Severance’s Zach Cherry & Outer Banks’ Rudy Pankow Star in Hulu Comedy Never Change!

Severance‘s Zach Cherry and Outer Banks’ Rudy Pankow have joined the all-star cast for Hulu and American High’s newest comedy. Directed by Marty Schousboe, Never Change! follows North Meadows High’s class of 2005, whose senior year was derailed when a tornado destroyed part of the school. Now, two decades later, the former classmates are being forced to return and complete their senior year.

Written by and starring John Reynolds, Never Change! is bringing some familiar faces together. Alongside Cherry and Pankow, the supporting cast includes Topher Grace, Jackie Cruz, Ana Gasteyer, and Patti Harrison, among others. The film was shot at the American High campus in Syracuse.

Cherry and Pankow make an exciting addition to the cast. Cherry has quietly become one of streaming’s more reliable character actors. On Apple TV’s Severance, he plays Dylan George, a witty, intelligent character in a drama famous for its eerie, psychological themes. This kind of contrast, from tense sci-fi drama to comedy, makes him a smart choice for a film based on awkward yet hilarious reunions and second chances.

This won’t be Cherry’s first role in comedy, as he starred in a number of comedic projects before Severance, including The Big Sick, Crashing, and Isn’t It Romantic, as well as years of experience in improv.

Dylan (Zach Cherry) with a mural of Kier behind him in Severance Season 2 Ep 9

As for Pankow, the actor is best known for his role as JJ Maybank on Netflix’s Outer Banks. His casting in Never Change! feels like a deliberate pivot. Pankow’s character in Outer Banks was killed off in Season 4, after plenty of rumours that the actor wanted to depart from the show. Diving into a comedy like Never Change! offers Pankow the opportunity to show a different side of his acting range.

Meanwhile, Outer Banks season 5 is currently in production, with the newest season meant to be the last.

JJ and Kiara, played by actors Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey, in Netflix's Outer Banks. — JJ and Kiara, played by actors Rudy Pankow and Madison Bailey, in Netflix’s Outer Banks.

For Hulu and American High, Never Change! is a clever bet. With a new take on nostalgia-driven comedies and recognizable streaming stars, Never Change! has built-in appeal. Additionally, American High has produced plenty of Hulu originals, including Crush, Sex Appeal, and 2025’s Summer of ’69 starring SNL‘s Chloe Fineman.

Never Change! was produced by Spider-Man: No Way Home‘s director, Jon Watts, for Freshman Year, Nicholas Hatton and Jason Woliner for Swindle, Jeremy Garelick and Will Phelps for American High, Billy Rossenberg for All Things Comedy, and Jason Zaro. Molle Debartolo executive-produced for American High alongside Reynolds, with Axelle Azoulay co-producing, and Matt Sacca associate producing.