Devon Bostick
Devon Bostick is a Canadian actor best known for portraying Rodrick Heffley in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid film trilogy (2010–2012) and Jasper Jordan in the post-apocalyptic television series The 100 (2014–2017).[1] Born on November 13, 1991, in Toronto, Ontario, Bostick grew up in a family immersed in the entertainment industry, with his mother, Stephanie Gorin, working as a prominent casting director, his father, Joe Bostick, as an actor and fight coordinator, and his younger brother, Jesse Bostick, also an actor.[1][2] He began his acting career at age seven, making his on-screen debut in the Canadian television series Exhibit A: Secrets of Forensic Science in 1998, followed by early film roles in projects like The Truth About the Head (2003) and George A. Romero's Land of the Dead (2005).[1] Bostick's breakthrough came with the Diary of a Wimpy Kid adaptations, where he embodied the slacker older brother Rodrick across three films, earning praise for his comedic timing in family-oriented comedies. He expanded into more dramatic and genre work with roles such as Brent in Saw VI (2009), Simon in Atom Egoyan's Adoration (2008), and Silver in Bong Joon-ho's Okja (2017).[1][3] His television career gained further traction with The 100, where he played series regular Jasper Jordan over the first four seasons, contributing to the show's exploration of survival and morality in a dystopian world.[4] In recent years, Bostick has taken on diverse supporting roles in high-profile projects, including Seth Neddermeyer in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer (2023) and appearances in the anthology series Fargo (Season 5, 2023). As of 2025, he stars in the drama All That We Love (2024) and has upcoming releases such as Mile End Kicks and War of the Worlds, showcasing his versatility across indie films, blockbusters, and sci-fi.[5][6]Early life
Family background
Devon Bostick was born on November 13, 1991, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.[7] His mother, Stephanie Gorin, is a prominent casting director based in Toronto, specializing in stage and screen productions.[7] His father, Joe Bostick, is an actor and film fight coordinator who has worked extensively in the Canadian entertainment industry.[7] Bostick has a younger brother, Jesse Bostick, who is also an actor with credits in various film and television projects.[8] The family's ethnic heritage includes British and Norwegian descent, with his mother's side tracing primarily to English roots and his father's ancestry incorporating Norwegian along with English, German, and Scottish elements.[9][10] Growing up in a household deeply embedded in the entertainment sector, Bostick gained early exposure to acting through his parents' professional networks and activities, which facilitated his initial opportunities in the industry.[1] This familial involvement in film and television provided a foundational influence, immersing him in the world of performance from a young age.[7]Childhood and upbringing
Devon Bostick was born on November 13, 1991, in Toronto, Ontario, where he spent his formative years immersed in the city's vibrant entertainment community, largely influenced by his parents' professions in the industry. His mother, Stephanie Gorin, worked as a prominent casting director for stage and screen in Toronto, while his father, Joe Bostick, was an established actor and fight coordinator, creating a household environment rich with creative stimuli and exposure to performing arts from an early age. This family setting naturally fostered Bostick's initial curiosity about acting, though his parents maintained a neutral stance, neither encouraging nor discouraging his interests.[11][12] Growing up in the Broadview and Danforth neighborhood of Toronto, Bostick's early hobbies revolved around imaginative play and theatrical activities, including participation in children's theatre camps starting in Grade 1, where he took on roles like the old man in Jack and the Beanstalk. These experiences, combined with the familial backdrop of show business, sparked his passion for performing arts, leading him to experiment with self-recorded audition tapes inspired by local talents like Michael Cera. No significant personal upheavals or moves disrupted his Toronto-based childhood, allowing him to develop steadily within this supportive local scene.[11][12] Bostick began pursuing acting around the age of 7 in 1998, marking the start of his engagement with the craft through initial opportunities in the local entertainment landscape.[1][13]Education
Schooling
Devon Bostick attended the Etobicoke School of the Arts, a specialized public high school in Toronto, Ontario, known for integrating a rigorous academic curriculum with intensive arts training.[14] The school offers a full range of courses in core subjects such as mathematics, science, languages, and social sciences, allowing students to balance general education requirements with specialized arts programs.[14] Bostick enrolled in the early 2000s, completing four years of study there and graduating around 2009.[15] His academic focus combined foundational high school coursework with a major in drama, providing flexibility that supported his burgeoning acting interests while ensuring a well-rounded education.[6] This environment was particularly suited to aspiring performers, as it accommodated schedules for those balancing school with professional opportunities.[15] Following his graduation, Bostick transitioned to full-time acting, leveraging the skills and discipline gained from his schooling to advance his career in film and television.[15]Artistic training
Devon Bostick's interest in acting was shaped early by his family's deep involvement in the entertainment industry, with his mother, Stephanie Gorin, working as a prominent casting director in Toronto and his father, Joe Bostick, serving as an actor and film fight coordinator, making performance a regular topic of discussion at home.[11][16] Beginning in the late 1990s, Bostick participated in children's theatre camps in Toronto from grades 1 through 6, starting around 1997, where he engaged in basic performance activities, including being cast as the old man in a production of Jack and the Beanstalk at Eastminster United Church.[12] These camps provided his initial hands-on exposure to stage work and improvisation in a supportive, community-based setting. Following this, in fifth grade around 2001, he began more structured acting pursuits, including early commercial work that introduced on-camera techniques, though he found it less appealing than narrative roles.[12] Bostick further developed his skills through his drama major at Etobicoke School of the Arts, a Toronto arts-focused high school he attended for four years starting in his early teens, where the curriculum emphasized theatrical training, including voice work and ensemble productions that honed his improvisational abilities and stage presence.[15] This program built on his foundational camp experiences, offering rigorous preparation in acting fundamentals while complementing his general schooling. He also took improv classes at The Second City in Toronto for four years, starting in grade 9.[15]Career
Early roles
Bostick made his acting debut at the age of seven in a guest appearance on the Canadian television series Exhibit A: Secrets of Forensic Science.[17] This early role marked the beginning of his career as a child actor in Toronto-based productions, where he took on minor parts in local TV and film projects.[1] Throughout the early 2000s, Bostick accumulated approximately 10-15 minor credits, primarily in supporting or small roles within the Canadian entertainment industry, which often emphasized television guest spots and independent films.[18] His first film appearance came in 2003 as a boy in the short The Truth About the Head. Key early film roles included Zachary Wells, the cloned son of scientists, in the horror thriller Godsend (2004), and Maurie Balfour in the teen comedy Citizen Duane (2006).[18] Other notable credits from this period encompassed Brian, a survivor in the zombie film Land of the Dead (2005); young Jakob in the drama Fugitive Pieces (2007); and Derek (with scenes cut) in the horror sequel Saw IV (2007).[18] On television, Bostick guest-starred as Nic, a troubled boyfriend, in three episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation during its sixth season (2006-2007).[19] These roles helped him build a resume in Canada's competitive youth acting scene, where opportunities were limited compared to Hollywood but provided foundational experience in diverse genres from horror to drama.[1] This period solidified his foundation as a versatile child actor in Canadian productions before transitioning to larger projects.Breakthrough in film
Bostick received early critical acclaim for his lead role as Simon in the 2008 drama Adoration, directed by Atom Egoyan, where he portrayed an orphaned teenager grappling with family tragedy and cultural identity.[20] The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, earning a Special Jury Citation for Best Canadian Feature Film and praise for Bostick's performance as a laconic yet determined adolescent. This role marked one of his first substantial leads, showcasing his ability to handle complex emotional narratives at age 16.[21] Prior to his major breakthrough, Bostick appeared in the horror film Saw VI (2009) as Brent Abbott, a troubled teenager central to the story's climactic moral dilemma involving a life-or-death choice.[22] This supporting role in the popular franchise was notable as it followed a brief, cut appearance in Saw IV (2007), providing him with exposure in the thriller genre and highlighting his intensity in high-stakes scenes.[13] Bostick's true breakthrough arrived with his casting as Rodrick Heffley, the sarcastic older brother, in the 2010 family comedy Diary of a Wimpy Kid, adapted from Jeff Kinney's bestselling book series and directed by Thor Freudenthal.[22] He reprised the role in the sequels Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011), directed by David Bowers, and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012), also directed by Bowers, completing the initial trilogy of films. These performances earned the cast a Best Ensemble Award at the 2011 Young Artist Awards.[22] The Diary of a Wimpy Kid series propelled Bostick to international recognition, with the films collectively grossing approximately $226 million worldwide against a $15 million budget for the first installment, introducing him to a global audience through its blend of humor and relatable sibling dynamics.[23] While the role often typecast him as a rebellious teen due to Rodrick's mischievous persona, it effectively demonstrated his sharp comedic timing and energetic delivery of sarcasm, as seen in scenes emphasizing the character's rock-band antics and brotherly pranks.[16] Following the trilogy, Bostick transitioned from child acting to young adult leads, leveraging the visibility from Diary of a Wimpy Kid to secure prominent film roles such as Casper Galloway in the horror-comedy Dead Before Dawn 3D (2012), signaling a deliberate shift toward more diverse and mature characters in independent and genre projects.[24] This evolution allowed him to build on his early foundation, moving beyond family-oriented comedies to explore broader dramatic and thriller elements in cinema.[16]Television prominence
Bostick first gained notable television exposure through his recurring role as Leo Strange, the deceased older brother of the protagonist, in the Canadian drama series Being Erica from 2009 to 2011, appearing in 17 episodes across three seasons. In this time-travel narrative, his character served as a poignant emotional anchor, reflecting themes of regret and family loss that resonated with the show's focus on personal redemption. This role marked an early showcase of Bostick's ability to convey vulnerability and humor in dramatic contexts, contributing to his growing presence in Canadian television.[25] Bostick's television prominence escalated with his casting as Jasper Jordan in the CW sci-fi drama The 100, where he starred as a main cast member from 2014 to 2017 across four seasons and 58 episodes. Initially introduced as an optimistic, comic-relief engineer among the juvenile delinquents sent to Earth, Jasper's arc transformed him into a resilient leader grappling with trauma, moral dilemmas, and the psychological toll of survival in a post-apocalyptic world.[26] His evolution from lighthearted sidekick—highlighted by early adventures and romantic subplots—to a brooding figure confronting loss and disillusionment, including battles with depression and alcoholism, underscored the series' exploration of human fragility amid sci-fi elements like grounder conflicts and AI threats.[22] This performance, bolstered by his prior film breakthrough in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, solidified Bostick's reputation for nuanced portrayals in genre-driven narratives.[5] In more recent years, Bostick continued to build his television profile with supporting roles in high-profile series, including Oscar Brunner, the entrepreneurial son of the leads, in the Netflix action-comedy FUBAR (2023), appearing in four episodes of the first season.[27] He also made guest appearances as Alan, a brief but memorable romantic interest, in three episodes of Amazon Prime's period comedy-drama The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2019).[28] These roles, spanning sci-fi, action, and dramedy genres, highlight Bostick's versatility and have contributed to his involvement in over 50 television episodes by 2023, emphasizing ensemble dynamics and character-driven storytelling.[6]Recent and independent projects
Following his earlier television roles, Bostick transitioned into more independent cinema with the 2017 Netflix film Okja, directed by Bong Joon-ho, where he portrayed a supporting character in the satirical adventure about a young girl and her genetically engineered super-pig, marking a shift toward international and genre-blending projects. This role bridged his mainstream work with edgier, auteur-driven narratives. In 2019, he took the lead in the indie drama Tuscaloosa, directed by Philip Harder, playing Billy, a college student grappling with racial tensions and personal turmoil in 1970s Alabama; his performance earned him the Clu Gulager Character Actor Award for Best Lead Actor at the 2021 Bare Bones International Film Festival.[29] Bostick's profile rose further with a high-profile supporting role in Christopher Nolan's 2023 historical drama Oppenheimer, where he played physicist Seth Neddermeyer, contributing to the ensemble cast that depicted the Manhattan Project's ethical dilemmas and scientific breakthroughs.[30] This appearance in a major blockbuster highlighted his versatility beyond youth-oriented roles. From 2024 onward, Bostick continued building his independent credentials with the dramedy All That We Love, directed by Yen Tan, in which he co-starred alongside Margaret Cho and Jesse Tyler Ferguson as a family member navigating grief and reconciliation after the loss of a pet; the film premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Festival and received praise for its heartfelt exploration of midlife transitions.[31] In 2025, he starred in the romantic comedy Mile End Kicks, directed by Chandler Levack, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.[32] He also appeared in the sci-fi adaptation War of the Worlds, directed by Rich Lee, portraying Mark Goodman, an everyday worker caught in an alien invasion amid a surveillance-state backdrop, starring opposite Ice Cube and Eva Longoria.[33] That same year, Bostick joined the ensemble of Apple TV+'s comedy series The Studio, created by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, playing Miles in a satirical take on Hollywood's corporate struggles; the show garnered 13 Primetime Emmy Awards in 2025, including Outstanding Comedy Series, underscoring the ensemble's impact on contemporary television satire.[34] Bostick's recent career reflects a deliberate evolution toward mature, multifaceted characters, moving from adolescent angst to complex adults in dramatic and comedic contexts, allowing him to explore themes of loss, ambition, and societal critique. He has also ventured into directing and writing, debuting with the short film Antidepressant in 2019, which he wrote, directed, and produced, starring Dean Norris and premiering at the Palm Beach International Film Festival, signaling his growing interest in behind-the-camera storytelling.[21]Filmography
Feature films
Bostick's feature film roles reflect his transition from child actor in Canadian independent cinema to supporting parts in international horror, comedy, and drama productions, culminating in high-profile Hollywood collaborations. Early credits often featured him in supporting capacities in low-budget Canadian films, while mid-career highlights include the antagonistic older brother Rodrick Heffley in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid trilogy, marking his entry into mainstream American cinema. Later work encompasses diverse genres, from Bong Joon-ho's Okja—where he portrayed activist Silver, a friend-like ally to the protagonist Mija—to Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer as physicist Seth Neddermeyer. His filmography exceeds 25 credits, emphasizing supporting roles with occasional leads in indie dramas.| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Godsend | Zachary Clark Wells | Nick Hamm | Supporting as the cloned child in psychological thriller.[35] |
| 2005 | Land of the Dead | Brian | George A. Romero | Minor supporting in zombie apocalypse film.[5] |
| 2006 | Citizen Duane | Maurie Balfour | Michael Mabbott | Supporting in Canadian teen comedy.[36] |
| 2007 | Finn's Girl | Greg | Dominique Cardona, Laurie Colbert | Supporting in body-swap comedy-drama.[37] |
| 2007 | Fugitive Pieces | Teenage Ben | Jeremy Podeswa | Supporting as young Holocaust survivor's ward in drama. |
| 2007 | The Stone Angel | Teen Marvin | Kari Skogland | Supporting as adolescent son in family drama adaptation. |
| 2008 | Adoration | Simon | Atom Egoyan | Lead as orphaned teen grappling with family secrets in drama.[35] |
| 2009 | Saw VI | Brent | Kevin Greutert | Supporting as bank employee in horror franchise.[36] |
| 2009 | Survival of the Dead | Boy | George A. Romero | Supporting in zombie horror sequel.[5] |
| 2010 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid | Rodrick Heffley | Thor Freudenthal | Supporting as mischievous older brother in family comedy.[38] |
| 2011 | The Entitled | Dean Taylor | William Brent Bell | Supporting as kidnapper's son in thriller.[5] |
| 2011 | Hidden 3D | Lucas | The Klattenhoff Brothers | Supporting in horror film.[5] |
| 2011 | Sacrifice | Mike | Damian Lee | Supporting in action-thriller.[36] |
| 2011 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules | Rodrick Heffley | David Bowers | Supporting as rebellious sibling in comedy sequel. |
| 2012 | A Dark Truth | Renaldo | Pascal Lauria | Supporting in political thriller.[36] |
| 2012 | Dead Before Dawn 3D | Casper Galloway | April Mullen | Lead as teen facing supernatural curse in comedy-horror.[35] |
| 2012 | Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days | Rodrick Heffley | David Bowers | Supporting in family comedy trilogy closer. |
| 2013 | The Art of the Steal | Ponch | Jonathan Sobol | Supporting as young thief in heist comedy.[35] |
| 2014 | Small Time | Freddy Klein | Joel Surnow | Supporting as aspiring musician in dramedy.[36] |
| 2015 | Being Charlie | Adam | Anthony Fox | Supporting in coming-of-age drama.[36] |
| 2015 | Regression | Roy Gray | Alejandro Amenábar | Supporting as troubled youth in psychological thriller.[35] |
| 2017 | Okja | Silver | Bong Joon-ho | Supporting as animal rights activist and ally to protagonist in sci-fi adventure.[39] |
| 2019 | Tuscaloosa | Billy | Philip Harder | Lead as complex friend in Southern drama.[35] |
| 2020 | Words on Bathroom Walls | Joaquin | Thor Freudenthal | Supporting as best friend in romantic drama about schizophrenia.[36] |
| 2023 | Oppenheimer | Seth Neddermeyer | Christopher Nolan | Supporting as Manhattan Project physicist in biographical drama.[40] |
| 2024 | All That We Love | Nate | Andrew Currie | Supporting role in family drama; released 2024.[5] |
| 2025 | Mile End Kicks | Archie | Chandler Levack | Lead in indie romantic comedy; premiered at TIFF September 2025.[41] |
| 2025 | Salvation | Luke | Mackenzie Munro | Supporting in drama; released 2025.[5] |
| 2025 | War of the Worlds | Mark Goodman | Rich Lee | Supporting in sci-fi remake; released July 2025.[5] |
Television series
Bostick's television career includes a mix of guest spots on Canadian network series and lead or recurring roles in both traditional broadcast and streaming platforms, with over 20 credits spanning more than a decade.[42] His early appearances were primarily in short arcs on youth-oriented dramas, transitioning to more substantial parts in genre series during the 2010s.| Year(s) | Title | Role | Episodes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Degrassi: The Next Generation | Nic | 1 | Guest appearance; CTV network series. |
| 2008 | The Border | Cooper | 1 | Guest; CBC network. |
| 2009 | Being Erica | Leo Strange | 1 | Guest; CBC series. |
| 2009 | Guns | Tommy | 1 | Guest; Showcase network. |
| 2009–2010 | Assassin's Creed: Lineage | Ezio Auditore da Firenze | 3 | Lead in mini-series; Ubisoft web series. |
| 2011 | The Listener | Bennie | 1 | Guest; CTV series. |
| 2011–2012 | King | Alex Diakos | 13 | Recurring; Showcase series. |
| 2013 | Aim High | Marcus Anderson | 13 | Main role; Disney XD streaming. |
| 2014 | Fargo | Donny Ireland | 1 | Guest; FX anthology series.[43] |
| 2014–2017 | The 100 | Jasper Jordan | 63 | Main role; The CW network/streaming on Netflix internationally. |
| 2018 | I Am the Night | Tommy | 6 | Recurring; Mini-series on TNT/streaming. |
| 2019 | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel | Alan | 1 | Guest; Amazon Prime Video series. |
| 2019 | Total Eclipse | Tyler Rotrovski | 10 | Main role; Hulu series. |
| 2020 | Most Dangerous Game | Cole | 10 | Main role; Roku Channel series. |
| 2020 | The L Word: Generation Q | Seth | 1 | Guest; Showtime series. |
| 2023 | Fargo | Donny Ireland | 1 | Guest in Season 5; FX anthology series.[44] |
| 2023 | FUBAR | Colt | 8 | Main role; Netflix streaming series. |
| 2025 | The Studio | TBA | TBA | Upcoming role; details pending.[6] |
Music videos and shorts
Bostick began his on-screen career in short films during his early adolescence, contributing to projects that highlighted his emerging acting skills in narrative-driven formats. These early works, often independent Canadian productions, allowed him to explore diverse roles from imaginative escapism to introspective storytelling. Over the years, he continued to participate in shorts and music videos, balancing them with larger projects and occasionally taking on behind-the-scenes roles like directing.[6] His debut short film appearance came in 2003 with The Truth About the Head, a youth-oriented drama where he played a supporting role alongside Katherine Ashby and Joshua Buckle.[45] Three years later, in 2006, Bostick starred in Aruba, directed by Hubert Davis, portraying a character using imagination to cope with family tensions, co-starring with A.J. Saudin and Megan Dexter.[46] In 2008, he took the lead as the "Boy" in The Dreaming, a mystical short directed by Anthony Green that follows a nomad's journey through a forest, emphasizing themes of heritage and nature with co-stars Michael Greyeyes and Vern Harper.[47] The 2010s saw Bostick in two notable shorts that year: The Long Autumn, directed by Jeffrey St. Jules, where he depicted a figure in a world of extended seasons, alongside Shawn Campbell and Dawn Greenhalgh; and Verona, a modern Shakespeare adaptation in which he played Christopher.[48][49] Bostick's sole prominent music video role occurred in 2015, appearing as a campus assailant in Lady Gaga's "Til It Happens to You," directed by Catherine Hardwicke to raise awareness about sexual assault, featuring a cast including Harvey Guillén and Wei-Yi Lin.[50] Entering the 2020s, he starred as Adam in the 2023 short Mirage, directed by Elizabeth S. Acevedo, which explores a couple's addiction to nostalgia and past relationships through hallucinatory trips, opposite Dylan Gelula and Jordan Knapp.[51]| Year | Title | Role | Type | Director | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | The Truth About the Head | Boy | Short film | Dale Heslip | Youth drama exploring curiosity and discovery.[45] |
| 2006 | Aruba | Lead | Short film | Hubert Davis | Imagination as escape from domestic strife.[46] |
| 2008 | The Dreaming | Boy | Short film | Anthony Green | Mystical tale of cultural roots and wilderness.[47] |
| 2010 | The Long Autumn | Lead | Short film | Jeffrey St. Jules | Sci-fi narrative on perpetual seasons.[48] |
| 2010 | Verona | Christopher | Short film | Maryna Bastenaker | Contemporary take on Romeo and Juliet themes.[49] |
| 2015 | Til It Happens to You | Campus rapist | Music video | Catherine Hardwicke | Advocacy piece for sexual assault survivors.[50] |
| 2023 | Mirage | Adam | Short film | Elizabeth S. Acevedo | Psychological drama on love and addiction.[51] |