Walking Dead Alum Austin Abrams Joins Lili Reinhart in Chemical Hearts

June 17, 2019

A few days after starting production on the film, the upcoming adaptation of the coming-of-age romantic drama novel Chemical Hearts starring Riverdale‘s Lili Reinhart has found its male lead in the form of The Walking Dead and Euphoria star Austin Abrams, according to Deadline.

Based on the novel Our Chemical Hearts from Australian author Krystal Sutherland, the story follows Henry Page (Abrams), a 17-year-old high school student who has never been in love and fancies himself a romantic. But the once in a lifetime kind of love that he’s been hoping for just hasn’t been in the cards for him—at least not yet. Instead, he’s been happy to focus all of his attention on finally becoming the editor of his high school newspaper. On the first day of senior year, however, he meets transfer student Grace Town and knows everything’s about to change

“We are thrilled to work with this talented team to bring to life a beautiful story of first love and heartbreak,” Julie Rapaport, Co-Head of Movies at Amazon Studios, said in a statement. “Krystal Sutherland’s novel captured the hearts of readers around the world, and we are excited to bring this film to our global Prime Video customers.”

In addition to starring in the film, Reinhart is set to make her first executive producer credit alongside Jamin O’Brien (Eighth Grade) and the project will be produced by Page Fifty-Four’s Alex Saks (The Florida Project) and Tanne.

Reinhart, best known for her breakout performances in the acclaimed indie coming-of-age dramedy The Kings of Summer and The CW hit teen series Riverdale, is currently set to star in the upcoming crime comedy Hustlers alongside Jennifer Lopez (Second Act). Tanne made his directorial debut in 2016 with the romantic biopic Southside With You about Barack and Michelle Obama’s first date, which opened to widespread acclaim from critics and audiences alike.

Chemical Hearts is currently filming in New Jersey.