Purple Hearts isn’t your typical enemies-turned-lovers love story. Its leading characters are just two young people with vastly different worldviews. Cassie Salazar (Sofia Carson) is an aspiring musician living with Type I diabetes, while Luke Morrow (Nicholas Galitzine) is a patriotic US Marine preparing for deployment. But when they discover that they’re each carrying heavy financial debt, the two strangers agree to enter a temporary marriage that will allow both of them to reap the health and monetary benefits of the military. Through music, the newlyweds soon learn more about each other and eventually find common ground. Meet the cast of Purple Hearts, from rising stars to pop singers.

Sofia Carson as Cassie Salazar 

Taking the easy road isn’t an option for the film’s aspiring singer-songwriter. Cassie juggles several jobs as a server, food delivery driver and piano teacher. But performing with her band is the only gig she’s truly passionate about. Even with her multiple sources of income, finding enough money for both rent and insulin is too much to handle. Despite the challenges, though, she’s persistent — something she learned from her single mother. Due to her upbringing in a working-class immigrant family, Cassie also advocates for other marginalized communities and won’t compromise her beliefs. 

“I was telling the very real story of a young woman, daughter of an immigrant single mother who has fought for everything in her life,” Carson tells Tudum. “Her story is raw and real and beautiful, but often heavy with trauma, loss, injustice and the reality of an unfair system.” Like her character, Carson is a singer-songwriter (albeit a multi-platinum, award-nominated one). She’s known for her roles in Feel the Beat, Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists and Disney’s Descendants. Carson also serves as executive producer on Purple Hearts, and is one of the film’s co-writers and the performer of the movie’s soundtrack (available July 29). The original song, “Come Back Home,” featured in the trailer and the film, is out now HERE.

Follow Carson on Instagram and Twitter. 

Nicholas Galitzine as Luke Morrow

The clean-cut US Marine is getting ready for deployment, but he hasn’t always been the model all-American boy. Coming from a troubled past, Luke enlists in the military to prove himself to his estranged father. He’s proud to serve and protect his country, but when he meets Cassie, he learns to let down his guard. Although Luke doesn’t always agree with Cassie’s politics, he’s persuaded to temporarily marry her for extra pay benefits in order to clear his past debts. 

“I felt compelled to immerse myself as much in the military culture as possible before taking on a role like this,” Galitzine tells Tudum. “I think there’s such specificity that is required to play such a character, so it was very much about understanding the process of creating a Marine — what basic training looked like, the intensity of it all, how they carry themselves, body language.” The English actor recently portrayed Prince Robert in Cinderella alongside Camila Cabello and is currently filming Red, White & Royal Blue, based on the bestselling gay YA novel of the same name.

Follow Galitzine on Instagram and Twitter.

Chosen Jacobs as Frankie

As Cassie’s friend since childhood, Frankie still looks out for her like his own flesh and blood. When they’re reunited at a bar, Cassie is turned off by Frankie’s pals’ misogynistic jokes. However, it’s through this fraught encounter that she ends up meeting Luke.

Jacobs is known for his role in the musical film Sneakerella, as well as playing young Mike Hanlon in the It movies. 

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Linden Ashby as Jacob Morrow Sr. 

Jacob Morrow Sr. is a retired military police officer who’s tough and by-the-book when it comes to cracking down on crime. It’s no surprise that he has a strained relationship with his son Luke, who has a troubled past. 

Ashby also played a sheriff in the Teen Wolf series and has appeared in The Young and the Restless and Days of Our Lives.

Follow Ashby on Instagram and Twitter.

Loren Escandon as Marisol Salazar

Marisol can be hard on her daughter Cassie, but she’s just concerned about seeing her struggling to survive. It’s an experience she knows all too well as an immigrant and a single mother. Still, Marisol doesn’t overstep her boundaries and she is Cassie’s biggest fan, cheering her on from the front row.

Escandon is a Colombian-born actor, director and writer. She’s starred in Selena: The Series and Gentefied.

Follow Escandon on Instagram and Twitter.