Every so often, a fresh face bursts onto the scene with that undeniable it factor—effortless charm, leading-man looks, and the kind of talent that makes you stop and take notice. Enter Jason Fernandes, the rising star already drawing comparisons to a young Ralph Macchio in The Karate Kid. But his path to the screen? Let’s just say it’s far from the typical Hollywood story.

From Soccer Goals to Screen Dreams

Born and raised in Vancouver, Jason’s first love wasn’t acting—it was soccer. A natural athlete, he juggled soccer, baseball, and his lifelong loyalty to his favorite hockey teams. He even dabbled in singing, spending a few years in his school choir. But Hollywood? That wasn’t even on his radar.

That all changed in high school when fate (and a Netflix casting call) stepped in. Jason’s soccer team landed a gig as background extras on Lost in Space. It was just a fun, once-in-a-lifetime experience—until life threw him a curveball.

After graduation, Jason worked as a plumber while still pursuing soccer, but a torn ACL forced him to take a step back. With his sports career on hold, he found himself rethinking everything. Then, one day, he stumbled upon a film set near his home, and something clicked. He signed up for acting classes, got himself an agent (because, let’s be real, those leading-man looks weren’t going to waste), and before he knew it, he was booking roles.

Stealing Scenes, Winning Fans

Jason has been making waves with standout roles in CBS’s action-packed drama Fire Country and Freeform’s thrilling Cruel Summer, executive produced by Jessica Biel. But one of his absolute favorite projects? Filming It’s a Wonderful Knife with Justin Long. Not only was it a blast, but shooting at Vancouver’s legendary Rio Theatre made it extra special.

Now, Jason is stepping into the spotlight in an even bigger way with TUBI’s original movie Sidelined: The QB and Me. Based on the wildly popular Wattpad novel The QB Bad Boy and Me (with over 30 million reads!), this YA rom-com has fandom frenzy written all over it. Jason plays Josh Lahey, a football player and brother to Drayton Lahey (played by TikTok star Noah Beck). With co-stars like Nickelodeon’s Siena Agudong and Dawson’s Creek legend James Van Der Beek, this one’s set to be a total must-watch.

What’s Next for Hollywood’s New Heartthrob?

When he’s not busy stealing scenes, Jason is all about staying active. He’s taken up boxing, dabbles in acoustic guitar (future rockstar era incoming?), and is always on the lookout for his next big challenge. Could a musical role be on the horizon?

One thing’s for sure—Jason Fernandes isn’t just another fresh face. He’s got the talent, the drive, and the undeniable star power to take Hollywood by storm. Keep your eyes on this rising star—he’s just getting started!

Photography Credit: Kristine Cofsky Photography