I am watching and genuinely liking the series, just have to mention that even in 2016, they don't have high-school age kids actually played by teenagers. They also spout dialogue that is so above and beyond how teenagers actually talk, and the whole group of people stranded in the school are so blase and unemotional about their town destroyed and their friends turned into blood-sucking monsters, you'd think things like that happen to them all the time.
shareShows don't cast minors for teenage roles often. Minors are legally not allowed to work more than a certain number of hours per day and require schooling. It costs the studio a lot more to cast minors and it's standard practice in the industry for actors to play younger than they are, therefore it's more prudent to cast over the age of 18 for teenage roles. The subject matter and more adult themes also play a part in casting. Older actors typically have more experience and are more emotionally mature which influences their acting ability.
shareThis stuff happens all the time, the media just covers it up. But seriously the thing I've had the most problem with is that no one brought a phone charger. Seriously? And teenagers also? Come on!
share20 somethings playing teens in horror flicks/tv shows are pretty much just the industry standard. I rarely ever even notice it anymore. Quite honestly, the only horror movie I can think of (off the top of my head anyway) that has actors who actually look and seem like real teenagers is Wes Craven's 2010 film "My Soul To Take". Objectively speaking, it's not a very good movie (it's fairly confusing, has some pretty big plot holes, and it's characters are pretty lame) but for whatever reason, I like it a lot. ANYWAY, that's the only horror movie I can think of that stars, what seem like, actual teens. To me anyway!
share