During the uncertain and isolating early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the entertainment industry was brought to an abrupt halt. Productions were delayed, sets were abandoned, and actors found themselves navigating a new world of masks, protocols, and uncertainty. But for Australian rising star Josephine Langford, best known for her role as Tessa Young in the After film series, the chaos that surrounded the filming of After We Fell turned out to have an unexpected silver lining.
Langford, then in her early twenties, had already gained international attention for her portrayal of the complicated and passionate Tessa. With the third installment of the franchise set to film during a global crisis, many wondered whether the production could maintain its momentum—or if the constraints of the pandemic would dim its emotional intensity. But in interviews and behind-the-scenes accounts, Langford has revealed that the unusual circumstances of filming not only brought challenges but also helped her grow—both as an actress and as a person.
Filming After We Fell required the cast and crew to live in a tightly regulated “bubble,” with daily testing, quarantines, and limited contact with the outside world. For Langford, who had previously been used to a more collaborative and socially open set, the restrictions could have felt isolating. But instead, she found herself leaning into the experience, using the quiet to dig deeper into her character’s emotional arc. “It forced me to slow down and really reflect,” Langford once noted in a post-production interview. “There wasn’t much to distract you. That created a weird sort of focus—and strangely, a closeness with the people around you, because we were all going through it together.”
Indeed, the bubble created a kind of creative incubator. With fewer outside distractions and more time spent in close quarters, Langford and her co-star Hero Fiennes Tiffin (who plays Hardin Scott) developed an even stronger on-screen chemistry. The rawness and intimacy between Tessa and Hardin in After We Fell resonated with fans—and some say the pandemic may have contributed to the emotional authenticity of their performances.
Beyond her performance, Langford also had time to reflect on the trajectory of her career. Unlike many young stars thrust into the spotlight, she has often shied away from the glamour of Hollywood, preferring to keep her private life guarded and her focus squarely on the craft of acting. The stillness of the pandemic shoot allowed her to double down on that commitment. “I wasn’t traveling or attending events or doing press junkets in person,” she said. “There was just the work, the character, and the camera. It was oddly grounding.”
The silver lining came not only in personal growth but in the end product. After We Fell, despite its limited budget and constrained filming conditions, was completed on time and proved a hit with fans around the globe. It showcased Langford’s growing range as an actress—balancing vulnerability, strength, and emotional conflict with grace. Critics who had initially been skeptical of the franchise’s staying power noted that Langford’s steady presence was a key reason for its continued success. Her portrayal of Tessa—once viewed as part of a simple teen romance—had evolved into something far more textured and believable. And for Langford, who began acting at a young age in Australia and had long sought complex roles, After We Fell offered a moment of validation.
She also developed a deep appreciation for the crew and fellow cast members who stuck it out through the long, COVID-restricted months. “We relied on each other a lot,” she reflected. “In a way, it reminded me why I love being on set. It’s the people. It’s the shared energy and effort that go into every scene.” When asked whether she would want to film under such strict circumstances again, Langford laughed and said, “Hopefully not—but I’m grateful for what it taught me. It reminded me that art can still thrive, even in the most unexpected conditions.”
In the end, the production of After We Fell during the pandemic became more than just a logistical hurdle—it was a defining moment for its star. Josephine Langford didn’t just deliver a performance; she demonstrated resilience, maturity, and the ability to find grace amid adversity.
