Hollywood is no stranger to famous siblings — from the Hemsworth brothers to the Fannings — but the rise of Josephine and Katherine Langford marks one of the most fascinating stories of sibling success in recent years. Hailing from Perth, Australia, these two talented actresses have each carved out impressive paths in the entertainment industry. While Josephine Langford is best known for her leading role as Tessa Young in the After film series, Katherine Langford rose to fame as Hannah Baker in the groundbreaking Netflix drama 13 Reasons Why.
Though they rarely appear together in public and have largely kept their careers separate, their simultaneous rise has captured the curiosity of fans and industry insiders alike. How did two sisters from Western Australia manage to conquer Hollywood — and what makes their paths both parallel and distinctly different?
Katherine Langford’s big break came in 2017 with the role of Hannah Baker in 13 Reasons Why, a Netflix original series that became a cultural lightning rod. The drama tackled serious themes like suicide, bullying, and mental health — and Katherine’s raw, vulnerable performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Almost overnight, Katherine became one of Hollywood’s most talked-about young actresses. With her dark hair, intense screen presence, and emotional range, she brought depth and sensitivity to a difficult role. Following 13 Reasons Why, she appeared in a variety of projects, including Love, Simon (2018), Knives Out (2019), and Cursed (2020), a Netflix fantasy series where she played a young Lady of the Lake.
While Katherine was making headlines, Josephine was quietly building her own résumé. She landed early roles in indie films like Wish Upon (2017) and Pulse (2017), but her true breakout came with After (2019), based on the bestselling novels by Anna Todd. As Tessa Young — a bookish, driven college freshman who falls for the mysterious Hardin Scott — Josephine captured the emotional turbulence of young love. Starring opposite Hero Fiennes Tiffin, her chemistry with her co-star became a defining part of the film’s success. Though critics gave the first After mixed reviews, fans embraced it wholeheartedly, and it became a streaming sensation.
Josephine reprised her role in After We Collided (2020), After We Fell (2021), After Ever Happy (2022), and After Everything (2023), cementing her as a staple of the YA romance genre. Her portrayal of Tessa showed nuance and maturity, especially as the films progressed into more emotionally complex territory. Despite both working in Hollywood, the Langford sisters have maintained surprisingly separate careers. They’ve never appeared in a film or television project together, and both have remained private about their relationship in interviews. In fact, some fans didn’t even realize they were related until years into their respective careers.
Josephine addressed the comparisons in a 2021 interview, saying:
“I understand the interest, but we’re very independent. We both work hard and take our careers seriously, and we’ve never wanted to be known just as sisters of someone.”Katherine has echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that they support each other but don’t often talk about work in detail. Their determination to be judged on individual merit — rather than family ties — speaks to their professionalism and grounded approach to fame.
One of the most interesting differences between the two sisters is their acting style. Katherine tends to choose roles with emotional gravity — her characters are often navigating intense psychological or social challenges. She has a commanding presence, with a dramatic tone that suits thrillers and epic dramas.
Josephine, by contrast, brings a quiet intensity to her performances. Her characters often start as reserved or introspective and evolve over time, revealing deeper layers of vulnerability. While her role as Tessa in the After films is romantic at its core, her later performances showcase her ability to handle complex emotional arcs.Both are gifted actresses — but where Katherine leans into intensity and transformation, Josephine often explores subtle emotional shifts and understated strength.
With After Everything marking the end of Josephine’s journey as Tessa Young, fans are eagerly waiting to see where she’ll go next. Will she continue with romantic dramas, or shift into new territory like thrillers, period pieces, or comedies? She has already demonstrated impressive range, and the next phase of her career could see her taking on more critically acclaimed roles. Meanwhile, Katherine continues to push boundaries, recently appearing in Savage River (2022), an Australian crime drama that earned her critical praise. With several high-profile projects rumored to be in development, she’s poised to take on even more commanding roles in both film and television.
