Noah Centineo: 5 Underrated Gems Beyond Peter Kavinsky

Noah Centineo walked into the pop-culture spotlight in 2018 with a single spin of a pocket and an effortless charm that immediately cemented Peter Kavinsky in the modern romantic-comedy canon. That breakout performance in To All the Boys I've Loved Before turned the Miami, Florida native into an overnight screen favorite. Millions of viewers watched him establish a genuine, grounded presence on screen alongside co-star Lana Condor, instantly making him one of the most recognizable young actors in Hollywood.

While his romantic-lead reputation remains legendary, focusing only on his heartthrob moments overlooks the sharp career moves he has made across different genres. Young Hollywood has documented his evolution across 10 stories since 2018, charting his steady transition into physical comedy, complex dramas, and franchise action like The Recruit and Street Fighter. To see what his peers have to say about his energy on set, check out our interview where Ross Butler breaks down working with him in the video below.

1The Recruit

When Centineo signed on to lead The Recruit, he traded the polished high-school hallway for the chaotic, bureaucratic pressure cooker of the CIA. Playing Owen Hendricks, a fledgling lawyer thrown directly into the deep end of international espionage, he brought a frantic, survivalist energy to the screen. Hendricks is not an untouchable superspy like James Bond; he is an overworked twenty-something operating on zero sleep, sheer adrenaline, and legal jargon.

This role marked a clear turning point. Centineo handled complex monologue dumps, intense physical stunts, and razor-sharp banter with veteran intelligence assets without losing his natural wit. His performance showed that his quick comic timing works just as effectively in a high-stakes spy thriller as it does in a suburban kitchen.

2The Fosters

Before his massive movie explosion, Centineo took on a major challenge on television when he stepped into the shoes of Jesus Adams Foster on Freeform's family drama The Fosters. Recasting an established main character halfway through a hit series is always risky, yet Centineo took ownership of the part with striking emotional sincerity.

Throughout his multi-season run, he carried intense dramatic storylines, including the portrayal of a traumatic brain injury and the arduous rehabilitation process that followed. It required vulnerability, frustration, and restraint. The role gave him a grounded emotional anchor that prepared him for every leading role that followed.

3Havana Music Video

Story-driven music videos demand immediate charisma with zero room for lengthy character setups. In the cinematic mini-movie for Camila Cabello's smash hit "Havana", Centineo played the dream-sequence movie hero and the real-world love interest who stumbles into the final dance sequence.

Without delivering traditional dialogue, he communicated pure classic-Hollywood charm through physical comedy and expressive reaction shots. It remains a memorable visual project that proved he could command attention in a matter of seconds, functioning as an early preview of his undeniable leading-man energy.

4To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You

Sequels often struggle to match the spark of their predecessors, but Centineo delivered his most mature work as Peter Kavinsky in To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You. While the initial movie let him coast on smooth swagger, the sequel forced Peter to navigate insecurity, past relationship baggage, and realistic communication breakdowns.

Centineo leaned into Peter's flaws rather than hiding them. He portrayed a real teenager trying to balance loyalty to an ex-girlfriend with the emotional needs of his current partner. The performance added tangible weight to the franchise, proving that Kavinsky was far more than an idealized fantasy boyfriend.

5The Perfect Date

In The Perfect Date, Centineo took on the role of Brooks Rattigan, an ambitious student funding his college dreams by offering his services as a stand-in chaperone for hire. The plot required him to adopt multiple distinct personas across different dates, essentially playing half a dozen characters within a single script.

The film showcased his gift for screwball comedy and self-effacing humor. Instead of relying purely on charm, Centineo leaned into the awkwardness of a young man trying too hard to be someone he was not. His banter with co-star Laura Marano provided genuine warmth, giving the teen-comedy format a fresh, energetic rhythm.

Centineo continues to build a versatile body of work by choosing projects that test his limits across different tones and physical demands. Whether he is running through foreign capitals under gunfire or anchoring an intimate character study, he approaches every project with undeniable dedication. Looking back at these standout gems shows an actor who has always been ready to expand his craft.