Sidelined 2: Intercepted—Everything We Know About The Sequel And The Wattpad Phenomenon That Started It All

The irresistible high school romance that took the streaming world by storm is back. As of December 15, 2025, fans are eagerly awaiting the release of Sidelined 2: Intercepted, the much-anticipated sequel to the Tubi original movie, Sidelined: The QB and Me. This franchise, which originated as a massive Wattpad hit, continues the captivating love story of the star quarterback, Drayton Lahey, and the fiercely independent dancer, Dallas Bryan, as they navigate the complexities of college life and a long-distance relationship. The new film promises to tackle fresh challenges, including college pressures, new rivals, and the struggle to maintain a "healthy young relationship" when their dreams pull them in different directions.

The original Sidelined: The QB and Me captured the hearts of millions with its classic enemies-to-lovers trope, blending the high-stakes world of high school football and competitive dance. Its success is a testament to the power of fan-driven content, translating an online sensation into a major motion picture. With the sequel now wrapped on filming, the focus shifts to how the beloved couple will handle the transition from high school sweethearts to college power couple in what is set to be one of the most talked-about young adult (YA) rom-coms of the year.

The Cast and Crew: Key Players in the Sidelined Universe

The success of the Sidelined franchise hinges on the chemistry of its lead actors and the creative team that brought Tay Marley’s vision to life. The sequel, Sidelined 2: Intercepted, sees the return of the core cast and crew, ensuring continuity for the devoted fanbase.

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Main Cast & Character Profiles

• Siena Agudong as Dallas Bryan: Dallas is the headstrong, ambitious dancer determined to follow in her late mother’s footsteps by attending a prestigious dance school. In the first film, her focus on her future clashed with her unexpected feelings for Drayton. In the sequel, she attends the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), where new opportunities—and new hurdles—arise.
• Noah Beck as Drayton Lahey: The charming, star quarterback who is under immense pressure from his father to secure a football scholarship and attend his alma mater. Drayton's journey is about balancing his own desires against the expectations placed upon him. In Intercepted, he is the star quarterback for the USC Trojans, facing the intense demands of collegiate football.
• James Van Der Beek: The veteran actor plays a key role, adding a layer of established Hollywood presence to the YA film.
• Drew Tanner: Known for his role in Riverdale, Tanner is one of the confirmed stars returning or joining the sequel, adding depth to the supporting cast.
• Jake Foy: Another confirmed cast member, expanding the roster of characters in the college setting.

The Creative Team

• Author: Tay Marley: The New Zealand author who created the original Wattpad sensation, The QB Bad Boy and Me, in 2017. Her work has been instrumental in the franchise's global appeal.
• Director: Justin Wu: Wu, who made his feature film directorial debut with the first Sidelined movie, returns to helm the sequel, maintaining the visual style and romantic tone of the series.
• Composer: Nikhil Seetharam: Responsible for the film's soundtrack and score.
• Cinematographer: Mark Chow: The director of photography, ensuring the film's aesthetic quality.
• Editor: Maureen Grant: Overseeing the final cut and pacing of the story.

From Wattpad Sensation to Tubi Blockbuster

The journey of Sidelined: The QB and Me is a remarkable example of how online storytelling can translate into mainstream media success. The original book, titled The QB Bad Boy and Me, was first published on Wattpad, the global online storytelling platform, where it quickly became a phenomenon.

The story accumulated over 32 million reads on the platform, establishing a massive, dedicated fanbase long before the movie was even conceived. This unprecedented success led to the novel being published in print by Wattpad Books in 2019, where it became a bestseller, further cementing its place in the young adult romance genre.

The film adaptation, which premiered on Tubi, was a direct result of this fan-driven popularity, becoming one of the platform's top-performing original films. This transition highlights a significant trend in modern media: studios are increasingly looking to platforms like Wattpad to find stories with proven audience appeal and built-in fandoms. The franchise is part of a larger literary universe, which also includes a prequel, "The Summer of '98," demonstrating the depth of the world created by Tay Marley.

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Sidelined 2: Intercepted—The College Challenge

The sequel, Sidelined 2: Intercepted, picks up right where the first film left off, introducing a new set of emotional and logistical challenges for Dallas and Drayton. The high school setting of the original film is replaced with the high-stakes environment of college, testing the couple's commitment to each other and their individual dreams.

The core conflict of Intercepted centers on the long-distance dynamic between the two protagonists. Dallas is pursuing her passion at CalArts, a prestigious California Institute of the Arts, dedicated to dance. Meanwhile, Drayton is living out his football dreams as the starting quarterback for the USC Trojans, a major step up from high school football. This geographical separation immediately introduces pressure, forcing them to navigate their relationship across state lines and demanding schedules.

However, the plot thickens when Drayton surprises Dallas by joining her in California. While this move is a testament to his commitment, it doesn't solve all their problems. The new environment brings new temptations, new friends, and new rivals that threaten to "intercept" their relationship. The sequel is poised to explore themes of maturity, sacrifice, and the difficulty of merging two intensely focused career paths. While the first movie ended on a relatively happy note after their third-act breakup, the sequel is rumored to take a different direction, promising a more complex and emotional conclusion that reflects the realities of young adult relationships.

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The title itself, Intercepted, hints at the central theme: a threat to their connection, a potential derailment of their plans, or a new person attempting to "catch" Drayton or Dallas's attention. Fans are eagerly anticipating how the beloved couple will overcome these new obstacles to secure their future together, solidifying their status as a true power couple in the YA romance genre.