Josephine Langford is a name that has become synonymous with emotional intensity, on-screen magnetism, and the global success of the After film franchise. While millions recognize her as Tessa Young—the conflicted, passionate protagonist of the hit romantic drama series—there’s far more to this rising Australian star than meets the eye. Born on August 18, 1997, in Perth, Western Australia, Josephine grew up in the peaceful riverside suburb of Applecross. Raised in a family of medical professionals, her father Stephen Langford is a renowned flying doctor and her mother Elizabeth is a respected pediatrician, yet Josephine chose a different path early on, one that led her away from medicine and toward the performing arts. From a young age, Josephine showed a love for creativity, immersing herself in music and learning to play the saxophone, violin, and piano.
At just ten years old, she won “Song of the Year” at a music competition for a piece she composed titled “Shadows,” signaling her talent and emotional depth even before she appeared on screen. Her interest in acting began in earnest at the age of thirteen when she started attending acting classes, eventually enrolling at Perth Film School in 2012. Her early forays into film included short projects such as Sex Ed and Gypsy Blood, where she began building her confidence and range as a performer. Her breakout onto the larger stage came in 2017 with a role in the indie film Pulse, followed by a performance in the horror film Wish Upon, where she acted alongside rising Hollywood names like Joey King. That same year, she made her television debut with a guest role on the Australian thriller series Wolf Creek, portraying Emma Webber in two episodes and further proving her versatility. However, it was in 2018 that her life changed dramatically.
She was cast as Tessa Young in the adaptation of Anna Todd’s viral Wattpad novel After just one week before shooting began, after initially auditioning for a different role in the same film. Her chemistry with co-star Hero Fiennes Tiffin and her emotionally grounded performance helped elevate the film beyond its teen-romance roots. After (2019) went on to become a surprise box office hit, grossing nearly $70 million worldwide on a modest budget. Josephine reprised her role in all four sequels—After We Collided, After We Fell, After Ever Happy, and After Everything—solidifying her place as one of the most prominent faces of contemporary young adult cinema. Her performance in After also earned her the 2019 Teen Choice Award for Choice Drama Movie Actress, an accolade that reflected her growing popularity among global youth audiences. Despite her fame, Josephine remains a remarkably private figure. She has often said in interviews that she is an overthinker and doesn’t enjoy the performative aspects of celebrity culture. While she does maintain a presence on Instagram, she posts infrequently and avoids public feuds or oversharing, choosing instead to let her work speak for itself. This intentional distance from the limelight makes her all the more intriguing to fans, who appreciate her grounded personality and thoughtful approach to fame. Many also don’t realize that she has a famous sibling—her older sister Katherine Langford, best known for her lead role in Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why.
The sisters rarely appear together in public or on social media, and both have spoken about wanting to maintain their separate identities and careers, even as speculation about their relationship swirls online. Outside the After universe, Josephine has proven she can handle a wide range of roles. In 2021, she appeared in Moxie, a Netflix film directed by Amy Poehler that tackled themes of feminism and teenage activism. She then took on the role of Zoey Miller in The Other Zoey, a 2023 romantic comedy, and played Katy Gibson in Gigi & Nate (2022), a heartfelt drama about resilience and human connection. These performances showed her comedic timing, dramatic intensity, and capacity for more grounded, adult characters—offering a glimpse at the range she will likely explore in future projects.
Despite her success and international fan base, Josephine remains deeply connected to her Australian roots. She often references her upbringing in interviews and has said that the calm, nature-oriented environment of Western Australia gave her a sense of balance that she carries into her work. While Hollywood has a way of pulling young actors into a whirlwind of chaos and image-obsession, Josephine Langford has thus far remained true to herself, consistently delivering nuanced performances while avoiding the noise. In a time when celebrity culture often prizes overexposure and constant online presence, Josephine represents a different kind of star—one who thrives on her own terms. Her story is one of quiet determination, steady growth, and fearless choice-making. From composing songs as a child to playing one of the most complex romantic leads in modern young adult cinema, Josephine Langford is proof that talent, privacy, and authenticity can still shine brightly in a media-saturated world.
