Luke Dodge: From Early Acting to Becoming a Familiar Face in Vertical Dramas

Luke Dodge has quickly become a familiar face in vertical dramas, taking on roles that range from charming leads to more complicated characters. As his presence in the format grows, his path into acting, and how he approaches his work, offers a closer look at where he’s headed next.

Luke Dodge didn’t start in vertical dramas—but once he found his way into the format, it quickly became a space he wanted to stay in.

“I started acting when I was probably about five years old,” he shared during an interview, recalling his early experience performing in a theater company before stepping away for several years.

Years later, he returned to acting at 16, building his experience through commercials, modeling, and short films before eventually moving into vertical dramas.

“I jumped into the vertical world… and then it’s been doing them ever since and I love it,” he said.

Starting Early, Then Finding His Way Back

Dodge’s path into acting wasn’t a straight line. After performing as a child, he stepped away from it for most of his early life before deciding to return as a teenager.

From there, he gradually worked his way into more consistent roles, starting with commercial projects and smaller productions before transitioning into more structured acting work.

He is based in Los Angeles, California, and was born on July 25, 2005. Alongside acting, he has also worked as a model and presenter, adding to his experience in front of the camera.

Building a Presence in Vertical Dramas

Dodge’s entry into vertical dramas came relatively recently, but he has already taken on a range of roles across the format.

Some of his projects include:

• "Don’t Miss Me When I’m Gone"
• "The Tutor Trap"
• "Straight A Pregnancy"
• "My Boss Is My Secret Sperm Donor"
• "Second Baby Second Chance"
• “Taming My Bullies”
• “The Day the Champion Racer Lost His Bride”

In "The Tutor Trap," he plays Brady, a high school hockey star whose personality blends confidence with unpredictability. The role marked one of his early leading performances in a ReelShort production.

He has also taken on antagonist roles, including his character Dylon in "Don’t Miss Me When I’m Gone," which introduced him to audiences in a different light.

Luke Dodge as Brady Wilder in "The Tutor Trap" | Source: youtube/reelshortapp

How He Approaches His Roles

Dodge approaches acting by grounding his characters in something personal, even when the role is far from his own personality.

“I try to portray [a character]… not as necessarily a separate entity, but me in the shoes of another person,” he explained.

When he plays characters whose actions are harder to connect with, he focuses on understanding their perspective.

“I try to think of their motives and how I can justify their motives in my head so that way it comes off as me genuinely believing those things,” he said.

He also pays attention to small details that make each character feel different, especially since many of his roles share similar traits.

“I really [look at] details about the character that would be unique and then I use my own kind of imagination to expand upon those things,” he shared.

Luke Dodge and Hannah Lowery in a behind-the-scenes photo from the filming of "Tell Me Not to Love You" | Source:instagram/luke__dodge

Life on Set—and the Reality of Vertical Dramas

Working in vertical dramas comes with a fast pace. Multiple scenes are often filmed in a single day, which requires quick shifts in tone and energy.

“One scene could be completely, completely different from the next,” Dodge said, describing the need to adjust quickly while filming.

He also pointed out that subtle scenes can sometimes be more challenging than high-energy ones.

“I think it's always easier for me to fake energy than to take away energy,” he said.

Despite the demands, he emphasizes keeping things balanced while working.

“The most important thing is just to, just chill and have fun with it and not be so serious and so stressed,” he said.

Beyond Acting

Outside of acting, Dodge has a range of interests that reflect a more hands-on lifestyle. He enjoys activities like basketball, surfing, cycling, fishing, and working on cars and motorcycles.

Luke Dodge beyond acting | Source: instagram/luke_dodge

Continuing to Grow in the Vertical Space

As vertical dramas continue to evolve, Dodge is still figuring out his place within the format.

He has also spoken about the challenges that come with the pace of production, especially when it comes to refining performances.

“I just wish we could do it again, but we can't, you know, because it's not enough time in the day,” he shared.

Even with those challenges, his focus remains on improving with each project and continuing to take on new roles as opportunities come.

That ongoing process—learning, adjusting, and building experience—has become a defining part of his journey so far.