'Pucked in the Friend Zone' Cast: Meet the Actors Behind Reese, Grayson, and Their Complicated Love Triangle

Reese and Grayson were once inseparable, until one painful night changed everything. Years later, a fake relationship brings them back together. A cast of familiar vertical drama faces bring their complicated love story to life.

At a Glance:

Main cast: Seth Edeen, Hannah Lowery, JC Ann, Elyse Mirto

Genre: Romance / second chance / fake relationship

Familiar faces: Yes — several actors appear across multiple vertical dramas

Why people watch: A mix of first love, missed timing, and the classic fake-dating setup that quickly turns real.

The poster for "Pucked in the Friend Zone" Source: youtube/reelshortapp

If you’ve watched a few vertical dramas, the setup here will feel familiar—but that’s part of the appeal. The story leans into big emotions, unresolved feelings, and a second chance that comes with complications.

At the center are Reese and Grayson, once inseparable best friends whose relationship fell apart after a painful misunderstanding at prom. Years later, they reconnect under very different circumstances, pretending to be a couple while old feelings resurface. (ReelShort, Crazy Maple).

Here’s a closer look at the cast of "Pucked in the Friend Zone" bringing that dynamic to life.

Hannah Lowery and Seth Edeen in "Pucked in the Friend Zone" | Source: youtube/reelshortapp

Seth Edeen as Grayson Hayes

Seth Edeen plays Grayson Hayes, a former high school hockey star who grows into a successful NHL player. Despite the fame and career success, his emotional story still circles back to Reese, the best friend he never really got over.

Seth Edeen as Grayson in "Pucked in the Friend Zone" | Source: instagram/sunandmoonfilms

If he looks familiar, it’s because he’s become a recognizable face in vertical dramas, with multiple projects gaining major traction online.

Where you may have seen him

"Breaking the Ice"

"Found a Homeless Billionaire Husband for Christmas"

"The Quarterback’s First Love"

"Wings of Fire: The Dragon Slayer Is My Ex-Lover"

What stands out about him

Edeen didn’t originally set out to act. He played football for the Wyoming Cowboys before stepping away from the sport and eventually moving to California to pursue a different path. Before acting, he also worked as a civil engineer.

In an interview in December 2025, he described how unexpected his entry into vertical dramas was:

That early uncertainty didn’t last long. His projects have since reached massive audiences, with some titles earning over 100 million views and helping him build a strong following in the space.

Hannah Lowery as Reese Foster

Hannah Lowery takes on the role of Reese Foster, the overlooked best friend who has been quietly in love with Grayson for years. After being hurt at prom, she walks away from the friendship—only to find herself pulled back into his life later on.

Hannah Lowery as Reese in "Pucked in the Friend Zone" | Source: instagram/sunandmoonfilms

Where you may have seen her

"Kissed by Claw and Fang"

"Sisterhood of Lies: Pledge for Revenge"

"Tell Me Not to Love You"

"Too Late to Miss Me"

Background and experience

Lowery’s path into acting started early, with a mix of dance, theater, and performance-based activities. She has taken on lead roles in multiple stage productions and also built experience through short-form content, including projects with Dhar Mann Studios.

Her background in performance shows in the way she fits into these emotionally driven stories. She’s part of a growing group of actors who move easily between short-form storytelling and vertical dramas, where pacing is faster and emotional beats come quickly.

JC Ann as Piper

JC Ann plays Piper, the confident and manipulative presence in the story who disrupts Reese and Grayson’s relationship. As the former cheerleader and Grayson’s persistent ex, Piper adds tension at every turn.

Where you may have seen her

"That Makes Two of Us"

"Deadly Divas: Seduce My Billionaire Enemy"

"The Mute Heiress Strikes Back"

"Matrimoney"

JC Ann and Seth Edeen in "Pucked in the Friend Zone" | Source: youtube/reelshortapp

A working presence in vertical dramas

JC Ann has built a wide-ranging career across film, television, commercials, and vertical series. Her résumé includes multiple lead roles across different platforms, showing how often actors in this space move between productions.

She’s also trained across several acting disciplines, from scene study to improv, and has experience in modeling and voice work as well.

In "Pucked in the Friend Zone," she leans into a more antagonistic role, giving the story its central conflict without overcomplicating the dynamic.

Elyse Mirto as Amy Hayes

Elyse Mirto plays Amy Hayes, Grayson’s mother, whose focus on status and control adds another layer of pressure to his relationship with Reese.

Where you may have seen her

"Ballerina Reborn for Revenge"

"Ugly Cinderella and Her Hobo Billionaire"

"The Lost Quarterback Returns"

"The Prince's First Love"

JC Ann and Elyse Mirto in "Pucked in the Friend Zone" | Source: youtube/reelshortapp

A veteran presence in the cast

Mirto brings a very different kind of experience compared to the rest of the cast. She has an extensive background in television, theater, and film, along with work as a director and producer.

That background adds weight to her role, especially in a story where family pressure plays a key part in shaping the central relationship.

More Cast to Know

While the story focuses on a tight core group, several supporting characters help round out the world:

Tyler Marquis as Nate – A supportive friend whose presence is part of the early misunderstanding between Reese and Grayson. He has also appeared in "Surrender to My Professor" and "Claimed by the Alpha I Hate."

Jordan Dyck as Dominic – An actor with a background in improv and on-camera training, who has appeared in projects like "The Lower Bottoms."

Zoe Porges as Josie Hayes – Also seen in "Dolly’s Room" and "Realme: The Silent Symphony."

Nilo Benicio as Caleb – A regular presence in vertical dramas, with roles in "Too Late to Love Me, Mafia King" and "The Price of Loving You."

With a mix of rising talent and experienced performers, the series fits neatly into the kind of storytelling vertical dramas are known for: fast-moving, emotionally direct, and easy to get pulled into.