Owen Thiele’s Rise: From Adults to the Big Screen—And Why His Career Is Just Getting Started The second season of

# **Owen Thiele’s Rise: From *Adults* to the Big Screen—And Why His Career Is Just Getting Started** The second season of *Adults* dropped on FX last month, and for actor Owen Thiele, the moment felt like both a relief and a gamble.

After months of uncertainty—when the cast feared the show might not return at all—Thiele now finds himself at the center of a small but devoted cult following, one that could decide whether the series gets a third season. The stakes are high, but so is the excitement.

"We have this little, tiny, beautiful cult following," Thiele said recently, "and I hope they stick with us." That sense of urgency isn’t just about *Adults*, though.

Thiele, 29, is in the midst of a career renaissance, balancing a breakout TV role with film projects, writing, and a personal brand that thrives on authenticity.

He’s no longer just the guy playing Anton, the sharp-witted, emotionally stunted twentysomething navigating a tangled web of friendships and family dysfunction. Now, he’s also the writer behind *Off Color*, a semi-autobiographical Amazon comedy that digs into his upbringing as a Black gay man in a white Jewish family.

And he’s the actor set to star alongside Connor Storrie and Dua Lipa in Molly Gordon’s upcoming film, *Peaked*—a role that promises to showcase his range beyond the screen’s queer coming-of-age tropes.

What makes Thiele’s trajectory so compelling isn’t just the volume of his work, but how he’s redefining what it means to be a young, talented actor in Hollywood today.

He’s not just another "nepo grandchild" (yes, he’s Bob Thiele Jr.’s son and Bob Thiele’s grandson—the legendary producer behind Louis Armstrong’s *What a Wonderful World*), but an artist who’s using his platform to explore identity, family, and the messy, unspoken realities of modern queer life. --- ## **From Cult Favorite to Cultural Conversation** Thiele’s breakout role as Anton in *Adults* gave audiences a rare glimpse into queer friendship that didn’t rely on drama or grand gestures.

Anton’s sexuality is never explicitly confirmed, yet it’s woven into the fabric of the show—an unspoken comfort between him and his best friend, Benny (Benito Skinner).

It’s a dynamic that resonates deeply, especially for younger viewers who see themselves in Anton’s struggle to define his place in a world that still struggles to define them. This season, *Adults* took a bold turn by addressing Anton’s romantic life in ways no one expected.

Thiele, who has been openly dating for years, brought a quiet confidence to the role that made the character’s personal growth feel organic. "The writers did such a brilliant job crafting this season," he said.

"It doesn’t feel at all expected, and there are so many twists and turns that when I was filming it, I was like, *‘What? This is happening?’* I couldn’t believe it." That unpredictability is what keeps fans hooked.

Unlike many shows that treat queer characters as either tragic figures or one-dimensional stereotypes, *Adults* presents Anton as fully human—flawed, funny, and deeply relatable. It’s a departure from the usual narratives, and one that Thiele is eager to expand on.

His work in *Overcompensating*, where he plays George—a character navigating self-acceptance in a very different way—shows just how versatile he is. "One is what I felt in high school," he explained.

"The other is where I am now—where sexuality isn’t even uttered, but it’s just there." --- ## **The Weight of a Name—and a Grandfather’s Legacy** Thiele has spent his career fielding questions about his family’s influence.

The son of music producer Bob Thiele Jr. and the grandson of the legendary Bob Thiele (who produced Armstrong’s *What a Wonderful World*), he’s often labeled a "nepo grandchild"—a term that irks him. "I don’t think my dad was successful enough for me to be a nepo baby," he jokes.

"No, my grandpa—I am. He was successful.

I am a nepo grandchild, for sure." But Thiele isn’t just leaning into that legacy; he’s redefining it. His upcoming film *Peaked*, directed by Molly Gordon (his childhood friend and collaborator), is a far cry from the industry machine that produced his grandfather’s work.

Instead, it’s a passion project, a chance to work with Dua Lipa and Connor Storrie in a film that feels fresh and unpolished. "Connor is a dream," Thiele gushes.

"He’s not only attractive, he’s so talented. And Molly?

She has this clear vision, and everyone on set was just down to clown around." That sense of playfulness extends to his writing. *Off Color*, his semi-autobiographical comedy for Amazon, is a raw, unfiltered look at growing up Black and gay in a predominantly white, Jewish household.

With Susie Essman (of *Curb Your Enthusiasm* fame) playing his mother, the show promises to be both hilarious and deeply personal. Thiele describes it as "family therapy"—a way to process his own upbringing while giving audiences a laugh.

"My mom will be like, *‘I never said that,’* and I’ll be like, *‘You definitely did.’* We’re all working through things." The project is a bold move, especially for someone still in the early stages of his career. But Thiele isn’t afraid of the backlash—or the praise.

"I’m scared, and I’m ready," he admits. "I want to put myself out there in every way possible and see what happens.

Some things won’t be received well, and I’m ready for that." --- ## **The Future: More Work, More Risk, More Owen** If there’s one thing Thiele isn’t short of, it’s ambition. Between *Adults*, *Peaked*, *Off Color*, and his ever-growing list of projects, he’s clearly not one to sit still.

And yet, despite the industry’s relentless pace, he remains grounded—even when it comes to his personal brand. Instagram, for instance, has become his playground.

He posts without overthinking, unapologetically sharing moments that feel real. "I want to go back to 2016 Instagram," he says.

"Where you’re just posting a photo of something you like. People are sick of me, I think they’re unfollowing.

Who cares? Post when you have a hot photo.

Let’s not be precious with our dumps." That same fearlessness carries into his work. Whether it’s writing a show about his family, starring in a film with Dua Lipa, or simply being himself on social media, Thiele is carving out a path that’s unapologetically his own.

And if *Adults* gets that third season? Even better.

Because for now, he’s exactly where he wants to be—busy, bold, and unfiltered.