The first season of Heartbreak High was loved by millions of people around the world. Aussie actor Sam Rechner was one of them, which made it a bit difficult for him when he was cast in the second season as new Hartley High student Rowan Callaghan.
Advertisement
“I became a fan of the other actors,” he tells TV WEEK, “so I had to get over that feeling before shooting.”
Heartbreak High’s second season kicks off at the start of term two. Rowan, who’s from Dubbo in country NSW, turns up wearing a vest. The principal, Woodsy (Rachel House), decides to help him settle in by pairing him up with Malakai (Thomas Weatherall). The pair hit it off immediately.
“I’m a heterosexual male, and to do intimacy in general can be kind of intimidating,” Sam, 22, admits. “But to do it with a partner you wouldn’t explore with off camera was nerve-racking. But also super-exciting.”
Advertisement
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
7 one-piece swimsuits to chase the sun in style this summer
Enter TV WEEK Issue 41 Puzzles Online
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
‘Nobody Wants This’ has officially been renewed for a second season
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
Everything you need to know about Amazon’s current sale, Prime Big Deal Days
Our guide to shopping the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales this year
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
My hairdresser told me to wash my hair twice a week. This dry shampoo got me through it
Get your Christmas shopping sorted with The Iconic’s Black Friday sales
Keen to get your hands on some Apple merch? These are the best Black Friday sales in Australia to keep an eye on
We’re nudists! So, we had a nude wedding!
So where does that leave Amerie (Ayesha Madon), who’s still attracted to Malakai? She’s appointed herself Harper’s (Asher Yasbincek) bodyguard – who may need one, with someone leaving a dead ibis lying on her bag. Quinni (Chloé Hayden) makes it her new life purpose to discover the identity of Bird Psycho.
As for Darren (James Majoos), he’s preoccupied with Ca$h (Will McDonald), who’s currently behind bars.
Meanwhile, the SLT class has new members: Zoe Clarke (Kartanya Maynard) and her gang of Puriteens. But they’re on a collision course with a group of boys led by sports teacher Timothy Voss (Angus Sampson). He believes Hartley High has become a “woke snowflake nightmare”. The groups face off in a footy game, where Missy (Sherry-Lee Watson) makes a big impression.
Advertisement
Sam, who played AFL and rugby growing up, says it was nice to film a scene that showed his love of sport.
“That was my first passion, to play professional rugby – until I had some head injuries,” he explains.
Having made his movie debut in Steven Spielberg’s 2022 coming-of-age drama The Fabelmans, Sam is now based in Los Angeles, but stays connected with the Heartbreak High cast.
“Brodie [Townsend, who plays Ant], I saw just the other day in LA,” he says. “It was a very meaningful experience to shoot that second season, so I’m looking forward to staying in touch and getting back and seeing everyone again.”
Advertisement
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
7 one-piece swimsuits to chase the sun in style this summer
Enter TV WEEK Issue 41 Puzzles Online
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
‘Nobody Wants This’ has officially been renewed for a second season
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
Everything you need to know about Amazon’s current sale, Prime Big Deal Days
Our guide to shopping the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales this year
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
My hairdresser told me to wash my hair twice a week. This dry shampoo got me through it
Get your Christmas shopping sorted with The Iconic’s Black Friday sales
Keen to get your hands on some Apple merch? These are the best Black Friday sales in Australia to keep an eye on
We’re nudists! So, we had a nude wedding!
ProfileHelen Vnuk
Helen Vnuk
Related stories
7 one-piece swimsuits to chase the sun in style this summer
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
Enter TV WEEK Issue 41 Puzzles Online
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
‘Nobody Wants This’ has officially been renewed for a second season
Everything you need to know about Amazon’s current sale, Prime Big Deal Days
Our guide to shopping the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales this year
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
My hairdresser told me to wash my hair twice a week. This dry shampoo got me through it
Get your Christmas shopping sorted with The Iconic’s Black Friday sales
Keen to get your hands on some Apple merch? These are the best Black Friday sales in Australia to keep an eye on
We’re nudists! So, we had a nude wedding!
Native ad body.
Sponsored by %%sponsor_name%%
Sign up for our newsletter
Sign up to receive the TV WEEK e-Newsletter and offers we choose to share with you straight to your inbox
Disclaimer: By joining, you agree to our Privacy Policy & Terms of Use
Advertisement