Jermelle Simon
This week’s Hollywood Reporter profile of Jermelle Simon captures a major turning point in the actor’s life as he transitions from his breakout role on Netflix’s The Upshaws to becoming a leading man in the queer sports genre.
With the final season of The Upshaws having just premiered (Jan 15, 2026), Simon reflects on the character that changed his life.
He describes “putting Bernard to rest with a smile,” noting that the character’s own journey of coming out and finding self-acceptance on the show was the “catalyst” for his own real-life truth.
He admits that for years, he wasn’t in denial about his sexuality, but was “paralyzed by the fear” of how it would impact his career.
The article confirms Simon’s his casting in the highly anticipated Crave/Max series “The Blue Line” (the spiritual successor to Heated Rivalry).
Simon will play a pivotal role in the Montreal Metros locker room.
He describes the show’s tone as “visceral” and “gritty,” focusing on how his character interacts with the team captain (played by Leo Suter) during the season’s central cultural shift.
Read more HERE.
