Noah LaLonde, star of Netflix’s My Life With the Walter Boys, has described his move from competitive childhood hockey in Michigan to acting and his unexpected status as a screen heartthrob. He said watching films and television helped him understand himself as his interests shifted away from hockey, leading him to pursue acting and eventually play Cole Walter in the teen drama.

LaLonde, 28, joined the series in 2023; its third season has recently been released and a fourth is planned. He is willing to embrace the heartthrob label if it helps the show connect with varied audiences, and said he would welcome a hockey-based acting role, having watched and praised Heated Rivalry for broadening perspectives on the sport.