My Life With the Walter Boys: How On My Block prepared Nikki Rodriguez to lead the Netflix drama

Besides starring in one of Netflix's hottest teen dramas, My Life With the Walter Boys, Nikki Rodriguez is changing what it takes to be a household name. The 22-year-old actress (who plays Jackie Howard) has returned for Season 2!

The series (based on Ali Novak's popular YA novel) follows Jackie's trajectory from a New York accident to a new life in Colorado that is chock full of love. Yet, Rodriguez's fame on Netflix wasn't a surprise; the streamer's beloved coming-of-age comedy, On My Block, gave her the chops to take control of the spotlight.

Rodriguez agreed that her breakout role helped her in preparing for My Life With the Walter Boys. She told The Hollywood Reporter:

"I was really nervous to join that cast because I was aware of the show. I had seen it and I felt like I knew all these people. It was different because I knew people were going to watch that, whereas Walter Boys, you never know what’s gonna happen with a new show. So it was really, really helpful for me as an actor."

"It felt like a big opportunity; I put a lot of pressure on myself, but I also did a lot of work and was pretty confident. It was really nice to see that come together. Then when the show came out, I was pretty proud of it. Then going into Walter Boys, I had a little bit of experience and knowledge, and I’m really, really grateful for that opportunity. I loved that show and that role."

Rodriguez has gone from a supporting character to a series lead on My Life With the Walter Boys, and here's how!

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Nikki Rodriguez’s Netflix glow-up on My Life With the Walter Boys

Rodriguez joined On My Block during its last season, settled into a cast with a loyal following, and a show with cultural impact. She revealed that it was her first time facing large-scale production demands, and she did well.

Rodriguez was already adept at entering a running franchise when My Life With the Walter Boys came along, just that the latter was based on a book.

She developed even more range in season 2. Jackie shows weakness and breaks down in unexpected places while proving her newfound strength because she is no longer buried in grief. Rodriguez stood for accurate cultural representation in the Day of the Dead episode, which grew into a memorable episode.

Crediting her performance to a detailed study, she said,

"It was really, really important to me."

As it steers clear of glamorizing trauma and how she plays her role, Rodriguez uses Pixar's Coco as a guide and writes to find her personal side.

This dedication helps My Life With the Walter Boys move past its soap opera love triangle origins and reel in a loyal, multigenerational fan base.

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What’s next for Jackie (and Nikki)?

Fans must hold tight as they complain about Jackie's relationship with Cole (Noah LaLonde) at this point.

ALSO READ: Do Cole and Jackie kiss in Season 2?

The upcoming My Life With the Walter Boys Season 3, which Netflix has already picked up, could zero in on Jackie's goals, Princeton's dreams, and all!

Rodriguez looks forward to new challenges for her character and hopes she can "enjoy being a kid" while trying to heal.

Her dream project would be an action movie or psychological thriller, including stunt training. For now, though, she is enjoying her success. Filming in Calgary lets her escape Hollywood's rush and soak up Banff's mountains.

When asked what her proudest moment was, she said,

"Honestly, this moment right now (...) If little me knew this was my life right now, I think she’d be really excited."

Nikki Rodriguez's fame seems destined, as Walter Boys remains one of Netflix's YA superstars. She proves that leaving a cult favorite can help!

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Watch My Life With the Walter Boys on Netflix.