Kingsport Native Stars in Netflix's "His & Hers"

Astrid Rotenberry, a Dobyns-Bennett High School graduate, lands breakout role in popular new Netflix series.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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Astrid Rotenberry, a 28-year-old actress from Kingsport, Tennessee, is making waves with her starring role in the new Netflix series "His & Hers." Rotenberry, a Dobyns-Bennett High School alum, has been cultivating her acting career in New York City and recently landed the part of teen Catherine Kelly in the six-episode limited series. The show, which also stars Tessa Thompson and Jon Bernthal, has been a hit on Netflix, remaining in the Global Top 10 for three weeks.

Why it matters

Rotenberry's success story is inspiring for young people in the Kingsport community, showing that pursuing a career in the arts is possible, even if it's not an easy path. Her breakout role on a major Netflix series is a point of pride for her hometown and demonstrates that talent and dedication can lead to big opportunities, even for those coming from a smaller city.

The details

Rotenberry's acting journey began at a young age, with her first major role in a play at the Kingsport Theater Guild when she was just 8 years old. She was also involved in the drama program at Dobyns-Bennett High School, appearing in productions like "Little Shop of Horrors" during her senior year. After graduating, Rotenberry went on to study theater at Belmont University in Nashville before moving to New York City to pursue her acting career. Her first major roles were in "American Sports Story" and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" before landing the part in "His & Hers."

  • Rotenberry booked the role for "His & Hers" in late summer 2024.
  • The series was filmed in late September through early winter 2024.
  • "His & Hers" was released on Netflix last month and has remained in the Global Top 10 Shows for three weeks.

The players

Astrid Rotenberry

A 28-year-old actress from Kingsport, Tennessee who stars as teen Catherine Kelly in the Netflix series "His & Hers." Rotenberry is a Dobyns-Bennett High School graduate who has been cultivating her acting career in New York City.

Tessa Thompson

An American actress who stars as Anna Andrews in "His & Hers" and also served as an executive producer for the show.

Jon Bernthal

An American actor who stars as Detective Jack Harper in "His & Hers."

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What they’re saying

“I think it's really exciting to know that there are kids in Kingsport who can see that pursuing a career in the arts is something that you can do and it is something that is feasible. It may not be easy, but it is something that you can do. That was something I always wanted to see, and so it's been cool knowing that I get to be that in some shape or form.”

— Astrid Rotenberry, Actress

“It was really amazing getting to watch her and learn from her, and even just the way that she carried herself on set, she's such a wonderful example of everything I want to be in an artist and a human being. It was just really cool getting to talk to her and seeing how passionate she was about it.”

— Astrid Rotenberry, Actress

The takeaway

Astrid Rotenberry's success in landing a starring role in the hit Netflix series "His & Hers" demonstrates that with talent, dedication, and perseverance, young people from smaller cities like Kingsport can achieve their dreams of becoming professional actors. Her breakout performance is an inspiration to aspiring artists in her hometown and beyond.