If you’ve spent any time on Netflix recently, you probably know Raymond Ablack as Joe, the soft-spoken, flannel-wearing owner of Blue Farm Café in Ginny & Georgia. He’s basically the internet’s collective crush. Most of that charm comes from his "dog-dad" energy and, let’s be real, that very impressive, rugged beard. But if you’ve been following his career since the mid-2000s, you know there was a whole different era.
Seeing Raymond Ablack without beard feels a bit like seeing a superhero without their mask. It’s still him, but the vibe is completely shifted. For some, it’s a nostalgic trip back to his Degrassi days. For others who only know him as the bearded heartthrob of Wellsbury, it’s a total shock to the system.
The Sav Bhandari Days: A Clean-Shaven Icon
Long before he was serving coffee to Georgia Miller, Raymond was Sav Bhandari on Degrassi: The Next Generation. He joined the cast in 2007, and for the better part of five years, he was the face of the "nice guy" archetype.
During this era, a beard wasn't even in the conversation. He had that classic, boy-next-door look—smooth skin, a sharp jawline, and that trademark smile. Honestly, it worked for the character. Sav was a high school student dealing with strict parents and complicated romances. A full, thick beard would’ve made him look like a 30-year-old undercover cop trying to bust a locker-side drug ring.
He stayed clean-shaven for most of his early 20s. You can see this look in shows like Orphan Black, where he played Raj Singh. He looked professional, young, and remarkably different from the "Blue Farm Joe" we see today. If you look at photos from 2013 or 2014, the absence of facial hair highlights his Indo-Guyanese features in a way that the beard sometimes hides.
Why the Beard Changed Everything
So, what happened? Why did the beard become such a "thing" for him?
It sort of happened gradually. As he transitioned into more mature roles, the stubble started appearing. By the time he landed roles in Narcos and Shadowhunters, he was experimenting with different lengths. But it wasn't until the early 2020s—specifically with Maid and Ginny & Georgia—that the full beard became his signature.
The internet literally went into a tailspin.
There’s a specific brand of "bearded Raymond Ablack" fans who refuse to acknowledge his clean-shaven past. They argue the beard adds a layer of "brooding mystery" that suits his current roles. In Maid, playing Nate, the beard helped establish him as a grounded, dependable father figure. It’s a visual shorthand for maturity.
The Great Debate: To Shave or Not to Shave?
Fans on Reddit and TikTok are constantly debating which look is superior. It’s kinda funny how much people care about a stranger's facial hair.
- The "Pro-Beard" Camp: They claim the beard is "essential equipment." They argue it defines his face and gives him that leading-man gravitas. To them, Raymond Ablack without beard looks "too young" or "incomplete."
- The "Clean-Shaven" Loyalists: These are usually the OG Degrassi fans. They miss the jawline. They think the beard hides one of his best features—his actual face. They’ll point to his 2025 red carpet appearances (where he sometimes trims it down significantly) as proof that he’s still got that youthful glow.
Honestly, both looks work for different reasons. Without the beard, he has a very classic, Hollywood-glamour feel. With the beard, he’s the king of the "cozy aesthetic."
Behind the Scenes: The Maintenance
Abeard like that doesn’t just happen by accident. It takes work. While Raymond is notoriously private about his grooming routine (and his personal life in general), you can tell he takes care of it. It’s never scraggly or unkempt. Even when Joe is supposed to be stressed out running a business in Ginny & Georgia, his beard is perfectly lined up.
There’s a practical side to this, too. For actors, facial hair is a tool. Being able to grow a thick beard quickly means he can play a wider range of ages. He can jump from a 25-year-old tech bro to a 40-year-old outdoorsman just by putting the razor away for a few weeks.
What's Next for Raymond?
As of early 2026, Raymond is still very much in his "Joe" era. With Ginny & Georgia remaining a massive hit, the beard is likely staying put for the foreseeable future. However, he’s been branching out into more film work. We saw him in Love in the Villa and Stay the Night, where he played around with the "heavy stubble" look—a middle ground that seemed to satisfy everyone.
If you’re looking to see him without the beard today, your best bet is to dig through his older credits or catch a glimpse of him in a flashback scene. Or, you know, just wait. Actors love a transformation. It wouldn't be surprising if he showed up to a premiere tomorrow with a totally smooth face just to keep us on our toes.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you’re trying to track the evolution of his look, or maybe you're just a fan of his style, here’s what you should do:
- Watch the "Degrassi" Era: Check out seasons 7 through 11 of The Next Generation to see the peak clean-shaven Sav. It’s a totally different energy.
- Compare with "Maid": This is where the beard really took center stage. The contrast between Nate in Maid and Sav in Degrassi is the best way to see how much facial hair changes his "screen presence."
- Follow the Red Carpet: Keep an eye on his 2025 and 2026 appearance photos. He often fluctuates between a full beard and a very close-cropped "shadow" look during the off-season of filming.
- Check Out the Indie Shorts: Raymond has produced and starred in several short films (like Inside the Actors Cult). These often feature him with different styles than his mainstream Netflix roles.
Whether you prefer him rugged and bearded or clean-cut and classic, there's no denying he's one of the most versatile actors working right now. The hair is just the cherry on top.