How Josh Hutcherson Shaped His Character in "I Love LA"
Josh Hutcherson joined Rachel Sennott’s HBO comedy “I Love LA” later than usual, stepping in through a recasting after the pilot was filmed. Despite the late start, Hutcherson collaborated closely with Sennott and co-showrunner Emma Barrie to develop his character, Dylan, the long-term live-in partner of Maia (played by Sennott).
Character Development Approach
“We very quickly all got on the same page, which was we didn’t want Dylan to just be the square, the boring, nothing guy,” Hutcherson told TheWrap. “We wanted to find some textures to him that felt funny and dynamic and different, rather than something that we’ve seen before.”
Initially, the role was played by Miles Robbins in the pilot, but as Hutcherson took over, the creative team redefined Dylan’s core identity. They explored Dylan’s true nature, aspirations, and reasons for being with Maia, enriching the character beyond the original script.
Collaborative Character Building
Hutcherson's contribution helped make Dylan a more complex and multi-dimensional figure, moving away from the stereotype of a dull partner to someone with unique qualities and humor.
Key Points
- Hutcherson was cast after the original pilot filming.
- He worked closely with Sennott and Barrie on character details.
- The goal was to avoid portraying Dylan as a boring or stereotypical partner.
- The character evolved from earlier pilot portrayals to a richer personality.
Author's summary: Josh Hutcherson transformed his role in "I Love LA" by collaborating to create a distinct, lively character, moving beyond clichés to bring humor and depth.