plays Max Wolfe, a 17-year-old romantic omnivore who seduces all the boys and girls — and even a male teacher — at his Upper East Side high school. But on this day in late July, just a few weeks after the debut of his breakout TV role, Doherty isn’t kissing anybody.
A week later, after two negative COVID tests, Doherty bounces back, appearing at a two-hour photo shoot involving multiple costume changes and an impromptu manicure where he paints his nails. He ponders a black polish before deciding on red — a better match for the sleeveless denim jeans vest that he dons without a shirt, showing off some of his 13 tattoos.
Long before his shirtless on-screen bed-hopping, Doherty got his big break in 2016 at age 20 on the Disney Channel U.K. series “The Lodge,” after juggling odd jobs as a bartender and ringing up teen apparel at Hollister. He crossed over to U.S. tween audiences in the TV movie “2” and its sequel, in which he played Captain Hook’s crooning son and, in real life, became part of a Disney couple, dating his co-star Dove Cameron.
Even the original actors might blush at Max’s script pages. His arc involves making out with his friend Aki in a steam room and having sex with Aki’s girlfriend, Audrey , behind both of their backs. In another episode, after learning that his gay dads are on the verge of a breakup, Max goes on a bender, and is dropped off at school the next day in a car from Mount Sinai Hospital. He kisses a male and a female nurse on the street before stumbling to class.
Asked later about how he identifies, Doherty — who is reportedly dating model Yasmin Wijnaldum — says that he wouldn’t use a label to describe himself. “It’s just been girls,” he says of his romantic relationships. “That’s a preference. But 26, living in New York …” He trails off as he gives a devilish smile.
He’s a good actor!