The concept of “retroshade” refers to Mercury’s retrograde shadow period, which occurs both before and after a Mercury retrograde
The creation of this article included the use of AI and was edited by human content creators. Read more on our AI policy here.
For five seasons, MTV’s Awkward captured the messy, complicated, and often cringe-worthy reality of high school life. The coming-of-age series, which wrapped up in 2016, began with a premise that hooked viewers immediately: a major misunderstanding that completely upends the life of teenager Jenna Hamilton. What followed was a show that gave audiences an intimate window into Jenna’s world—her struggles, her romantic entanglements, and her innermost thoughts—all revealed through her personal blog posts.
The series resonated with viewers who saw themselves in these characters navigating the turbulent waters of adolescence. Now, nearly a decade later, fans often wonder what became of the actors who brought these beloved characters to life. Here’s a comprehensive look at where each cast member has landed since saying goodbye to their high school roles
Ashley Rickards Played Jenna Hamilton
Ashley Rickards, now 33 years old, portrayed the show’s protagonist, Jenna Hamilton—the girl whose life spirals after a misunderstanding leads everyone to believe she attempted to harm herself.
READ MORE: We Were All Busy Surviving 2016 — But These 13 Blasts From the Past Were Iconic
After Awkward concluded, Rickards continued building her acting career across both television and film. In 2017, she appeared in The Outcast and Killer App. She also took on darker material, starring in the R-rated horror thriller Smiley Face Killers in 2020—a significant departure from her MTV roots.
On the television front, Rickards appeared in ctrl alt delete and made her most recent TV appearance on The Flash, the popular DC Comics superhero series.
Beau Mirchoff Played Matty McKibben
Beau Mirchoff played the popular jock who becomes entangled in a complicated relationship with Jenna. Matty was the kind of character who could have easily been one-dimensional—the typical popular guy—but Mirchoff brought depth to the role.
In fact, Mirchoff had a personal connection to his character that informed his performance. When he read the script for Awkward, he immediately recognized something familiar in Matty’s story. “I remember actually liking a girl in high school who was kind of an outcast and weird, and people made fun of her. I remember hanging out with her, but I was apprehensive about telling anyone I really liked her,” he revealed to Collider.
READ MORE: Why We Can’t Stop Listening to 2016: The Songs That Defined a Decade Ago and Still Resonate Today
Since the show ended, Mirchoff has maintained a steady presence on screen. He appeared in critically acclaimed series including The Fosters, and also landed roles in I’m Dying Up Here and Narcos: Mexico, the Netflix crime drama chronicling the rise of drug cartels.
His most recent acting credits include Good Trouble, the spinoff of The Fosters and The Finnish Line in 2024.
Brett Davern Played Jake Rosati
Brett Davern portrayed Jake Rosati, who formed the other point of the show’s central love triangle.
Post-Awkward, Davern kept busy with television work, appearing in procedural dramas like Major Crimes and NCIS: Los Angeles. He also took on roles in Relationship Status and the comedy series Tacoma FD.
On the film side, he appeared in Sitting in Bars With Cake in 2023.
Beyond acting, Davern has carved out an interesting niche for himself in the sports world. He hosts "All Day," the official Seattle Seahawks podcast.
In his personal life, Davern has built a stable family foundation. He has been married to his wife Tricia for over a decade, and together they have two children.
Jillian Rose Reed Played Tamara
Jillian Rose Reed brought infectious energy to the role of Tamara, Jenna’s loyal and fast-talking best friend.
Reed’s post-Awkward career has been impressively diverse. She appeared in series including Daytime Divas, Lucifer and Raven’s Home (the Disney Channel sequel to That’s So Raven). She also lent her voice to the animated Disney series Elena of Avalor.
READ MORE: Nostalgia Used To Be a Serious Mental Health Disorder — But Now It’s Celebrated. Here’s Why
In 2021, Reed married Marty Shannon, and the couple has since embarked on a home renovation journey that Reed has shared with her followers. This personal project has actually evolved into a professional opportunity—Reed now hosts Alt Home on The Design Network, a show exploring unique and unconventional homes.
Perhaps most notably, Reed has channeled her platform into meaningful advocacy work. She has stayed busy with the Breaking The Chains Foundation and created a social media wellness program called How To Love Yourselfie.
Molly Tarlov Played Sadie Saxton
Molly Tarlov played Sadie Saxton, the show’s sharp-tongued antagonist whose cutting remarks became legendary among fans.
After Awkward ended, Tarlov continued acting in projects including No, That’s Okay. I’m Good. and Nasty Habits. However, like several of her castmates, she has also focused on her personal life.
Tarlov married Alexander Noyes in 2017, and the couple welcomed a son in 2020.
Nikki DeLoach Played Lacey Hamilton
Nikki DeLoach played Jenna’s well-meaning but often oblivious mother.
Of all the Awkward cast members, DeLoach has perhaps found the most consistent niche in her post-show career. She has become a Hallmark Channel mainstay, acting in dozens of films for the network known for its feel-good romantic movies and holiday specials.
DeLoach’s recent films include Our Holiday Story in 2024 and Curious Caterer: Forbidden Fruit, also released in 2024. Her steady output of Hallmark content has made her a familiar face to the network’s devoted audience, demonstrating how actors can build sustainable careers by finding their niche.
