Noah Centineo On Fitting ‘XO, Kitty’ Into ‘The Recruit’ Shoot — And Getting Peter’s Hair Right
Noah Centineo’s Netflix drama series The Recruit spent a month last year filming in Korea where a portion of the spy thriller’s second season is set. Korea also happens to be the setting and production location for XO, Kitty, Netflix’s comedy series spinoff from the streamer’s popular To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before movies, in which Centineo played the male lead Peter. He starred opposite Lana Condor whose character Lara Jean’s younger sister — and the duo’s matchmaker — Kitty (Anna Cathcart) headlines the offshoot series.
It was serendipitous timing that led to Centineo’s guest appearance on Season 2 of XO, Kitty.
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“[All The Boys producer and XO, Kitty exec producer] Matt Kaplan and one of my friends over at Netflix called me and said, Hey, you’re going to be shooting in South Korea the same time that we are. Would you be interested in coming back for XO, Kitty?,” Centineo told Deadline in an interview tied to Season 2 of The Recruit. “And I said, yeah, anything for Anna. I think Anna is just wonderful and hard working and super talented, just a professional, and she deserves the world.”
While there was no hesitation on his part, the decision didn’t come without trepidation.
“It’s a daunting thing to go back to Peter to open that box; you don’t want to disappoint or let anyone down,” Centineo said. “The character is kind of what it is. But actually, it worked out. How could I say no?”
RELATED: ‘XO, Kitty’ Cast Guide: Who Plays Who In The K-Drama Spinoff?
In an interview with Deadline earlier this month, XO, Kitty showrunner Jessica O’Toole described the challenging logistics the cameo involved, with Centineo’s only available day being XO, Kitty’s first day of production on Season 2. Since his scenes were part of a later episode, that involved writing and prepping them on the fly and bringing in the director of that episode early to film them.
“But then it was probably the best way we could have started the season,” O’Toole said. “He brings such an easy going and friendly and warm vibe everywhere. Getting to see them be so happy to work together and watch their magic and everything, it was a great way to start off the season.”
Centineo had a similar reaction to the experience.
“It was lovely. It was a really positive day, it was a great day,” he said.
As for how he pulled off switching up his look from Owen, his novice CIA attorney character on The Recruit, to Stanford student Peter for that one day — and nailing Peter’s hair, “we had great hair stylists on both projects, that’s for sure,” he said.
XO, Kitty‘s second season is now streaming. Season 2 of The Recruit launches Jan. 30.
RELATED: ‘XO, Kitty’ Season 2 Soundtrack: All The Needle Drops From BIBI To Dua Lipa
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