Rachel Sennott reveals the reason she chose to cast Josh Hutcherson in her new series I Love LA

I Love LA, Rachel Sennott's new series on HBO, is making waves not only because she wrote, directed, and stars in it. It's also gaining attention for her surprising decision to cast Josh Hutcherson as her boyfriend, Dylan. Sennott claims she didn't select him in order to make headlines but because he was the ideal fit for the role.

In her opinion, Hutcherson provides the correct combination of calm, warmth, and quiet depth that makes Maia's world believable. Rather than playing the typical picture-perfect "TV boyfriend," he grounds the story and makes the relationship credible. His presence lends honesty to both the humorous and emotional scenes in I Love LA.

Sennott explained to Variety that she was highly considerate of who she wanted with her on screen. It wasn't fame or looks, it was all about chemistry, tone, and bringing the show's world to life in a believable way.

Why Rachel Sennott felt Josh Hutcherson would be just right as Dylan in I Love LA

Rachel Sennott explained that I Love LA required a cast who really felt like actual friends, individuals who had a shared past but also drifted apart over time. For Dylan, she needed someone who had charm yet was still real, able to be funny without forced attempts, and laid-back without being dull. Josh Hutcherson was the perfect combination for that role.

Sennott said her casting decisions were all about chemistry. She needed someone who would complement Maia's energy and errors organically, without stealing scenes or disrupting the show's emotional equilibrium. On screen, it works magnificently. Hutcherson's Dylan appears as much a reflection as a balance to Maia, so their relationship feels natural and spontaneous.

The casting of Hutcherson in I Love LA also adds another layer. Because viewers already know him from his previous performances in Bridge to Terabithia and The Hunger Games, they have certain expectations from this role.

Josh Hutcherson’s experience and range

It is easy to stereotype actors who were initially popular in large franchises, yet Sennott cast Hutcherson because she was thinking about variety and nuance. His career has featured not only mega-successes but also smaller, character-driven roles, which have allowed him the flexibility that Sennott sought. He is someone who can be tender, weird, funny, and awkward all in a single scene. Casting him was not a question of nostalgia; it was about finding an actor who could handle changing tones without interrupting the rhythm of the show.

Sennott claimed that she needed somebody who could play it beautifully, someone whose feelings are visible even with the least amount of dialogue. Such a restrained performance allows I Love LA to breathe: the jokes hit their mark, and the silent moments feel believable.

To the audience, one of the surprises of the show is seeing Hutcherson in such a down-toned, multi-dimensional role. The fact that he is in the show indicates that I Love LA cherishes authenticity rather than flash.

How Hutcherson's character Dylan strengthens Maia’s story

At its core, I Love LA is a series about ambition, friendship, and how others change us. Sennott wanted Dylan to be real, not just a supporting character, but someone who grounds Maia and challenges her. Josh Hutcherson brings that equilibrium. His reliable yet mysterious presence allows the show to explore Maia's struggles with love, compromise, and self-discovery, set against the backdrop of a city built on reinvention.

Critics state that Hutcherson's restraint and warmth make his conversations with Sennott extremely engrossing. His performance adds emotional richness, making Maia's story humorous, heartwarming, and human all at once.

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