Chemistry is a weird thing. You can’t fake it, and you certainly can’t manufacture it in a lab, no matter how much a movie studio spends on lighting and scripts. When the first After movie dropped in 2019, the internet basically exploded. It wasn’t just about the Wattpad source material or the "Bad Boy" trope. It was the specific, almost magnetic pull between Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Josephine Langford.
They weren't just actors playing parts. To millions, they were Hardin Scott and Tessa Young.
Even now, years after the franchise supposedly wrapped up its main arc, the fascination hasn't dipped. If anything, it’s mutated into this permanent fixture of pop culture. You see it on TikTok every single day. Fan edits with millions of views. Detailed theories about their off-screen friendship. It's a lot. But why? Why these two?
The Casting Gamble That Actually Paid Off
Casting a massive book adaptation is a nightmare. Fans already have a "movie" playing in their heads, and the actors rarely live up to the fantasy. Anna Todd, the author of the After series, famously saw something in Hero and Josephine that others might have missed.
Josephine Langford wasn't actually the first choice for Tessa. Her sister, Katherine Langford, was already a massive star from 13 Reasons Why, but Josephine was just a working actor from Perth, Australia, looking for her break. She originally auditioned for a different role—Molly. But when the producers saw her, they realized she had that "steel wrapped in silk" vibe that defines Tessa Young.
Then you have Hero Fiennes Tiffin.
He had the pedigree, sure. He's a Fiennes. His uncles are Ralph and Joseph. He played young Voldemort. But Hardin Scott is a complicated, often toxic, deeply emotional character. Hero brought a specific kind of vulnerability to the role that made the audience forgive Hardin's more... questionable decisions. It was a gamble. It worked.
What Really Happened with Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Josephine Langford?
Let's address the elephant in the room: "Herophine."
Shippers are a dedicated bunch. Because their on-screen chemistry was so visceral, people naturally assumed they were dating in real life. Honestly, it’s a compliment to their acting. But the reality is a bit more grounded. Both actors have been incredibly consistent about their relationship status.
They are friends. Period.
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Hero has mentioned in several interviews, including ones with Cosmopolitan and GQ, that he tends to keep his private life under lock and key. He’s not the guy posting his every meal or relationship milestone on Instagram. Josephine is the same. She’s famously "digitally shy." This lack of information fueled the fire. People love a mystery. When you don't give the public a "no," they turn a "maybe" into a "yes."
The truth is, they shared a very intense experience. They filmed five movies in a relatively short span of time. They traveled the world together. They handled the sudden, overwhelming fame of a global franchise as a unit. That creates a bond, but it doesn't always lead to a romance.
Why the After Movies Became a Global Juggernaut
It’s easy to dismiss these films as "guilty pleasures."
Critics weren't kind. The Rotten Tomatoes scores are, frankly, brutal. But the box office and streaming numbers tell a different story. The movies were massive in Europe, particularly in Italy and France.
- After (2019)
- After We Collided (2020)
- After We Fell (2021)
- After Ever Happy (2022)
- After Everything (2023)
The secret sauce was the accessibility. People saw themselves in the messiness. Hardin and Tessa weren't perfect. They were destructive. They fought. They broke up and got back together a dozen times. In a world of sanitized, perfect superhero romances, the "Hessa" relationship felt raw. Even if it was exaggerated, the emotions felt real to a younger audience navigating their first loves.
The Evolution of the Performances
If you watch the first movie and then jump to After Everything, you see a massive shift in how Hero and Josephine handle their characters.
In the beginning, there was a lot of "newness." By the third and fourth films, they had a shorthand. Josephine, in particular, grew into Tessa’s independence. She stopped being the girl following Hardin around and started being a woman making her own choices. Hero's portrayal of Hardin’s trauma became more nuanced. He moved past the brooding scowl into something more fractured and honest.
Life After After: Where Are They Now?
Both actors are trying to distance themselves from the franchise that made them famous, which is a standard move for any "teen idol." You don't want to be Hardin Scott forever.
Hero Fiennes Tiffin has been busy. He took on a role in The Woman King alongside Viola Davis, which was a huge pivot. It showed he could handle a period piece and hold his own with Oscar winners. He’s also been a face for Ferragamo. He’s leaning into the "leading man" archetype, but with a bit more grit.
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Josephine has been more selective. She starred in Moxie on Netflix, which was a great indie-style departure from the melodrama of After. She also did The Other Zoe. She seems more interested in projects that challenge the "sweet girl" image Tessa Young initially projected.
The Misconceptions about the "After" Set
There’s a lot of talk about the set being chaotic, especially with director changes. Jenny Gage directed the first, then Roger Kumble took over for After We Collided, and finally Castille Landon steered the ship home.
You’d think that would mess with the actors.
Surprisingly, Hero and Josephine were the anchors. They kept the characters consistent even when the directorial vision shifted. They’ve both spoken about how they felt a sense of ownership over Hardin and Tessa. They weren't just taking direction; they were protecting the characters they had lived with for years.
Why the Fanbase Refuses to Let Go
We live in a binge-watch culture. Usually, a show or movie drops, people talk about it for a week, and then it's gone. After didn't follow that rule.
The "Afternators" are a unique breed of fans. They’ve followed the journey from Wattpad to the big screen. For them, Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Josephine Langford represent a specific era of their lives. It’s nostalgia in real-time.
Also, the movies are visually stunning. Even if you hate the plot, the cinematography—especially in the later films shot in Bulgaria—is gorgeous. It creates this "vibe" that works perfectly for social media edits. That’s how a franchise stays alive in 2026. It's not about the DVD sales; it's about the 15-second loops on your "For You" page.
Beyond the Screen: The Fashion and Influence
Hero and Josephine became accidental fashion icons.
Because of their heights and specific looks—Hero with his tall, athletic frame and Josephine with her classic, ethereal features—brands jumped all over them. They weren't just actors; they were "looks."
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They brought a certain level of class to the "YA" genre. Usually, these adaptations feel a bit cheap. But these two made it look like a high-fashion editorial. This helped the movies bridge the gap between "teen movie" and "lifestyle brand."
Navigating the Toxicity Debate
You can't talk about these two without mentioning the criticism of the source material. Many argued that the relationship between Hardin and Tessa glorified toxic behavior.
It's a valid point.
However, both actors have addressed this with a lot of maturity. They view the story as a cautionary tale or a snapshot of a specific, intense kind of young love. They aren't advocating for people to find a Hardin Scott in real life. They are playing characters in a dramatic narrative. This distinction is something they’ve had to navigate carefully in every press junket.
Final Insights on the Legacy of the Duo
Hero Fiennes Tiffin and Josephine Langford will likely be linked for the rest of their careers, much like Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart or Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet.
It’s a blessing and a curse.
It gives them a permanent fanbase, but it also creates a high bar for their future projects. People will always look for that "spark" in their next co-stars. But what’s clear is that they both have the talent to move beyond it. They’ve proven they can carry a global franchise on their backs.
Next Steps for Fans and Researchers
If you want to understand the impact of this duo beyond the headlines, you should look into the specific production hurdles of After We Fell and After Ever Happy. These were filmed back-to-back during a global pandemic in Bulgaria. Understanding the technical constraints—like why certain actors were recast due to travel restrictions—gives a much deeper appreciation for the work Hero and Josephine put in to keep the series afloat.
Additionally, tracking the career trajectory of Hero Fiennes Tiffin’s recent production ventures provides a look at how he is leveraging his After fame to gain more creative control behind the camera. Josephine’s move into voice acting and smaller, character-driven roles suggests she’s prioritizing craft over commercial volume. Monitor their upcoming IMDb credits over the next 18 months; this is the period where they will either solidify their status as serious adult actors or remain "franchise stars."