From a child star to nation’s son
Will Ashley has been in showbiz for more than half of his life and people have practically watched him grow up on screen. Now at 22, the GMA Network actor is stepping into his own, moving past child star roles and slowly becoming one of the faces of his generation.
Will started out young, appearing in GMA’s Villa Quintana back in 2013. It was followed by small but steady roles in Innamorata, Niño, and Alyas Robin Hood, where his charm first stood out.
But it was Prima Donnas that changed everything. When the afternoon series became a hit in 2019, Will quickly found himself in the spotlight. His character Nolan Dimasalang became a fan favorite, especially among young viewers, and his love team with Sofia Pablo turned into one of the most followed pairs on local TV.
Instead of just coasting through as a teen heartthrob, Will took on more mature roles. In Mano Po Legacy: The Flower Sisters and The Fake Life, he proved he could handle heavier storylines.
By 2023, he was already on primetime, playing Jerry Keller in Unbreak My Heart, the high-profile drama where GMA teamed up with ABS-CBN. It was a big step, sharing the screen with some of the country’s top stars.
But it was Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition in 2025 that really showed people a different side of Will. Without scripts or characters to play, fans saw him for who he really was—friendly, grounded, and surprisingly funny.
His closeness with Bianca De Vera inside the house became a hot topic online, with the “WillCa” tandem gaining thousands of supporters overnight. He may have finished as runner-up, but many viewers felt like Will was the season’s heartthrob winner.
Supporters also love seeing his softer side, a self-proclaimed mama’s boy who never shies away from expressing love for his family, and a proud fur parent to his cat, Jerry, named after his Unbreak My Heart character. It’s these little glimpses of his off-screen life that have made Will even more relatable to his growing fanbase.
More recently, Will showed a different side of his acting in Balota, an entry in Cinemalaya where his performance earned positive feedback and acting nominations. It was a change of pace from his usual TV roles, giving him the chance to take on something more grounded and serious.
He’s also part of the Bar Boys sequel, joining the big-screen follow-up to the hit legal drama film. The project gives Will another opportunity to work alongside established actors while adding more variety to his growing list of roles.
From mainstream dramas to indie films and even reality shows, Will is slowly but surely showing everyone what he’s capable of. In a time when many young stars rely on quick fame, Will Ashley is taking the long route—building his career one role at a time. And if the last few years are any indication, this is just the beginning of an even bigger chapter.
