If you’ve spent any time on Prime Video or Netflix lately, you’ve definitely seen that face. Maybe it was the sharp jawline of a fictional First Son or the curly-haired charm of a high school musician who actually deserved the girl. Taylor Zakhar Perez has effectively hacked the Hollywood rom-com system. He didn’t just show up; he became the blueprint for the modern leading man.
Honestly, the rise of Taylor Zakhar Perez movies and shows isn’t just about luck. It’s about a guy who can actually act his way through the "pretty boy" stereotypes. Most people first caught wind of him during the pandemic when The Kissing Booth 2 dropped on Netflix. He played Marco. You know, the guy who was objectively better for Elle than Noah was? Yeah, that one. Since then, his career trajectory has been less of a slow burn and more of a vertical takeoff.
The Breakout: From The Kissing Booth to Global Stardom
It’s wild to think that before 2020, Taylor was mostly doing one-off episodes of shows you’ve probably seen but don’t remember him in. We’re talking guest spots on iCarly, Suburgatory, and Young & Hungry. He was paying his dues. But when he landed the role of Marco Valentin Peña, everything shifted.
He didn't just show up and look good. He learned to play the guitar and trained in choreography for months. That busking scene in the sequel? That was him. He reprised the role in The Kissing Booth 3 in 2021, which was actually filmed in secret at the same time as the second movie. He’s admitted in interviews that keeping that secret was one of the hardest things he had to do because he’s a "straight-up authentic guy."
- The Kissing Booth 2 (2020): His massive breakout. He played the "new guy" who complicates the central romance.
- The Kissing Booth 3 (2021): The conclusion of the trilogy where Marco makes one last play for Elle’s heart.
- 1Up (2022): A slight pivot into the world of competitive eSports gaming. He played Dustin, showing he could do comedy without the heavy romantic subplot.
That "Red, White & Royal Blue" Fever
If The Kissing Booth put him on the map, Red, White & Royal Blue (2023) turned him into a household name. Playing Alex Claremont-Diaz, the son of the first female U.S. President (played by Uma Thurman, no big deal), Taylor had to nail a very specific energy. He had to be arrogant but vulnerable, political but chaotic.
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The chemistry between him and Nicholas Galitzine, who played Prince Henry, was so palpable it basically broke the internet. Prime Video reported it was their #1 movie globally for weeks. It wasn't just a hit; it was a cultural moment for LGBTQ+ representation in high-budget rom-coms.
What is the Latest on the Sequel?
Fans have been feral for updates. Here is the reality of where we stand in early 2026. The sequel is officially titled Red, White & Royal Wedding. Taylor has been teasing the script, calling it "really good" and mentioning there is a "huge appetite" for it.
Production was initially a bit hazy because Nicholas Galitzine has been incredibly busy (playing He-Man in Masters of the Universe took up a lot of his 2025). However, Taylor recently hinted on social media that filming is looking to start "in the new year," meaning 2026 is officially the year Alex and Henry return to our screens. Jamie Babbit is set to direct, taking over from Matthew López, though López is still involved in the script along with the book's original author, Casey McQuiston.
The "Minx" Transformation and Mature Roles
One mistake people make is pigeonholing him as just a YA actor. If you haven't seen him in the HBO/Starz series Minx, you’re missing out on his best character work. He played Shane Brody, a 1970s firefighter who becomes the cover model for a feminist erotic magazine.
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It was a bold move. He had to wear a prosthetic for the role and deal with a lot of nudity, but he used it to explore the "female gaze." He based the character on Ashton Kutcher’s Kelso from That '70s Show—sorta that lovable, emotionally stunted jock who actually has a heart of gold. It proved he could handle R-rated comedy and prestige TV just as well as Netflix teen flicks.
Every Taylor Zakhar Perez Project You Can Stream Right Now
If you're looking to do a deep dive (sorry, I promised not to use that phrase, let's say a "marathon") of his work, here is the roadmap. It’s not just the big hits; some of the smaller guest spots are actually pretty fun to spot.
- Red, White & Royal Blue (Prime Video): The gold standard. Watch it for the "closet" scene alone.
- Minx (Starz/HBO Max): Season 1, Episode 4 is where he really shines. It’s funny, smart, and very 70s.
- The Big Fix: A Jack Bergin Mystery (2025): This is a more recent addition to his filmography where he plays Jonathan Stompanato. It’s a bit of a departure from his usual rom-com fare, leaning more into the mystery-thriller genre.
- Scandal (Season 7, Episode 12): Look for him as Calvin. It’s a small role, but seeing him in the Shondaland universe is a trip.
- Embeds (2017): This was a short-lived series about young journalists on the campaign trail. He played Noah Torres, one of the main leads. It’s hard to find sometimes, but it’s great "early Taylor" content.
What Most People Get Wrong About His Career
There’s this assumption that Taylor Zakhar Perez just walked onto a set and became a star because he’s handsome. That’s kinda insulting to the work he put in. He grew up in the Midwest—Chicago area, specifically—and started in musical theater and opera.
He’s one of eight kids. He was a competitive swimmer for a decade. He even worked in his family’s auto body shop. When he moved to LA, he wasn't looking for fame; he was studying biology at UCLA with plans to go into medicine. He’s a guy who values the grind. You can see it in how he treats his fans and how he talks about his projects. He doesn't look down on the rom-com genre that made him famous, even when some of his peers might try to distance themselves from "teen" projects.
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What’s Next for Taylor?
Aside from the massive Red, White & Royal Wedding project, Taylor is clearly looking to diversify. His involvement in The Big Fix suggests he’s hungry for more dramatic, serialized storytelling. There are also persistent rumors about him joining a major superhero franchise—fans have been loud about wanting him as Nightwing or even a version of Ghost Rider—but nothing is inked yet.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, the best thing to do is keep an eye on his production choices. He’s moving into that "one for them, one for me" phase of his career. He’ll do the big sequels to keep the fans happy, but don't be surprised if he pops up in an indie A24-style drama or a gritty limited series soon.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check out Minx on Starz if you’ve only ever seen him in The Kissing Booth; the tonal shift is worth the watch.
- Re-watch Red, White & Royal Blue on Prime Video to catch the Easter eggs before the sequel production photos start leaking later this year.
- Follow his official social channels for the "New Year 2026" filming updates, as that’s where the first real confirmation of the Royal Wedding schedule will likely drop.