How Josh Hutcherson Uniquely Shaped His Character in "I Love LA"
Josh Hutcherson joined Rachel Sennott’s HBO comedy I Love LA late in the casting process after the pilot episode was filmed. Despite the timing, he played an active role in developing his character, the longterm live-in boyfriend of Sennott's character, Maia, collaborating closely with Sennott and co-showrunner Emma Barrie.
Collaborative Character Development
Hutcherson explained their shared vision for the character to TheWrap:
“We very quickly all got on the same page, which was we didn’t want Dylan to just be the square, the boring, nothing guy. We wanted to find some textures to him that felt funny and dynamic and different, rather than something that we’ve seen before.”
As they refined Dylan's character—who was originally portrayed by Miles Robbins in the pilot—they explored his core motivations, desires, and reasons for being with Maia. Hutcherson said this collaborative process helped expand the character beyond the script.
Character Evolution from Pilot to Series
- The initial role was played by Miles Robbins in the pilot.
- The team reimagined Dylan to avoid clichés and bring more depth.
- Focus was on making Dylan funny, dynamic, and distinct.
Author's Summary
Josh Hutcherson played a key creative role in shaping Dylan on I Love LA, turning a potentially bland character into a nuanced, engaging presence through collaboration and thoughtful reinvention.