If you’ve binged Ginny & Georgia and found yourself pausing every time Joe walks in with that easy charm and smirky smile, congrats, you’re officially part of the Raymond Ablack fan club. There’s just something magnetic about him. He plays the wholesome, emotionally available cafe owner like it’s second nature, but trust us there’s so much more brewing under the surface than just killer lattes and puppy-dog eyes.
What most fans don’t realize is that Ablack isn’t some Hollywood overnight sensation. He’s been grinding for years, quietly building a résumé packed with theater gigs, web series, serious acting chops, and a side of stand-up comedy. From slaying it as Young Simba onstage to navigating teen drama in Degrassi and now winning hearts on Netflix, his journey has been anything but one-note.
Oh, and get this, he’s a real-life big brother on screen, shares karaoke nights with Celine Dion classics, and has traveled across the globe for charity work. Whether he’s rocking a rugged beard or flashing that slightly crooked smile, Raymond brings a grounded, guy-next-door energy that’s rare in the industry today.
So if you’re ready to go beyond Joe and really get to know the man behind the mug, these underrated facts will change the way you see him.
1. Canadian comedy roots and choral Training
Long before Ginny & Georgia made him the internet’s latest crush, Raymond Ablack was deep in the trenches of creative hustle. He didn’t just wake up one day and land a Netflix role, this guy trained. Like, actually trained. He studied stand-up comedy and improv at Toronto’s legendary Second City, a place known for shaping some of the best comedic minds in the business (yes, we’re talking SCTV, Tina Fey-level energy here). That wit and sharp timing Joe has? It’s no accident, it’s muscle memory.
And then there’s the music. Raymond also spent his teen years immersed in choral music at Cardinal Carter Academy for the Arts. We’re talking harmonies, formal vocal technique, probably a few blazers and bowties. The man had range, literally. Not many actors can say they were learning both how to land a punchline and a perfect high note before their 18th birthday.
It’s this unique combo of comedic instincts and musical discipline that gives him his signature charm. He’s not just acting, he’s performing in every sense. That’s why Joe doesn’t feel like a character. He feels like someone you know because Ablack knows exactly how to sell it.
2. Raymond Ablack played young Simba on stage
Before Raymond Ablack ever served cappuccinos with emotional tension on Ginny & Georgia, he was belting out “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” under stage lights. Yes, really. At just 11 years old, he landed the role of Young Simba in the Toronto production of The Lion King at the iconic Princess of Wales Theatre. That’s not just a cute credit, it’s a career-defining moment.
This wasn’t some school play. This was the real-deal, full-scale Broadway tour level of The Lion King with lavish costumes, massive crowds, and yes, Rafiki probably did the whole dramatic lifting-of-baby-Simba moment nightly. For the rising artist, it was a crash course in professional theater. Stage presence, discipline, voice control, timing, he was soaking it all up before most of us even figured out what middle school was.
And that early training still echoes in his performances today. There’s a theatrical warmth to how he delivers a line, how he holds a pause, how he uses silence. You can feel the stage kid in him, the one who learned to hold an audience from the very front row.
3. Ex‑hockey goaltender with NHL dreams
Before the Netflix glow-up, Raymond Ablack was eyeing a very different spotlight, the icy glare of a hockey rink. Yes, this Toronto-born heartthrob actually spent 14 years playing competitive hockey, suiting up as both a skater and a goaltender. Talk about range. And he wasn’t just dabbling. Raymond was serious about the sport, with legit NHL dreams. That dream, however, started to shift when he landed his breakout TV role as Sav Bhandari on Degrassi: The Next Generation.
Imagine juggling goalie practice with acting rehearsals and high school, it’s giving serious multitasker energy. The discipline from years on the ice clearly paid off; there’s a level-headed intensity to his performances that screams ex-athlete. Plus, the sports background totally explains his calm-under-pressure vibe in shows like Ginny & Georgia.
And honestly, can we take a moment to appreciate the visual of teenage Raymond saving goals in full gear one day, then hitting set in front of the camera the next? Total main character arc. While the NHL might not have happened, it’s safe to say Ablack found his arena and he’s been winning hearts instead of games ever since.
4. Indie series award winner
Between 2014 and 2017, he starred in the edgy Canadian web series Teenagers, a raw, intimate show about suburban youth and all the chaos that comes with growing up in a digital age. Think Euphoria, but make it indie and honest. Ablack played a character named Roman, and let’s just say he brought the emotional heat.
What’s even more impressive? His performance earned him a 2016 Indie Series Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama. It’s one of those under-the-radar wins that reminds you how much work actors put in behind the scenes, no flashing lights, no massive press tours, just pure talent on screen.
It also proves he’s not just riding on pretty-boy points; the man has range. Web series might not always get mainstream love, but for Raymond, Teenagers was a launchpad, a space where he got to stretch, challenge himself, and earn some well-deserved recognition. And honestly? That grit is part of why he shines so bright on your Netflix queue now.
5. Proud Indo-Guyanese and representation advocate
Raymond Ablack doesn’t just act, he represents. Born and raised in Toronto to Indo-Guyanese immigrant parents, Raymond is the kind of star who brings his whole self to the screen. He’s not shy about his heritage, in fact, he wears it like a badge of honor. While many actors might quietly blend into the Hollywood mold, the actor leans into what makes him unique. He’s been vocal about how underrepresented South Asian and Caribbean voices are in mainstream media, and he’s made it a personal mission to help change that.
One of the coolest things? His portrayal of Joe in Ginny & Georgia was intentionally crafted with more depth than your average TV love interest. Ablack described modeling the character after the lovable sarcasm of sitcom icons like Ross Geller, Chandler Bing, and Jim Halpert but with added layers of warmth and cultural nuance that reflect his own identity.
Joe’s subtle charm isn’t just scripted, it’s infused with the kind of lived experience that makes him feel real. Raymond doesn’t just want screen time, he wants screen meaning. And thanks to him, a new generation gets to see themselves, their stories, and their quirks, finally reflected on a major show.
6. He Shares the Screen with His Sister
If you thought the sibling energy between Joe and Padma on Ginny & Georgia felt a little too real, that’s because it actually is. Raymond Ablack’s on-screen counterpart Rebecca Ablack isn’t just a talented co-star, she’s his real-life little sister. Yes, the show snuck in a family duo, and fans are all the better for it. The natural chemistry between Joe and Padma? That’s not acting. That’s years of teasing, supporting, and probably stealing each other’s snacks in real life.
Rebecca plays Padma, the fiery singer and teen heartthrob who has her own complex arcs throughout the show. Meanwhile, Raymond’s Joe is the local café owner with a heart of gold (and the world’s most cryptic slow-burn romance). One of the most endearing moments in Season 2 is when Padma calls Joe a “dorky older brother”, a line that wasn’t just a wink to viewers, but a sweet behind-the-scenes truth.
The show gave them a chance to honor their sibling bond on camera, and honestly, it’s the kind of casting choice that makes Ginny & Georgia feel even more grounded. Two talented siblings, one wildly popular Netflix series, and a whole lot of heart, what’s not to love?
Raymond Ablack continues to steal scenes and hearts, both on-screen and off. With Ginny & Georgia’s new season finally here, the buzz is real—and so is the drama. If you thought things were wild before, this season takes it up several notches. Ablack’s presence is magnetic, the story’s full of twists, and let’s just say… it’s worth the binge. Whether you’re here for the tea, the tension, or just more Joe, now’s the time to dive in. Trust us, this one’s going to get people talking.
Watch Ginny & Georgia season 3 on Netflix.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
