“3, 2, 1, everyone laugh!” The cast of the upcoming college comedy A Different World is gathered in front of a booth in the heart of Hollywood, posing for the camera. The group heeds the direction of their ringleader, Alijah Kai, and eight perfect grins are aimed at the camera; six of them belong to Kai and her A Different World co-stars. In the center, however, are two faces that would be very familiar to Outer Banks fans: Jonathan Daviss and Carlacia Grant. 

Jordan Aaron Hall, Maleah Joi Moon, Chibuikem Uche, Kennedi Reece, Jonathan Daviss, Carlacia Grant, Cornell Young IV, and Alijah Kai

PHOTO BY AMY SUSSMAN/GETTY IMAGES

Just a few seconds prior, Daviss and Grant were hanging out with their co-stars at another booth nearby, sharing cocktails and french fries with the likes of Chase Stokes, Madison Bailey, Drew Starkey, and Austin North. But, this hot Los Angeles evening is for mingling — and maybe even getting an impromptu tattoo or dancing down the lavender carpet — as Netflix gathered its YA stars past, present, and future for one very epic summer bash. 

As glasses clinked and cameras flashed around the well-dressed casts of Outer Banks, On My Block, My Life with the Walter Boys, Best of the Best, Crew Girl, A Different World, The Body, The Sticks, Poser, Better Than the Movies, and so many more, one thing was clear: that heat coming off of Netflix’s YA show and movies has always been stronger than the summer sun — and always will be.  

Daviss, Grant, Chase Stokes, Drew Starkey, and Madison Bailey

PHOTO BY ROGER KISBY

Just over six years ago, Daviss was at a very similar soiree in the spring of 2020. Outer Banks Season 1 had been filmed in 2019, but the series had yet to premiere. Daviss and his friends had no idea how far Pogue life would take them. 

“Now that we’re finishing up the show, we’re finishing up seven years of our lives, the chapter’s kind of closing. I feel like I’m looking back at myself in a way,” Daviss reminisced, ahead of Outer Banks’ upcoming finale season debut on Aug. 20. “You can’t predict anything like this, and you can’t ask for anything more. So I’m just so blessed.”  

Madelyn Cline

PHOTO BY GONZALO MARROQUIN

Stokes looks back on that early memory just as fondly. “I remember that first event when 13 Reasons Why and all these incredible shows were represented. I looked at it and felt like, ‘I wish I could be a part of that,’” he says. “To now be an alumnus? It’s so awesome. I’m really proud that the show that broke the cultural zeitgeist was solely about friendship — the people who are going to go to the end of the world with you.”  

As the sun sets on Outer Banks, Madelyn Cline wants to thank the adventure drama’s fans. “Anytime someone tells me that Sarah has brought them comfort or helped them is huge for me,” she says. “I never thought I would have that kind of impact on people. To know that there are people out there who have that feeling towards me or the show is really, really special.” 

Beatrice Kitsos and David Iacono

PHOTO BY ROGER KISBY

Now, the next class of talent will dive into the big feelings and friendships that come with YA content. “I'm so honored, man. I’d love to bear that torch. It’s cool,” says David Iacono, as he stands next to his Better Than the Movies co-star Beatrice Kitsos. The duo was announced as the teen rom-com’s leads just this month. “It’s important to be able to have young adult stories that are honest and don’t feel like they’re pandering. And this one definitely doesn’t.” 

Kitsos agreed, giving fans a peek into what to expect from the Lynn Painter novel adaptation and her “relatable” new rom-com heroine, Liz Buxbaum. “I love the nerdiness and quirkiness and awkwardness of Liz. I think it makes her so lovable.”  

If anyone knows about portraying a charming overachiever, it’s Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, who first stole hearts as Devi Vishwakumar in Mindy Kaling’s high school comedy Never Have I Ever. Ramakrishnan beat out 15,000 competitors for the role with a self-taped audition she filmed with her high school friends at a community library. “It is a real magical story,” she said during the night’s live recording of the Shut Up Evan podcast. Next, Ramakrishnan is showing a whole new side of herself as the star of the coming-of-age dance comedy Best of the Best, premiering Sept. 18.   

“That was a story that was, yes, centered around a brown girl, but it’s also a good story. And that’s how I feel about Never Have I Ever,” Ramakrishnan says. “Damn good writing and good stories make it all around the world, and become hits.” 

Lizzy Greene, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and Anna Cathcart

PHOTO BY ROGER KISBY

Like Ramakrishnan, Anna Cathcart has been at the center of Netflix’s YA evolution for years. She broke out in 2018’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before as Kitty Song-Covey, little sister to the now-beloved teen rom-com’s leading lady, Lara Jean Song-Covey (Lana Condor). In 2023, Kitty wrangled her own spin-off series, XO, Kitty, which follows Kitty on her high school adventures in South Korea; the comedy’s third season aired earlier this year. 

“When I hear fans saying they grew up with the To All the Boys universe and Kitty, I’m like, ‘I did too. I was right there with you,’” she says. “I was also growing up holding their hand and getting to experience it — just on the other side of the screen.” 

Chibuikem Uche, Neha Gundubogula, Ankur Rathee, Kennedi Reece, Jordan Aaron Hall, Nico Greetham, Amryn Khurana, Cornell Young IV, Malean Joi Moon, and Tanishq Joshi

PHOTO BY ROGER KISBY

Now, A Different World lead Maleah Joi Moon is preparing to come of age with a brand-new bunch of fans. Moon plays Deborah Wayne, a freshman at the iconic (and fictional) Hillman College. “She’s a mess — and that’s the wonderful thing about her,” Moon explains. “I hope she inspires people my age (or not my age) to know that the messy part is what creates greatness.” 

Mess is also on the mind of BET’s Miku Martineau, who will debut as the star of Crew Gir when it hits shore on Sept. 10. “What I want them to know is that you can expect a lot of drama, a lot of abs, a lot of rowing,” she said, flanked by co-stars Sam Braun and Kyle Clark. “Adolescence is messy, but it’s beautiful, and we navigate friendships and romances and a lot of family dynamics” 

Kyle Clark, Miku Martineau, and Samuel Braun

PHOTO BY ROGER KISBY

After five seasons of Outer Banks, Cline is an expert on all three of those topics. So what guidance does she have for new stars like Martineau? “They don’t need my advice!” she swears. “I’ve been able to meet some of them, and the next generation is looking mighty fine to me.” 

See the next wave of Netflix YA talent with the following upcoming debuts: Crew Girl (Sept. 10), Best of the Best (Sept. 18), A Different World (Sept. 24), and The Body (Nov. 11). Then, The Sticks and Poser will hit your screens in 2027. 

Additional reporting by Keisha Hatchett. 

PHOTO BY ROGER KISBY