Declan Clifford: The Lawyer Who Became a Vertical Drama Actor

Declan Clifford is the kind of actor many fans will feel connected to, particularly because he didn't find his true calling until much later in life, and now, he may be opening more possibilities for inclusion in vertical miniseries.

Most fans of micro-dramas know that these stories always have a romantic plot or subplot, and a vast majority of them are focused on heterosexual relationships. But that may be changing, thanks to LGBTQ+ actors like Declan Clifford.

Boys' Love shows are big in Asia, and Western media craves inclusive content. It makes sense that production companies are taking notice and finally writing stories that will resonate with different communities. Let's discover all about Clifford and the BL vertical drama you need to watch.

Declan Clifford: From a Law Career to Modeling and Acting

Originally from Tasmania, Australia, Clifford didn't start his acting career until the age of 29, according to a July 2025 interview with Canvas Rebel.

"I didn't officially start taking acting classes until 29. I had a career as a lawyer for 6 years before I enrolled in my first acting class," he revealed, adding that he often wondered if things would've been different had he started acting immediately after school.

As a kid, he participated in theater, but his experiences in high school turned him into a shy person who would often hide in the library. That's why he chose to go to law school, although he didn't enjoy it exactly.

As he approached his 30s, Clifford realized that life was too short and went back to acting, falling in love with the practice all over again. Still, he believes his deviation from his true passion made him into the person he has become.

His experiences now help him portray many different characters better. "So for anyone who wants to pursue a career in the arts and feel that they've missed the boat, don't listen to that voice. It is never too late for you to start," Clifford emphasized.

All the classes he took eventually landed him roles in short films like "Strange Creatures" and then feature films, such as "Holding the Man." In 2024, Clifford and his husband decided to move to the United States to give their acting careers a bigger chance.

He got a part in a television pilot called "Hive," but now he's all about vertical dramas, which landed him a Best Supporting Actor nomination at the 2025 LA Web Fest.

Declan Clifford: His Vertical Dramas

Clifford discovered the genre in Australia in 2023, when he auditioned for a werewolf series. He landed the part of a beta in "My Personal Lycan King." He has also appeared in "Scrubs Heartbeat," "Fated to Miss: The Luna in His Dreams," "His Journey," and "Till Truth Do Us Apart."

Some of his other work includes "The Champion's Hidden Secret," "His Journey Back Home from Ashes to Gold," "Fated in the End Zone," "Ms. Billionaire's Love Business," "Unwanted True Mate," and "My Vampire Bodyguard."

One of the reasons he has so many credits since 2024 is that micro-dramas are shot so quickly. "Sometimes what you're seeing is the 1 take we got. All the actors are soooooo [sic] talented and come ready to bring it!" Clifford told Vertical Drama Love in April 2025.

He has worked on several other projects, but one micro-drama making a buzz is "Poolboy," where Clifford stars alongside Sky Kawaii. This story is about a swim team captain who lost his after-school job due to his bully, the rich boy in school.

Desperate for money to help with his mother's medical bills and his college fund, he takes the bully's offer to work as a pool boy. But what was supposed to be humiliating quickly turns into a sizzling BL romance that may start a trend for many other LGBTQ+ stories in this field.

Declan Clifford: Advise and Mission

Several of the books he loves include "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron, "The Daily Stoic" by Ryan Holiday, and "The War of Art" by Steven Pressfield.

When asked if he had a mission in his professional path, Clifford said, "I love being involved in stories that make people feel entertained and happy. There's so much going on in the world right now and I love the thought of people being able to help people escape in a story and set of characters."

Which of Declan Clifford's dramas will you be watching first?