Nickelodeon had a weirdly specific habit in the mid-2010s of blending sports tropes with classic teen sitcom energy. It worked. Bella and the Bulldogs was the peak of that era. You remember the premise: a head cheerleader named Bella Dawson decides she’s tired of the sidelines and tries out for the school football team. She makes it. Chaos ensues. But while the show was a hit for two seasons before taking its final bow in 2016, the actors in Bella and the Bulldogs didn't just disappear once the jerseys were turned in.
It’s actually fascinating.
Some went the prestige TV route. Others jumped into massive film franchises. A few basically retired from the spotlight to live normal lives, which is honestly the most relatable move of all. If you grew up watching the Bulldogs take the field at Silverado West, you’ve probably seen these faces pop up in your Netflix queue and didn't even realize it was them.
Brec Bassinger: From Silverado to Stargirl
Brec Bassinger was the soul of the show. Her Texas charm wasn't an act—she’s actually from Saginaw, Texas. When the show ended, everyone wondered if she’d get stuck in the "Nickelodeon bubble." It’s a real thing.
She didn't.
After a few smaller roles, Brec landed the title role in DC’s Stargirl. It was a massive jump from middle school football to high-stakes superhero action. She played Courtney Whitmore for three seasons, and she actually did a lot of her own stunts. That athleticism she displayed as Bella Dawson? It wasn't just for the cameras.
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In interviews, Brec has been vocal about her Type 1 diabetes. She’s used her platform to advocate for the JDRF, proving she’s a leader off-screen too. Recently, she’s been seen in projects like V.C. Andrews' Dawn and has teased some voice acting work. She’s arguably the most successful of the bunch, but she still stays in touch with her former teammates.
Coy Stewart: The Evolution of Troy Dixon
Coy Stewart played Troy, the arrogant-but-lovable quarterback who initially hated having a girl on the team. Coy was already a veteran when he joined the show, having starred in Are We There Yet? But here’s the thing.
Coy didn’t just want to be "the kid actor." He transitioned into much heavier, more artistic roles. You might have seen him in the logic-defying, heartbreaking music video for Logic’s "1-800-273-8255." It was a massive cultural moment, and Coy’s performance was a huge part of why it resonated. He also appeared in The Blacklist and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. He’s deeply into the indie film scene now. He’s also a musician. If you follow him on social media, you’ll see he’s traded the football pads for a very curated, aesthetic-heavy lifestyle that’s a far cry from the locker room humor of Silverado West.
The Supporting Cast: Where Are Newt, Sawyer, and Sophie?
The ensemble was what made the show feel like a real school.
Buddy Handleson played Newt, the sensitive kid who was often the butt of the joke. Buddy made headlines a few years ago when he came out as gay, receiving a huge wave of support from the Nickelodeon community. Since the show, he’s stepped back from the limelight a bit to focus on his personal life and education, though he did appear in the Netflix show Sydney to the Max.
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Then there’s Jackie Radinsky, who played the cowboy-hat-wearing Sawyer Huggins. Jackie was always the most "Texas" thing about the show. Post-Bulldogs, he appeared in The Goldbergs, but he’s shifted his focus significantly toward photography and film production. He’s one of those guys who seems to prefer being behind the lens rather than in front of it these days.
Lilimar Hernandez played Sophie, Bella’s best friend and the sassiest cheerleader on the squad. Lilimar has a very distinct voice—it’s deep, husky, and perfect for animation. She’s stayed incredibly busy in the voice acting world, voicing characters in Cleopatra in Space and The Owl House. She also starred in another Nick show, Knight Squad.
- Haley Tju (Pepper): She’s been working non-stop. From Amphibia to The Loud House, she’s a voice-over powerhouse.
- Rio Mangini (Ace McFumbles): This one might surprise you. Rio is a piano prodigy. He still acts (he was in Everything Sucks! on Netflix), but his musical talent is world-class.
- Dorien Wilson (Coach Russell): A sitcom legend. He was already famous from The Parkers, and he’s continued to work steadily in various TV movies and series.
Why the Show Still Has a Cult Following
Shows like Bella and the Bulldogs don't usually stay in the public consciousness for a decade. Usually, they’re replaced by the next shiny thing. But this one was different because it tackled gender roles without being overly "preachy" for 2015 standards.
It was about a girl who just wanted to play.
The chemistry between the actors in Bella and the Bulldogs felt genuine because it mostly was. They were all roughly the same age, growing up on a soundstage together. When you look at their social media interactions today, there’s a lack of the typical "Hollywood bitterness." They actually seem to like each other.
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The Reality of Post-Nickelodeon Life
Let’s be real for a second. Being a child star is a gamble. For every Ariana Grande, there are a hundred kids who never work again. The cast of Bella and the Bulldogs seems to have found a healthy middle ground. They aren't all A-list movie stars, but they aren't "where are they now" tragedies either.
They’re working professionals.
They’ve navigated the transition from "kid actors" to "adult actors" with a surprising amount of grace. Whether it's Brec leading a superhero show or Coy doing experimental short films, they’ve diversified. That’s the secret to staying relevant in an industry that’s designed to use you up by age 19.
What You Should Watch Next
If you're feeling nostalgic, you can usually find the series on Paramount+ or TeenNick. But if you want to see what the cast is doing in their adult careers, here’s a quick roadmap:
- Watch Stargirl for Brec Bassinger. It’s genuinely good television, even if you aren't a huge comic book fan.
- Check out The Owl House to hear Lilimar’s voice work.
- Look up Coy Stewart’s music and short films if you want something more mature and artistic.
- Follow Rio Mangini on Instagram just to watch him play the piano; it’s mind-blowing.
The "Bulldogs" might have graduated, but the careers of these actors are still very much in play. They’ve proven that you can survive the transition from a teen sitcom and come out the other side with a pretty impressive resume.
To keep up with the cast today, your best bet is following their verified Instagram profiles. Most of them are quite active and often share "throwback" photos from the set, giving fans a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of Silverado West. You can also track their upcoming projects on IMDb Pro, which lists several indie films currently in post-production featuring various cast members. For those interested in the industry side, Brec Bassinger’s various podcast appearances offer the most candid look at what it’s really like to lead a Nickelodeon production and then transition into the DC Universe.