Brandon Paul Flynn (born October 11, 1993) is an American actor, known for his role as Justin Foley in the

Netflix Netflix is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple lang ...

series ''

13 Reasons Why ''13 Reasons Why'' (also stylized as ''TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY'') is an American teen drama television series based on the 2007 novel '' Thirteen Reasons Why'' by author Jay Asher. Developed for Netflix by Brian Yorkey and with Selena Gomez ser ...

'' (2017–2020). His work in film and television includes the series ''

Manhunt Manhunt may refer to: Search processes * Manhunt (law enforcement), a search for a dangerous fugitive * Manhunt (military), a search for a high-value target by special operations forces or intelligence agencies Social organisations * Manhun ...

'' (2024), '' Ratched'' (2020), and ''

True Detective ''True Detective'' is an American Anthology series, anthology Crime fiction, crime Drama (film and television), drama television series created by Nic Pizzolatto for the premium cable network HBO. The series premiered on January 12, 2014, and ...

'' (2019), and the films ''

The Parenting ''The Parenting'' is a 2025 American comedy horror film directed by Craig Johnson (director), Craig Johnson and written by Kent Sublette. It stars Nik Dodani, Brandon Flynn, Parker Posey, Vivian Bang, Lisa Kudrow, Dean Norris, Brian Cox (actor) ...

'' (2025) and ''

Hellraiser ''Hellraiser'' is a 1987 British supernatural horror film written and directed by Clive Barker in his directorial debut. Based on Barker's 1986 novella ''The Hellbound Heart'', the film's plot concerns a mystical puzzle box that summons the ...

'' (2022).

Early life and education

Flynn was born and raised in

Miami Miami is a East Coast of the United States, coastal city in the U.S. state of Florida and the county seat of Miami-Dade County, Florida, Miami-Dade County in South Florida. It is the core of the Miami metropolitan area, which, with a populat ...

, Florida, where he attended high school at

New World School of the Arts The New World School of the Arts (NWSA) is a public magnet high school and college in Downtown Miami, Florida. Its dual-enrollment programs in the visual and performing arts are organized into four strands: visual arts, dance, theatre (comprising ...

. He graduated from the

Mason Gross School of the Arts Mason Gross School of the Arts ("Mason Gross" or "MGSA") is the arts conservatory at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Mason Gross offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in art, design, dance, filmmaking, music, and theater. Ma ...

Rutgers University Rutgers University ( ), officially Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a Public university, public land-grant research university consisting of three campuses in New Jersey. Chartered in 1766, Rutgers was originally called Queen's C ...

, with a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts, and studied at the

Globe Theatre The Globe Theatre was a Theater (structure), theatre in London associated with William Shakespeare. It was built in 1599 at Southwark, close to the south bank of the Thames, by Shakespeare's playing company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men. It was ...

's Shakespeare Conservatory in London. Flynn's first role was at the age of ten, playing

Mr. Smee Mr. Smee is a fictional character who serves as Captain Hook's boatswain in J. M. Barrie's 1904 play ''Peter Pan, or the Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up'' and 1911 novel ''Peter and Wendy''. History Mr. Smee seems an oddly genial man for a pirate; ...

in a musical version of ''Peter Pan''.

Career

Film and television

In 2016, Flynn was cast as Mike the Intern in ''

BrainDead ''BrainDead'' is an American political satire science fiction comedy-drama television series created by Robert and Michelle King. The series stars Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Laurel Healy, a documentary film-maker who takes a job working for h ...

''. In February 2018, he joined the third season of ''

'' as Ryan Peters in a recurring capacity. From 2017 to 2020, Flynn portrayed Justin Foley in the

series ''

''. Foley, one of the lead characters through all four seasons, is a troubled yet ultimately redemptive character who starts as a popular high school jock with a traumatic home life and spirals into homelessness, addiction, and sex work. In 2020, Flynn made his feature film acting debut in the dark indie comedy '' Looks That Kill'', starring as a high school student whose physical appearance causes the death of anyone who looks at him. In the same year, he had a recurring role as Henry Osgood in the 2020 television series '' Ratched'', a quadruple amputee and sadist who lives locked in his home with his mother, Lenore Osgood. He has starred in a number of other television series and films, including ''

'' (2024) and ''

'' (2025).

Theater

Flynn's New York theater debut was in the role of Luke in the

off-Broadway An off-Broadway theatre is any professional theatre venue in New York City with a seating capacity between 100 and 499, inclusive. These theatres are smaller than Broadway theatres, but larger than off-off-Broadway theatres, which seat fewer tha ...

production of

John Kander John Harold Kander (born March 18, 1927) is an American composer, known largely for his work in the musical theater. As part of the songwriting team Kander and Ebb (with lyricist Fred Ebb), Kander wrote the scores for 15 musicals, including ''Cab ...

and Greg Pierce's musical ''

Kid Victory ''Kid Victory'' is a musical with the story by John Kander and Greg Pierce, and music by John Kander, book and lyrics by Greg Pierce, co-produced by Vineyard Theatre and Signature Theatre. Production The musical premiered at the Signature The ...

'' at the

Vineyard Theatre The Vineyard Theatre is a 120-seat Off-Broadway non-profit theatre company, located at 108 East 15th Street in Manhattan, New York City, near Union Square. Founded in 1981 by Barbara Zinn Krieger, the Vineyard states that its goal is "to give ...

, in 2017. In 2025, he returned to the stage to play a young

Marlon Brando Marlon Brando Jr. (April 3, 1924 – July 1, 2004) was an American actor. Widely regarded as one of the greatest cinema actors of the 20th century,''Movies in American History: An Encyclopedia''

in the

premiere of Gregg Ostrin's play Kowalski at the Duke on 42nd Street.

Other

Flynn has starred in multiple

Calvin Klein Calvin Richard Klein (born November 19, 1942) is an American fashion designer. In 1968, he launched the company that later became Calvin Klein. In addition to clothing, he has also given his name to a range of perfumes, watches, and jewellery. ...

campaigns, including the brand's 2023 Pride campaign, the 2023 holiday campaign, and the Spring 2024 menswear campaign.

Personal life

With ''

'', Flynn was among the first openly gay actors to play a significant role in a major Netflix original series, and in 2018 received the Queerty Award in the "Closet Door Bustdown" category, which honors individuals who have made significant strides in LGBTQ+ visibility and representation. Flynn married his husband,

Jordan Tannahill Jordan Tannahill (born May 19, 1988) is a Canadian writer and director. His novels and plays have been translated into twelve languages, and honoured with a number of prizes including two Governor General's Literary Awards. Flynn is Jewish.

Filmography

Films

Television

Voice work

Music videos

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Flynn, Brandon 1993 births 21st-century American Jews 21st-century American LGBTQ people 21st-century American male actors American gay actors American male film actors American male television actors Gay Jews Jewish American male actors LGBTQ people from Florida Living people Male actors from Miami Mason Gross School of the Arts alumni Rutgers University alumni