Who Plays Eric on ‘A Teacher’? Meet Nick Robinson

FX on Hulu‘s new series A Teacher flips the script on teacher/student relationship dramas. Instead of a male teacher, actress Kate Mara takes the older role beside a younger male co-star. The show aims to delve into the ramifications of a predatory relationship between a teacher and her underaged high school student, and debuts today on Hulu.

Claire (Mara) is a new English teacher at Westerbrook High School in Texas, and she’s quickly growing dissatisfied with her new marriage. She befriends a popular, charming student — but as the pair start spending more and more time together, Claire starts crossing inappropriate boundaries. Creator Hannah Fidell made sure to cast a light on the consequences of grooming, instead of glorifying the relationship in the story.

If the actor who leads alongside Mara looks familiar, you may recognize him from hits like Jurassic Park or Love, Simon. Here’s everything you need to know about the young star:

Who plays Eric Walker in A Teacher?

Nick Robinson plays Eric Walker in A Teacher, which is a new, darker role for the young actor. Eric is a popular high school senior who begins a sexual relationship with his English teacher. Fans of the star have already expressed their disappointment with his new role, upset with the teacher/student relationship narrative. Fidell, however, worked with RAINN (the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) to supplement the series with content warnings and helpful resources.

How old is Nick Robinson?

Though Eric Walker is still in high school and underage in A Teacher, Robinson is not. He’s currently 25 years old, and Kate Mara is 37 years old. Doesn’t make what’s happening on screen okay, though.

What else has Nick Robinson been in?

Robinson began his television career on the ABC sitcom Melissa & Joey as Ryder Scanlon, the nephew of Mel Burke (Melissa Joan Hart). He went on to star in a number of movies, including Frenemies, The Kings of Summer, and a breakthrough role in Jurassic World.

Although Ansel Elgort eventually nabbed the role, Robinson also tested for the role of Gus in The Fault in Our Stars. Ultimately, Robinson did get his big teen romance break as the lead of both Everything, Everything and Love, Simon. After A Teacher, the actor is set to star in the Netflix dramedy Maid alongside Margaret Qualley.

You can follow Nick Robinson on Instagram @therealnickrobinson.

Who else is in the A Teacher cast?

Robinson and Mara take the leading roles of A Teacher, but there’s also a cast full of family members, other teachers, and high school peers. Ashley Zukerman plays Matt, Claire’s supportive husband. Rya Kihlstedt and Charlie Zeltzer play Eric’s mom and brother, and Camila Perez plays his ex-girlfriend. Other stars in A Teacher include Marielle Scott, Shane Harper, and Adam David Thompson.

If you or someone you know needs to reach out about sexual abuse, RAINN is available 24/7 at 800-656-HOPE (4673), or online at RAINN.org.

Watch A Teacher on FX on Hulu