After captivating global audiences with her emotionally charged portrayal of Tessa Young in the After film series, Josephine Langford is turning the page to a fresh and exciting chapter in her career. With the After franchise finally wrapped after five films, all eyes are now on Langford as she embarks on new cinematic territory. Her first major film post-After is not only a departure from her previous role, but also a bold step that showcases her versatility and ambition as an actress.
Langford’s rise to fame came swiftly thanks to her nuanced performance in After (2019) and its sequels. Playing Tessa—a bright, emotionally complex college student navigating a passionate and often toxic relationship—gave the young actress an opportunity to demonstrate remarkable emotional range. Over the course of the franchise, Langford became a fan favorite, her on-screen chemistry with co-star Hero Fiennes Tiffin driving the series’ success. But with After Everything (2023) marking the final installment, Langford has expressed her desire to move forward and take on roles that challenge her in new ways. In interviews, she has hinted at her eagerness to shed the teen-romance identity and expand her creative horizons.
Her first post-After film, The Other Zoey, is a refreshing change of pace. This romantic comedy, which blends mistaken identity with heartfelt romance, gives Langford a chance to explore a lighter, more comedic side—far removed from the drama and intensity of After. In The Other Zoey, Langford plays Zoey Miller, a brilliant computer science student who finds herself caught in a complicated love triangle after being mistaken for someone else by the campus heartthrob, Zach.
The plot takes an unexpected twist when Zoey, despite her initial reluctance, goes along with the mistaken identity to help Zach’s family—only to discover genuine feelings developing between them. The film combines classic rom-com tropes with a modern sensibility, offering Langford a more playful, relatable role while still allowing her emotional authenticity to shine through.
While audiences are used to seeing Langford portray emotionally intense, often heartbreaking scenes, The Other Zoey reveals her deft comedic timing and natural charm. Her portrayal of Zoey Miller is witty, endearing, and refreshing—a reminder that she’s more than capable of leading a genre outside of drama. Critics have praised her performance for breathing new
