy. It’s wild to watch those clips now and compare them to his later work. The range is actually pretty impressive. He also lent his voice to Jaya in The Legend of Korra, which is a fun trivia fact for the Avatar fans out there.
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The 13 Reasons Why Phenomenon
We have to talk about it. We can’t not talk about it.
When 13 Reasons Why dropped in 2017, it changed everything for him. Playing a character like Bryce Walker isn't just about showing up and saying lines; it’s a massive psychological undertaking. Prentice has talked openly in interviews about the research he did—diving into cases like the Brock Turner trial and working with psychiatrists to understand the mindset of a predator.
He did such a good job that he started getting real-life hate. People were screaming at him on Instagram as if he were actually the character.
"I’ll take it as an honor," he once told Coveteur. "It just means I did my job."
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It’s a bizarre paradox of acting: the better you are at playing someone awful, the more people want to stay away from you in real life. But within the industry, it proved he could handle high-stakes, emotionally exhausting material across 44 episodes.
Breaking the Mold: Movies and Genre Shifts
While the TV work gets the most shine, the catalog of Justin Prentice movies and tv shows includes some underrated indie gems.
- Terri (2011): This was a big early role for him. He played "Dirty Jack" in this coming-of-age film starring John C. Reilly. It’s a quiet, weird movie that’s worth a watch if you like Sundance-style indies.
- Some Kind of Hate (2015): He dipped his toes into the horror genre here, playing Jim Greene. It showed he could handle the "slasher" vibe before he moved into the psychological horror of his later TV roles.
- Far More (2021): A more recent film project where he played Teenage Rick, revisiting a role from the earlier film Sex, Death and Bowling.
He also had a really interesting arc on AMC’s Preacher as Tyler. If you haven't seen Preacher, it’s basically the polar opposite of a high school drama. It’s gory, blasphemous, and totally off-the-wall. Seeing him in that world was a great palate cleanser after the intensity of Netflix.
What He's Doing Now (2024-2026)
As we move into 2026, Prentice is in that interesting "post-iconic role" phase. He’s been selective. After a massive hit, many actors take time to decompress, and he’s done exactly that. He recently appeared in True Story with Ed and Randall, showing off those comedy chops again.
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There’s a common misconception that he only plays "the jock." That’s just not true. He’s actually an "extroverted introvert" who loves comedy and is reportedly a bit of a nerd in real life.
How to Watch His Best Work
If you want to see the full scope of his career, don't just binge the Netflix stuff. Start with Malibu Country to see him be likable. Then watch Terri for his indie roots. Save the heavy lifting of 13 Reasons Why for when you have the mental energy for it.
The best way to track his upcoming projects is to keep an eye on his verified social channels, though he tends to keep a low profile these days. He’s one of those actors who lets the work speak for itself.
Whether he’s playing a goofy son or a complicated antagonist, Prentice has solidified himself as a reliable, heavy-hitting actor. He’s definitely moved past the "teen star" label and into something much more substantial.
To truly appreciate his range, try watching an episode of Malibu Country and an episode of Preacher back-to-back. The contrast is the best evidence of his talent.