If you grew up during the golden age of Freeform (back when it was still ABC Family) and the tail end of the Disney Channel’s peak musical era, you definitely know Nick Roux. Or at least, you know the face. He was the quintessential "cool guy" who somehow managed to be both the high school heartthrob and the loyal best friend simultaneously.
Honestly, it’s rare for an actor to jump between the "jerk" and the "soulmate" so effortlessly, but Roux did it. He had this specific 2010s energy—leather jackets, messy hair, and that slight smirk—that made him a staple on our TV screens for a few years.
But where did he go? And more importantly, which Nick Roux movies and tv shows are actually worth a rewatch today?
Let’s be real: not every project from that era holds up. Some of the Disney stuff feels a bit cringe now, and some of the indie films he did later were, well, experimental. But if you’re looking to scratch that nostalgia itch, there are a few definitive performances that prove why he was such a big deal.
The Scott Pickett Effect: Lemonade Mouth and Beyond
You can't talk about Nick Roux without talking about Lemonade Mouth. For a lot of us, this was the first time we saw him. He played Scott Pickett, the guitarist for the "rival" band Mudslide Crush.
Initially, Scott is kind of the antagonist—the guy who chooses the popular crowd over his girlfriend, Mo (played by Naomi Scott). But what made that performance interesting was the redemption arc. By the end of the movie, Scott realizes his bandmates are jerks and jumps ship to join the Lemonade Mouth crew. It was a classic "choose your real friends" moment that hit hard for a DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie).
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Interestingly, Roux wasn't just acting. He actually has a musical background, which is why he looked so comfortable with a guitar. He’s a singer and piano player in real life, something he’s chatted about in older interviews.
- Release Date: April 15, 2011
- The Vibe: High school rebellion but with better songs than High School Musical.
- Why it works: Scott Pickett wasn't a one-dimensional villain. You actually rooted for him to do the right thing.
Why Jane By Design Was Cancelled Too Soon
If you ask any Nick Roux fan what his best role was, they won't say the Disney stuff. They’ll say Jane by Design.
In this show, Roux played Billy Nutter, the best friend of the protagonist, Jane Quimby. Jane was a high schooler living a double life as an assistant to a high-fashion executive (played by the legendary Andie MacDowell). Billy was the only one who knew her secret.
Billy Nutter was the ultimate "boy next door" with a bit of a gritty edge. He lived in a house that looked like a garage, rode a motorcycle, and was constantly getting Jane out of trouble. The chemistry between Roux and Erica Dasher was electric. Fans spent the entire first (and only) season screaming at the TV for them to just admit they were in love.
Then, ABC Family cancelled it after one season.
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It was a total gut-punch. The show ended on a cliffhanger, and we never got to see Billy and Jane finally get together. Even now, over a decade later, people still tweet about how robbed we were. It remains one of those "gone too soon" cult classics that defined Nick Roux’s career.
The Transition to Gritty Indies and Horror
After the teen idol phase, Roux started taking on much darker roles. It’s a move a lot of Disney/Freeform actors try to make, but Roux actually leaned into the thriller and horror genres quite hard.
In 2017, he appeared in Jackals, a home-invasion horror movie set in the 1980s. It was a massive departure from the bright colors of Lemonade Mouth. He played Campbell Powell, a member of a family trying to rescue their son from a murderous cult. It was bloody, intense, and showed a side of his acting that was much more mature and grounded.
Around the same time, he did Tomato Red: Blood Money alongside Julia Garner. This wasn't your typical Hollywood blockbuster. It was a gritty, Southern-fried noir film. Roux played Jason Merridew, and if you watch it right after Jane by Design, it’s almost jarring. He traded the polished "Billy Nutter" look for something much more weathered and desperate.
Other Notable Appearances
- Wizards of Waverly Place: He played Chase Riprock, the "beast tamer" who had a crush on Alex Russo. He was basically the rival to Mason the werewolf.
- Pretty Little Liars: He had a guest spot as Riley in the episode "Cover for Me." He was a guy Aria met while trying to escape her Ezra drama. It was a small role, but he nailed the "mysterious stranger in a bar" vibe.
- Young & Hungry: He popped up as Cam, a love interest for Gabi. Again, playing the charming guy who complicates things.
What Happened to Him?
This is the question everyone asks. After 2017, his IMDB page basically went quiet.
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If you look for him now, you won't find him on the red carpet or in the latest Marvel movie. Instead, Nicholas Roux has seemingly pivoted toward a completely different world: academia and literature.
According to the Chicago Academy for the Arts, a Nicholas Roux (who bears a striking resemblance and shares the same background in English/Creative Writing) is the Co-Chair of the Humanities Department. He teaches literature and philosophy. He’s quoted as saying that the classroom is a place to "enter into the ongoing dialogue of thought and art."
It’s actually a pretty cool career shift. While most former child stars try to cling to fame by doing reality TV or low-budget streaming movies, Roux seems to have followed a genuine passion for writing and education. He attended Kenyon College, worked with The Kenyon Review, and now shapes the minds of young artists.
It makes sense, honestly. Even back in his acting days, there was always something a bit more thoughtful and reserved about him in interviews. He wasn't the loudest guy in the room; he was the one observing everything.
Actionable Next Steps for the Nostalgic Fan
If you’re looking to dive back into the Nick Roux movies and tv shows catalog, don't just aimlessly scroll. Here is the best way to experience his filmography:
- Start with Lemonade Mouth (Disney+): It’s the ultimate feel-good movie and arguably the best DCOM of that decade. Pay attention to his guitar playing; it’s actually him.
- Binge Jane by Design (Hulu/Freeform): Prepare for the heartbreak of the cliffhanger. It’s still worth it for the 2012 fashion and the Billy/Jane chemistry.
- Watch Jackals if you like horror: It’s a solid, underrated home-invasion flick. It’ll give you a lot of respect for his range.
- Check out his music: You can still find clips of him singing and playing piano on YouTube from old promotional tours. It gives you a glimpse into the talent that he’s now likely using in his humanities and arts teaching.
Nick Roux might not be on our screens every week anymore, but he left behind a body of work that perfectly captured a specific moment in pop culture. Whether he’s playing a teen rockstar or teaching philosophy, he’s clearly a guy who does things on his own terms.