'Hating and Loving My Adopted Brother' Cast Guide: Meet the Actors Behind Abigail and Chris's Complicated Story

From Maria Barseghian to Jared Staub, the cast of "Hating and Loving My Adopted Brother" centers on characters dealing with conflict both at home and at school. The actors bring these roles to life as the story follows Abigail and Chris’s complicated situation.

Maria Barseghian plays Abigail, a teenager forced to rebuild her life after a sudden loss, while Jared Staub stars as Chris, the classmate she clashes with—only to discover he’s now her adopted brother. Here’s a closer look at the cast of "Hating and Loving My Adopted Brother" and the roles they take on.

The poster for "Hating and Loving My Adopted Brother" | Source: youtube/reelshortapp

What Is "Hating and Loving My Adopted Brother" About?

The series follows Abigail Hart, whose life changes overnight after both of her parents die in an accident. With no immediate family to turn to, she is taken in by her father’s close friend, Ben Lawrence, and moves into his home to start over.

Before she even settles into her new life, Abigail runs into trouble at her new school, Clearwater High. On her first day, she confronts Chris Lawrence, a popular student, after seeing him in what she believes is a serious situation involving another girl. Abigail assumes the worst and calls him out publicly, which immediately puts them at odds.

Maria Barseghian as Abigail Hart and Jared Staub as Chris Lawrence in "Hating and Loving My Adopted Brother" | Source: youtube/reelshortapp

That conflict takes a turn when Abigail arrives at her new home and realizes Chris is actually Ben’s son, making him her adopted brother

Living together creates constant tension. Chris sets strict boundaries, telling Abigail to act like they don’t know each other at school and to keep their distance at home. Despite this, their interactions become harder to ignore as they are forced into the same space every day.

At school, Abigail also draws the attention of Kylie Ronan, a wealthy and controlling classmate who has her sights set on Chris. Kylie becomes increasingly hostile toward Abigail, spreading rumors and creating situations that isolate her socially.

As the story progresses, Chris begins to step in when Abigail is targeted, even though he continues to deny any emotional attachment. Their relationship develops under pressure from school drama, family expectations, and their own unresolved feelings, shaping the central conflict of the series.

Jared Staub as Chris Lawrence and Maria Barseghian as Abigail Hart in "Hating and Loving My Adopted Brother" | Source: youtube/reelshortapp

Maria Barseghian as Abigail Hart

Leading the cast of "Hating and Loving My Adopted Brother" cast is Maria Barseghian, who plays Abigail Hart. Abigail is outspoken and quick to act on what she believes is right, which is why her first encounter with Chris turns into a confrontation. At the same time, she is dealing with grief and the challenge of adjusting to a completely new life.

Maria Barseghian as Abigail Hart in "Hating and Loving My Adopted Brother" | Source: youtube/reelshortapp

Barseghian studied acting and film at the University of Southern California, where she also explored writing and producing. She has worked both in front of and behind the camera and has expressed interest in continuing to develop projects across different areas of the industry.

She has appeared in multiple vertical dramas, including "In the Palm of His Hand," "Once Upon a Breakup," "Breaking the Deal with My Hockey Bad Boy," and "The Cursed Alpha’s Mate." Over time, she has transitioned from supporting roles into lead performances, with this series placing her at the center of the story.

Jared Staub as Chris Lawrence

Jared Staub plays Chris Lawrence, a character who initially comes across as guarded and dismissive. At school, Chris maintains a strong reputation and keeps people at a distance, which explains his cold reaction to Abigail when they first meet .

His character becomes more layered as the story unfolds. While he insists on keeping boundaries between them, his actions—especially when Abigail is bullied—show that he is paying closer attention than he admits.

Jared Staub as Chris Lawrence in "Hating and Loving My Adopted Brother" | Source: youtube/reelshortapp

Staub has appeared in several vertical dramas, including "The Boy I Hate," "Her Heart, Held Hostage," "Jacked Janitor vs Golden Boy," and "American Sniper: The Last Round." His roles often involve emotionally tense dynamics, which aligns with his portrayal of Chris in this series.

Jared Staub as Chris Lawrence in "Hating and Loving My Adopted Brother" | Source: youtube/reelshortapp

Ariana Ferguson as Kylie Ronan

Ariana Ferguson plays Kylie Ronan, a key antagonist in the story. Kylie is a wealthy and socially influential student who is used to being in control, especially when it comes to her relationship with Chris.

When Abigail enters the picture, Kylie sees her as a threat. She responds by spreading rumors, manipulating situations, and creating conflict that puts Abigail under constant pressure at school.

Ferguson’s previous work includes appearances in "WOW: Women of Wrestling" and "Dear Stranger, I Love You," adding to her experience in television and digital series.

Russell Edge as Ben Lawrence

Russell Edge plays Ben Lawrence, the father figure who takes Abigail in after her parents’ death. His role is central to the story’s setup, as his decision to adopt Abigail places her directly into Chris’s life.

Russell Edge as Ben Lawrence in "Hating and Loving My Adopted Brother" | Source: youtube/reelshortapp

Cade Hazelton as Oscar Stein

Cade Hazelton plays Oscar Stein, a student at Clearwater High who develops an interest in Abigail.

Hazelton has appeared in vertical dramas such as "You Are My Destiny," "To My Romeo, with Love," and "Sleep with Me Mortal!" In addition to "Hating and Loving My Adopted Brother," these roles reflect his growing presence in short-form series.

Cade Hazelton as Oscar Stein in "Hating and Loving My Adopted Brother" | Source: youtube/reelshortapp

You can catch more of the cast of "Hating and Loving My Adopted Brother" on ReelShort, which launched the series on April 14, 2026.