Garrett Wareing walked 251 miles during the filming of The Long Walk. That’s roughly eight laps around Manhattan—or a small act of cinematic masochism, depending on who you ask. But for Wareing, who’s only 23 and already a decade deep into his acting career, it was just a part of the job. The Texas-born actor made his film debut alongside Dustin Hoffman and Kathy Bates, and has been quietly shaping something durable ever since—choosing roles that demand something real—sometimes emotionally, sometimes physically. Sometimes both.

He’s not loud. He doesn’t have to be. From dying beautifully in a dystopian teen horror film, to time traveling on Manifest, to becoming Netflix’s next cowboy crush in Ransom Canyon, Wareing has evolved into a genre shapeshifter with a taste for characters that wound and reveal. As Lucas Russell, he plays the heart of Ransom Canyon with ease—open, brooding, sincere. As observed in the bleak intensity of Stebbins in the aforementioned and forthcoming The Long Walk, Wareing is clearly not one to be pinned down. Now stepping into a new era—producing, taking risks—he’s proving that longevity isn’t about luck. It’s about grit and gut. 

In The Long Walk, you’re stepping into a story that’s emotionally and physically grueling—a dystopian survival narrative with intense psychological themes. How did you prepare for that kind of role, and what part of the experience stayed with you after filming wrapped?

I give major kudos to my fellow cast and our crew for sticking it out through that production. We survived The Long Walk together, and we were bonded by how grueling the experience was. I’m so grateful for my time with everyone there, and I think that in addition to the blisters that lingered for the weeks to come after wrap, the feeling of achievement and camaraderie also remained. In prep, I also read the book, written by a mastermind (and Manifest fan!) Stephen King, three times, and got into the story by way of repetition. 

How do you stay grounded while growing up in an industry that moves quickly and expects maturity early?

Growing up in Texas, my parents instilled in me the values of being a gentleman and staying true to your heart, and I carry that with me wherever I go. I also feel very centered and grounded by nature. I’m actually answering these questions as I sit and stare at the ocean. I think nature reminds us of its silent languages, ecosystems, and values, and I always feel very reset when I am able to ground myself in the natural world. Being an actor is a quick and emotionally violent life at times, so knowing who you are in your core and staying true to that person is important. 

Photographed by Selah Tennberg

Styled by Annie & Nora

Written by Melanie Perez

Grooming: Carolina Pizarro

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