'Lessons in Love & Hate' Cast and Character Guide: Who's Who in the High School Romance

A top student. A notorious bad boy. An unlikely romance that turns an entire high school upside down. Here's who's bringing the memorable characters of "Lessons in Love & Hate" to life.

At the heart of "Lessons in Love & Hate" is an enemies-to-lovers romance, but the series wouldn't work without the ensemble cast that brings its rivalries, friendships, and family drama to life. Here's a closer look at the actors behind the Shorts hit and the characters they play.

The poster for "Lessons in Love & Hate" | Source: IMDb

What Is "Lessons in Love & Hate" About?

Streaming on Shorts, "Lessons in Love & Hate" follows Peyton Moore, Brookdale High's brilliant valedictorian, whose carefully planned future is threatened when Chase Wescott, the governor's rebellious son, transfers to her school.

At first, Peyton sees Chase as nothing more than an arrogant troublemaker with a reputation for violence and expulsion. However, as the two are repeatedly thrown together, she begins to discover the vulnerable side he hides beneath his bad-boy image. Their relationship evolves from constant conflict into an unlikely romance while classmates, family members, jealous rivals, and personal baggage threaten to keep them apart.

Katelyn Rose as Peyton Moore

Katelyn Rose stars as Peyton Moore, Brookdale High's valedictorian whose scholarship and academic future mean everything to her. Peyton initially clashes with Chase Wescott after his arrival at school, but gradually realizes there is far more to him than his rebellious reputation.

Speaking about the relationship, Rose described it as "rocky," explaining that Peyton slowly recognizes Chase's potential beneath the image he projects.

"I see his potential. I see that there's some good in there... this whole front that he puts up, it's not really who he is."

Katelyn Rose as Peyton Moore in "Lessons in Love & Hate" | Source: instagram/kkatelyn_rose

She also believes the couple eventually grows into something healthy despite their difficult beginning.

"I think it starts off pretty messy and pretty fairly unhealthy but then we kind of find our paths together and become healthy for one another."

"Lessons in Love & Hate" is one of several vertical dramas Rose has headlined. Her growing résumé also includes "Back from the Brink the Heiress Rises," "The Vanished Champ Strikes Back," "I Thought You Were Him," "House Husband Supreme," and "Off Limits My Brother-in-Law."

Before transitioning into screen acting, she also performed in theater, including a production of "Beauty and the Beast."

Ben Armstrong as Chase Wescott

Ben Armstrong plays Chase Wescott, the governor's troubled son whose arrival at Brookdale High turns Peyton's world upside down. Feared by classmates because of rumors surrounding his past, Chase initially appears to embody every stereotype Peyton despises before revealing unexpected depth.

Asked to summarize Chase and Peyton's relationship in one word, Armstrong also answered, "It's rocky."

Behind the scenes with Ben Armstrong and Katelyn Rose in "Lessons in Love & Hate" | Source: instagram/kkatelyn_rose

The actor has become one of the recognizable rising faces in vertical dramas, appearing in titles including "You Messed with the Wrong Nerd," "Kissed by Claw and Fang," "Love You to Death," "Bad Boy's Tutor," "Fake Dating My Rich Nemesis," "If Loving You Is a Sin Then I'll Go to Hell," and "Maid for My Nemesis."

He was born in Kirkland, Washington, and has steadily built his career through leading roles across multiple vertical platforms.

Ben Armstrong as Chase Wescott and Katelyn Rose as Peyton Moore in "Lessons in Love & Hate" | Source: instagram/kkatelyn_rose

Morgan Franz as Audrey Linney

Morgan Franz plays Audrey Linney, Brookdale High's queen bee and Peyton's biggest rival. Audrey has long had her sights set on Chase, making Peyton's growing relationship with him a threat to both her popularity and her personal ambitions.

Originally from Amarillo, Texas, Franz first pursued a career as a professional dancer before deciding acting was her true calling. She later moved to Los Angeles, where she expanded into film and television while continuing to work as a certified fitness trainer. Her credits include "Stableboy," "His Crown Was Born from Wounds," "The Prince's Ugly Bride," "How to Land a Movie Star," "To My Romeo, with Love," and "The Sound of Balloons 2."

Morgan Franz as Audrey Linney in "Lessons in Love & Hate" | Source: instagram/morganfranzz

Avis Wrentmore as Gail Moore

Avis Wrentmore portrays Gail Moore, Peyton's mother and one of the most important figures supporting her daughter throughout the series.

Wrentmore has decades of experience in television and film. Born in California before spending part of her childhood in Europe, she returned to the United States to pursue entertainment full-time.

Her résumé spans projects including "Scandal," "Bones," "The District," "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," "The Ex List," and numerous recent vertical dramas such as "Love the Way You Lie," "The Foolish Heiress Strikes Back," "The Christmas Baby That Brought Us Home," and "Call Me Your Boy."

Avis Wrentmore as Gail Moore in "Lessons in Love & Hate" | Source: youtube/shorts_theapp

Brandon Halderman as Nicky Moore

Brandon Halderman plays Nicky Moore, Peyton's protective cousin who immediately distrusts Chase and questions whether he belongs anywhere near his family.

Outside of the series, Halderman has worked across independent film and television. His credits include "The Curse of Alice Deubel," "Will You Come with Me?," "Marathon," "Paranormal Salad: Into the Unknown the Vacancy," and "Elon."

In addition to acting, he has theater experience and has trained with several respected acting coaches.

Brandon Halderman as Nicky Moore and Katelyn Rose as Peyton Moore in "Lessons in Love & Hate" | Source: instagram/kkatelyn_rose

Bo Foxworth as Roland Wescott

Bo Foxworth appears as Roland Wescott, Chase's father and the governor whose influence looms large over Chase's complicated life.

Foxworth brings one of the longest résumés in the cast. Across more than two decades, he has appeared in productions including "Modern Family," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "All the Way," "The City," "Criminal Minds," "Star Wars: The Old Republic," "Veep," and "Lessons in Love & Hate."

Tom Sys as Trey Wescott

Tom Sys portrays Trey Wescott, Chase's older brother and the son their father has chosen to succeed him in politics. However, Trey carries baggage of his own, as his past mistakes help shape the notorious reputation Chase is forced to live with.

Beyond acting, Sys has established himself as a producer, writer, and director. His acting credits include "Beyond the Curtain," "Mafia Spies," "You'll Regret What You Did to the Lost Heiress," and "I Married My Lady Boss As a Mechanic," while his behind-the-camera work includes projects such as "A Queen's Runway" and "Free Way."

Emel Sensoy as Noel

Emel Sensoy plays Noel, one of Brookdale High's popular students and a close friend of Audrey Linney.

Born and raised in Istanbul, Sensoy later studied in England before continuing her acting training at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute and the Stella Adler Center for the Arts in New York.

Fluent in English and Turkish, "Lessons in Love & Hate" marks her first on-screen acting credit following years of theater work that includes productions of "Macbeth," "The Paul Street Boys," and "Gut Girls."

Spencer Palmer as Brock

Based in Los Angeles, Palmer has worked as both an actor and model. Alongside "Lessons in Love & Hate," he has appeared in "Pool Boy," "The Hidden Empire," "Death Touch," and the independent films "Meadowhawk," "Death's Intern," and "Distance."

He trained at Actors Asylum and Barbizon Chique while building experience in commercials and modeling.

Ben Armstrong, Morgan Franz, Emel Sensoy, Spencer Palmer, Brandon Halderman, and Katelyn Rose behind the scenes of "Lessons in Love & Hate" | Source: instagram/kkatelyn_rose

Rainier Reese as Henry Moore

Rainier Reese plays Henry Moore, Peyton's younger brother whom she loves and protects. Henry forms a special connection with Chase as the series progresses.

Although still early in his acting career, Reese has already appeared in "The Christmas Twin Miracle," "Serial," and "Lessons in Love & Hate," making him one of the youngest performers in the cast.

Katelyn Rose, Rainier Reese, and Avis Wrentmore behind the scenes of Lessons in Love & Hate" | Source: instagram/kkatelyn_rose

With its blend of enemies-to-lovers romance, high school rivalries, family conflict, and an ensemble of rising vertical drama actors alongside seasoned performers, "Lessons in Love & Hate" offers more than a familiar bad-boy love story. Whether viewers tune in for Peyton and Chase's slow-burning relationship or the colorful supporting characters surrounding them, the cast helps give the series its emotional stakes and youthful energy.\