‘And Just Like That…’s Ivan Hernandez Isn’t Interested in Being a Heartthrob (Exclusive)

Ivan Hernandez didn't know he was going to be a love interest. 

The actor, who previously starred in series like Devious Maids and Broadway shows like Dear Evan Hansen and Chicago, plays the lover in two hit shows this June: In the final season of Never Have I Ever, Hernandez is protective father Andres who ultimately ends up with Devi's mother Nalini (Poorna Jagannathan), and in And Just Like That…, he's wholesome podcast producer Franklyn who gets Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) back on the dating scene at the end of Season 1 via a steamy elevator kiss. But this whole heartthrob thing wasn't planned — especially in the role of, where Hernandez had no idea his character would be dating the most famous writer in New York. 

"I really didn't know," he exclusively told The Messenger, a day before And Just Like That…'s Season 2 premiere on Max. "I knew I was gonna have a little bit at the end of the season, but then Episodes 7 and 8 went by, and I was like, 'Maybe they changed their minds.' Then [the script for] Episode 10 came in, and I was like, 'Oh wow!'"

In honor of the Season 2 premiere, Hernandez sounds off below on the biggest differences between his Never and I Ever and AJLT characters, Franklyn and Carrie's very casual relationship and, of course, Kim Cattrall's shock return. (Plus, of course, that heartthrob label.)

On playing two heartthrobs in a row…

Ivan Hernandez: I don't think too much about that label. Love stories and things like that are a part of everybody's lives. I look at it as part of the story, but in terms of being an actor, it doesn't really change things, and certainly not in my normal life, at home with my kids. It's kind of funny though — the stuff that you see online. My kids don't know too much about it. They're not interested in watching Dad on TV. My wife tolerates it. 

On the biggest differences between his 'Never Have I Ever' and 'AJLT' characters…

Hernandez: It's just in the writing. The characters are different. In Never Have I Ever, Andres is a single father, so that's where he's coming from. He's very protective of his daughter. And there's an obvious spark with Nalini, but he's reluctant to go there, because he's not sure it's the right thing to do. Franklyn is just like this single guy in New York City, and has no problem with it. He's the one pursuing Carrie. No kids to worry about!

On Carrie and Franklyn's casual relationship…

Hernandez: I've been married for 15 years now, so it's been a minute. And I have two kids, so it's a quite different situation. But I think all of us can relate to, at some point in our lives, falling for someone and being attracted to them and starting to get more feelings, and maybe that person is not in the same place. You're not wanting exactly the same thing. I think we probably have all lived through that.

On acting opposite Sarah Jessica Parker…

Hernandez: It's a joy. She's such an icon and being a fan of the show, it was surreal at first, but then when we're in it, and playing opposite each other, it's easy to share with someone like her. She's also the executive producer, so it's fascinating to watch her lead this big franchise, but also wearing her producer hat. She's always thinking about the location of the next scene, or outfits for the characters, or the props for that scene. She and [showrunner Michael Patrick] King would talk about little details, like what's in her bedroom. She wanted to have these cocktail stirrers in a cup behind her bed, and somebody had taken them, and she was like, "Where are they!" She definitely has an eye for detail.

On the cast nerding out together over theater…

Hernandez: Sarah [Jessica Parker] and I would do scenes together, and I also did scenes last year with the podcasting team and Sara Ramírez, who also started out in New York in theater and has a beautiful voice. We would all chat about musicals, or sing little ditties, or talk about Sarah Jessica Parker starting out in Annie when she was 13. The podcast group, we would all just joke around constantly. It was just a bunch of friends hanging out. We'd shoot a scene, and then we'd just mess around. We totally could have had a real-life podcast. 

On Samantha (Kim Cattrall) returning to the fold…

Hernandez: Kim Cattrall coming back, I heard about that after we were done shooting. So that was a huge surprise, and super exciting. I can't wait to see what she does on the show — I think like everyone else. 

On what he had to keep secret…

Hernandez: Pretty much everything! People know we're dating and that Aidan comes back, but I think that's pretty much all that they wanted people to know.

On reaching this level of fame at this point in his career…

Hernandez: As you get older, you kind of learn to, as an actor, just kind of accept what comes in. This was all a complete surprise. But it's great because I love doing what I do. I want to continue being able to tell more stories and so if this helps to do that, then I'm all for it.

New episodes of And Just Like That... arrive Thursdays on Max.