Some fans are disappointed that Josh Heuston’s Dustin “Dusty” Reid has a somewhat smaller role Heartache high Season 2 on Netflix.
The soft reboot of the beloved Australian teen drama is back for a second season on the streaming giant, forcing fans into the lives of the students and staff at Hartley High.
One character fans latched on to especially fervently during Season 1 was Dustin/Dusty Reid (played by Josh Heuston), a bisexual high school student who was a major part of the first season.
Why is Dusty missing from Heartbreak High Season 2?
Fans may be wondering why Josh Heuston’s Dusty appearances have been significantly reduced Heartache high Season 2.
The season 1 mainstay has been dropped as a guest in season 2 and is no longer part of the main cast of teenage characters.
Storywise, this is explained in the first episode of Season 2. During the season premiere, it’s revealed in a conversation between Brodie Townsend’s Anthony “Ant” Vaughn, Asher Yasbincek’s Harper McLean, and Bryn Chapman-Parish’s Spencer “Spider” White. that Dusty “does not go” to Hartley High and has transferred to another school:
Ant: “I’m ready to fill any gaps Dusty left.”
Harper: “What do you mean ‘Left by Dusty?'”
Spider: “Oh, you didn’t hear? Dusty doesn’t come here anymore. I mean, how could you after you made his reputation in front of the whole school. There’s, what, two guys kicked him out of Hartley now. First Ca$h and now Dusty.”
This conversation is the first hint to fans that things will be different for Heuston’s character in Season 2.
He is only mentioned in one episode of Season 2 (Season 2 Episode 2), where he makes an early appearance revealing why he broke things off with Ayesha Madon at Amerie between Seasons 1 and 2.
Why the character was sidelined in Season 2 may have something to do with the circumstances, which are much out of the in-universe narrative.
Season 2 was filmed especially in the summer of 2023, also for future production Dune: Prophecy Max series, in which Heuston is scheduled to appear.
Although this has not been confirmed, Heuston’s role Dune The TV show may have had something to do with his limited participation Heartache high Season 2 where the Netflix series is at odds with him Dune commitments.
Fan reactions to Dusty’s absence at Heartbreak High
It’s safe to say that fans were shocked to see Josh Heuston’s lovable teenage heartthrob return in a long time. Heartache high Season 2 would be an understatement.
Thanks to his work in Season 1 of the teen drama, the actor and his character Dusty have become fan favorites. So it would come as a shock to many to learn that his role will be greatly reduced in season two.
Some particularly passionate members of the Dusty faithful expressed their dismay at the decision on social media, asking “Where the hell is Dusty?” (through @cosmicxsirens).
If the actor’s participation in the future Dune the spin-off series is the reason why he couldn’t be a bigger part Heartache high season 2, then there’s always the possibility that he could return in a potential season 3.
While no third season has been greenlit, if Netflix gives it the green light, it seems unlikely that it would film it at the same time as one of Houston’s other projects again.
Dusty performs Heartache highThe second season (as short as it is) doesn’t feel like a farewell for the character.
It feels like the show’s creative team has more narrative to do with the character if he wants to come back to see potential future stories in the universe.
Heartache high Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.
