In 2019, the romance drama After stormed into cinemas with the weight of high expectations. Adapted from Anna Todd’s bestselling novel, the film promised a love story that was both intoxicating and tumultuous — and at the center of it all was Hero Fiennes Tiffin’s portrayal of Hardin Scott. In the months following the film’s release, fans and critics alike recognized the magnetic performance at its core, culminating in Hero’s win for Choice Drama Movie Actor at the 2019 People’s Choice Awards.
Hardin Scott, as written in Todd’s novels, is a complicated character — equal parts charm and volatility, tenderness and unpredictability. Translating that duality to the screen was no easy task. The risk lay in reducing him to a stereotype: the brooding bad boy whose appeal relies solely on mystery.
Hero approached the role with an understanding that Hardin’s guarded nature was a shield for deeper wounds. His performance conveyed that emotional layering through more than just dialogue. Small gestures — a shift in posture, a fleeting glance, a falter in his voice — allowed the audience to glimpse the vulnerability beneath Hardin’s hardened exterior. It was this subtlety that elevated the character beyond the page, making him feel like a fully realized person rather than a romantic archetype.
The People’s Choice Awards are unique in that they reflect the voice of the fans. Unlike many industry honors determined by panels of critics or guild members, these awards are won through public voting. Hero’s win for Choice Drama Movie Actor meant that audiences across the globe had connected with his work on a deeply personal level. For a young actor in a breakout role, this kind of recognition is career-defining. It validated not only Hero’s portrayal but also the creative choices that shaped Hardin’s on-screen journey. It proved that fans didn’t just watch his performance — they felt it.
Hero’s 2019 victory was also symbolic of a larger cultural shift in how romantic dramas are valued. For years, love stories — particularly those aimed at young adult audiences — were often dismissed as “lightweight” entertainment. Hero’s win challenged that perception by showing that romantic dramas can be deeply affecting, character-driven narratives that demand nuanced performances. In After, the romance was the framework, but the heart of the story lay in personal growth, emotional reckoning, and the complicated process of learning to trust. Hero’s ability to capture all of this in his portrayal gave the film a dramatic legitimacy that resonated with audiences beyond the core fanbase.
Winning the People’s Choice Award in 2019 cemented Hero’s status as one of the most promising rising stars in romantic cinema. It also set the stage for his return in subsequent After sequels, where he continued to explore Hardin’s evolution. For Hero, the role was more than just a job; it was a launchpad that introduced him to an international audience. It allowed him to demonstrate range — from quiet, intimate moments to emotionally explosive confrontations — and to establish himself as an actor capable of anchoring a film.
One of the defining aspects of Hero’s rise has been his relationship with the After fandom. The same passion that fueled the book’s success carried over to the film, and Hero embraced that connection. His award win felt like a shared victory, one in which fans had played a direct role. This dynamic created a feedback loop: fans championed Hero’s performance, which in turn motivated him to dive even deeper into the role for future installments. In an era where audience engagement can make or break a franchise, this synergy was invaluable. Looking back, Hero’s People’s Choice Award win in 2019 marked a defining moment not just in his career, but in the trajectory of After as a cultural phenomenon. It proved that a romantic drama — when anchored by an emotionally layered performance — could stand alongside more traditionally lauded genres. It also set a benchmark for the kind of storytelling that resonates with modern audiences: authentic, emotionally intelligent, and unafraid to embrace complexity.
Hero Fiennes Tiffin’s portrayal of Hardin Scott was never just about brooding stares and smoldering intensity. It was about peeling back the layers of a character who was as wounded as he was captivating, and allowing audiences to see the humanity beneath the mystique.
His 2019 People’s Choice Award win for Choice Drama Movie Actor was both a recognition of that artistry and a celebration of the deep connection between an actor, a role, and the audience.
In the years since, Hero has continued to take on diverse projects, but for many fans, Hardin Scott will remain the role that first made them believe in his ability to transform a character from the page into something unforgettable on screen. And that, perhaps, is the true legacy of his win.
