Heads up! Mild spoilers for Freakier Friday below.
I was so hyped to hear that Chad Michael Murray was back as Jake in the newly released Freakier Friday. He totally defined the 2000s teen heartthrob vibe, and fans have been reminiscing about his dreamy good looks from A Cinderella Story, One Tree Hill, and naturally, the classic Freaky Friday from 2003. I imagined grown-up Jake and Anna (played by Lindsay Lohan) deeply enjoying their family life together, still as quirky and in love as two decades ago. After watching the latest Disney flick, I have to say the reality doesn’t quite match those dreams.
Chad only graces the screen in a handful of scenes, while Anna’s affection is drawn to a fellow single dad, Eric (Manny Jacinto). Their romance, alongside an absurdly comical psychic, sets the stage for another round of body-swapping, which oddly doesn’t include Chad at all. Sure, **Disney** made sure to throw him in there—because why not? But let’s face it, despite his enduring charm and looks improving with time, his storyline feels like a total letdown.
Where’s my leading man? Why doesn’t he get the recognition he deserves for stepping back into the Hollywood frame? I’ve got the answer, and it’s definitely not on the big screen. Instead, his true magic lies on Netflix, where starting August 11 you can dive into three seasons of Murray in a role where he genuinely shines as a romantic lead.
Sullivan’s Crossing is Where Chad Michael Murray Truly Shines as a Romantic Lead
Say hello to Sullivan’s Crossing, a Netflix series filled with beautiful landscapes, intense drama, and of course, Chad Michael Murray as the romantic hero he was born to be. Here, he plays Cal, a local guy who catches the eye of Maggie (Morgan Kohan), a neurosurgeon returning to her roots after a stint in Boston. Cal’s got a big task ahead of him: winning over Maggie’s dad, Sully (Scott Patterson), who runs a local campsite, and dealing with her complicated love history involving her on-and-off boyfriend Andrew (Allan Hawco).
Just when it seemed Cal and Maggie were heading toward their happy ever after, season 3 (hitting Netflix on August 11 after saying goodbye to cable TV in July) delivered a whirl of surprise when a guy named Liam (Marcus Rosner) drops in—claiming to be Maggie’s secret husband who she doesn’t even remember.
As we wait to see how this tension unfolds (yay for season 4 being greenlit!), I find myself re-watching Cal’s best moments on repeat. Murray exudes that charm and vulnerability that make you swoon, losing yourself in everything you want in a romantic partner. He’s basically the modern version of Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice—counting on patience whilst juggling hard work and grounded wisdom.
In some alternate universe, I picture myself as Mrs. Chad Michael Murray, and you know what? I’m okay with just calling it a dream. While Freakier Friday didn’t fully capture his essence, it checked off many nostalgic boxes from the 2000s. You won’t regret binge-watching Sullivan’s Crossing, so get ready to enjoy it!
