When After We Fell, the third installment of the After franchise, hit theaters in 2021, fans of Tessa Young and Hardin Scott’s tumultuous romance were met with a jarring surprise: a major cast overhaul. The film, based on Anna Todd’s bestselling novels, saw five key supporting characters recast, including fan-favorite Landon Gibson, sparking heated discussions on X and confusion among “Afternators.” These changes, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, scheduling conflicts, and production logistics, altered the dynamic of the series while keeping its core romance intact. How exactly did the new cast reshape After We Fell? Let’s explore the who, why, and impact of this dramatic shift in the After universe.
The most notable recast was Landon Gibson, Hardin’s supportive stepbrother and Tessa’s close friend. Shane Paul McGhie, who portrayed Landon in After (2019) and After We Collided (2020), was replaced by Chance Perdomo, known for Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. McGhie’s exit, announced via Instagram, hinted at contractual disagreements, stating, “I had to stand up for me, the way Landon would.” Other major recasts included Tessa’s mother, Carol Young (Selma Blair replaced by Mira Sorvino), Hardin’s mother, Karen Scott (Karimah Westbrook replaced by Frances Turner), publishing executive Christian Vance (Charlie Weber replaced by Stephen Moyer), and his fiancée, Kimberly Vance (Candice King replaced by Arielle Kebbel). The After movie’s Instagram post on October 7, 2020, confirmed these changes, citing “difficult choices” due to the pandemic’s impact on production.
The primary catalyst for these recasts was the global upheaval caused by COVID-19. Unlike the first two films, shot in Atlanta, Georgia, After We Fell and its sequel, After Ever Happy, were filmed back-to-back in Sofia, Bulgaria, starting in October 2020. Bulgaria’s lower COVID-19 case rates made it a safer filming location, but international travel restrictions and strict quarantine protocols posed significant barriers for U.S.-based actors. The extended shooting schedule for two films further complicated matters, clashing with cast members’ other commitments. For instance, Westbrook’s role in All American likely conflicted with the Bulgaria shoot, while Blair’s ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis, noted by fans on Reddit, may have limited her ability to travel. These logistical challenges forced producers to recast roles to ensure the films could be completed on time.
The new cast brought fresh interpretations to their characters, though not without controversy. Chance Perdomo’s Landon retained the character’s warmth but added a more assertive edge, fitting the film’s darker tone as Tessa and Hardin navigate family secrets in Seattle. Mira Sorvino’s Carol Young leaned into a colder, more judgmental persona, amplifying tension with Tessa, while Stephen Moyer’s Christian Vance introduced a sharper, more commanding presence compared to Weber’s softer portrayal. Frances Turner and Arielle Kebbel, as Karen and Kimberly, adapted well to their roles, though some fans felt the chemistry with returning leads Josephine Langford (Tessa) and Hero Fiennes-Tiffin (Hardin) lacked the familiarity of earlier films. Posts on X reflected mixed reactions, with one user noting, “New Landon’s cool, but I miss Shane’s vibe,” while others struggled to adjust to the new faces, saying, “Too many swaps messed with the flow.”
