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Tyriq Withers brings raw grief to Colleen Hoover’s biggest film yet. The 27-year-old rising star plays Ledger Ward in ‘Reminders of Him,’ which hits theaters in just 6 days on March 13. His personal tragedy transformed this breakout role into something truly unforgettable.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Release Date: Friday, March 13, 2026 in theaters nationwide
- Studio: Universal Pictures adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s bestselling novel from 2022
- Tyriq Withers: Age 27, plays Ledger Ward opposite Maika Monroe in his first major film lead
- Box Office Appeal: Source novel sold over 6.5 million copies globally with passionate fanbase
From Football Fields to Hollywood Breakouts
Tyriq Withers didn’t follow a traditional path to stardom. The Jacksonville, Florida native studied business and marketing at Florida State University while playing college football as a wide receiver. That athletic background directly informs the quiet physicality he brings to Ledger Ward, a former NFL player turned bar owner wrestling with grief.
His acting career gained serious traction in 2022 when he landed roles in FX’s acclaimed ‘Atlanta’ series. Subsequent appearances in ‘Legacies,’ ‘Tell Me Lies,’ and ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ demonstrated his range across genres. But ‘Reminders of Him’ marks his first opportunity as a genuine film lead, arriving exactly when he was ready.
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A Grief That Hits Too Close
Ledger Ward carries unbearable weight in the film. He’s a former professional athlete still processing his closest friend’s death. The character finds himself drawn to Kenna Rowan (Maika Monroe), the woman whose actions five years earlier caused that tragedy. Balancing loyalty to the past against openness to something new demands vulnerability most actors only fake.
Withers understood Ledger from the inside. The actor lost his beloved older brother Kionte in 2021, a tragedy that profoundly shaped his approach to this role. In interviews, he described the part as “deeply personal.” Early screening audiences consistently note that the grief isn’t performed—it resonates as lived experience. Colleen Hoover herself praised his casting, recognizing that quiet strength alongside genuine vulnerability made him perfect for the character.
Why This Colleen Hoover Adaptation Stands Out
| Element | Details |
| Release Date | March 13, 2026 |
| Platform | Theatrical Release (Universal Pictures) |
| Cast | Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Lauren Graham, Bradley Whitford, Rudy Pankow |
| Director | Vanessa Caswill |
‘Reminders of Him’ tells the story of Kenna Rowan, released from five years in prison after a tragic accident that killed her former boyfriend and separated her from her young daughter. Returning to her small Wyoming hometown, nearly everyone shuns her including the child’s grandparents. Only Ledger offers acceptance, seeing her as more than her worst moment.
Director Vanessa Caswill keeps performances grounded, prioritizing quiet emotional moments over melodrama perfectly suited to both the story and Tyriq Withers’ understated intensity. The supporting cast, including Rudy Pankow, Lauren Graham, Bradley Whitford, and Grammy-winning artist Lainey Wilson, provides significant credibility to the ensemble.
“Tyriq is an actor who carries something into a character that no script can provide. Reminders of Him may be the film that makes the rest of Hollywood take notice.”
— Rolling Out, Entertainment Authority
The Biggest Colleen Hoover Book Adaptation Yet
The 2022 novel ‘Reminders of Him’ has sold more than 6.5 million copies globally, building an enormous and passionate fanbase. Colleen Hoover herself penned the screenplay alongside Lauren Levine, ensuring the source material’s emotional core translates authentically to film. This marks Heartbones Entertainment’s first major studio production, demonstrating Hoover’s expanding influence beyond books.
The story balances redemption, forgiveness, and impossible timing in ways that resonate with millions of readers. Universal’s decision to fully greenlight this adaptation reflects confidence in both the material and the brilliant casting of newcomer Tyriq Withers. Early reviews emphasize genuine chemistry between Withers and Monroe, suggesting this film could become another defining Hoover adaptation.
Will Tyriq Withers Become Hollywood’s Next Major Lead?
Career timing matters enormously in entertainment. Tyriq Withers arrives at the precise moment when promising television talent transitions to genuine film stardom. His performances in ‘Atlanta,’ ‘Tell Me Lies,’ and ‘I Know What You Did Last Summer’ earned him respect. But ‘Reminders of Him’ offers something those projects couldn’t: the lead role in a major studio release based on bestselling source material.
The audience is already assembled. With 6.5 million readers invested in Kenna and Ledger’s story, and his authentic portrayal of grief, all that remained was whether Withers could meet them where they are. Early screenings suggest the answer is a resounding yes. As one critic noted, the 27-year-old doesn’t simply act the part—he embodies it with the kind of rare emotional intelligence that suggests his career has just begun its most exciting chapter.
Sources
- Rolling Out – “Tyriq Withers brings something real to ‘Reminders of Him'” (March 5, 2026)
- People Magazine – “‘Reminders of Him’: Everything to Know About the Gut-Wrenching Colleen Hoover Adaptation” (February 28, 2026)
- Universal Pictures – Official film information and theatrical release details
