Leading Men of Vertical Dramas: Joseph Purcell and Cameron Porras
Vertical microdramas have emerged as the latest craze in fictional romance, largely driven by the irresistibly attractive leading men.
Numerous TikTok users might have noticed ads for fanfiction-inspired series featured on their For You Pages. Ranging from age-gap romances to tales of forbidden love, each miniseries blends elements of soap operas and Lifetime movies. These advertisements aim to entice viewers into downloading apps like ReelShort and DramaBox, which showcase these brief episodes, typically lasting around a minute, tailored for mobile viewing.
CandyJar’s productions — including Nick Skonberg‘s Loving My Brother’s Best Friend and Joseph Purcell‘s Falling for My Bodyguard — went viral, captivating a predominantly female audience seeking romantic entertainment.
“CandyJar is the only company I’ve collaborated with, but they truly understand their audience and their needs. Their projects are crafted through a female lens,” Skonberg shared with Cosmopolitan. “The scripts incorporate prevalent romance and character tropes, and the meticulous attention to costumes, scene shooting, and lighting is evident. We also had a fantastic intimacy coordinator, Sasha Smith, who detailed the moments for physical interactions, like a hand grab or vocal pauses.”
Continue reading for an overview of the most popular leading men in the vertical microdrama scene:
Cameron Porras
Cameron Porras is likely recognizable for his roles in vertical dramas such as My Stepbrother’s Dirty Secret, Taming My Bullies, Outplayed and many others.
Joseph Purcell
Joseph Purcell, son of actor Dominic Purcell, has made significant strides in the vertical drama world, appearing in His Nerd, Falling for My Bodyguard, Private Lessons and various others.
Tyler Scherer
Fans of Heated Rivalry will recognize Tyler Scherer from CandyJar’s sports romance Did You Have to Be a Hockey Star? He has also made appearances in Professor, I’m Addicted to You, To Be by My Side, Ex-Husband Step Aside, among others.
Nick Skonberg
After gaining fame for his role in CandyJar’s Loving My Brother’s Best Friend, Nick Skonberg has also starred in other shorts such as The Cheer Scandal and Apollo.
Evan Adams
Evan Adams has charmed audiences with performances in Pucked by My Brother’s Rival, Kissing the Wrong Brother, and the Twilight-inspired miniseries Kissed by Claw and Fang.
Who doesn’t enjoy a captivating love story? Take, for instance, a girl who falls for a boy, only to develop feelings for his best friend as well. The love triangle has served as a popular trope in television and film for decades, but perhaps no angsty trio stands out as much as that of Dawson (James Van…)
Ben Armstrong
In relation to Kissed by Claw and Fang, Ben Armstrong is recognized for his portrayal of Asher King in If Loving You Is Sin Then I’ll Go to Hell, alongside roles in Fake Dating My Rich Nemesis, Bad Boy’s Tutor, and beyond.
Jesse Morales
You may recall Jesse Morales from How to Tame a Silver Fox, as well as his appearances in Pregnant by My Ex’s Professor Dad, Dominated by My Dad’s Boss, and more.
Eric Guilmette
Eric Guilmette delivered a standout performance in Boss Please Behave and continues to be busy with roles in Campus Rivals, The Healing Touch, My Silent Treasure, and more.
Sam Morgan
Sam Morgan has mesmerized viewers with performances in No Mercy for the Cuckoo, The Maid with His Blood: Came Back to Burn, The Lady Boss’ Small Town Valentine, A Mistaken Baby With the Mafia Enemy, and more.
