On Screen, Alex and Jackie’s Chemistry is Undeniable — But Fans Are Buzzing About Sarah Rafferty’s Mysterious On-Set Feud, Which Might Spill into My Life With the Walter Boys Season 3

The love triangle at the heart of Netflix’s My Life with the Walter Boys has always been a powder keg of emotions, but Season 2 took it to new heights with undeniable sparks flying between Jackie Howard (Nikki Rodriguez) and Alex Walter (Ashby Gentry). As the series hurtles toward its third season, set for a 2026 premiere, fans are not only dissecting the on-screen romance but also whispering about off-screen drama involving matriarch Katherine Walter herself, Sarah Rafferty. Rumors of a mysterious on-set feud involving Rafferty have been circulating on social media, with some speculating it could influence Katherine’s storyline in Season 3—perhaps adding tension to the Walter family’s already fragile dynamics. With production underway in Alberta, Canada, these buzzes are making the ranch feel even more volatile. ⚡👀

For those catching up on the chaos, My Life with the Walter Boys—adapted from Ali Novak’s Wattpad hit—follows 16-year-old Jackie, a New York City perfectionist orphaned by a tragic car accident. She relocates to the sprawling Walter ranch in Silver Falls, Colorado, under the care of her aunt Katherine (Rafferty) and uncle George (Marc Blucas), who already wrangle 10 rowdy kids. The show’s magnetic pull lies in Jackie’s entanglement with the fraternal twins: Cole (Noah LaLonde), the brooding ex-quarterback haunted by injury and loss, and Alex, the once-awkward science whiz who’s blossomed into a confident bull rider. Season 1 ended with Jackie kissing Cole after Alex’s love confession, prompting her flight back to NYC. Season 2, which premiered August 28, 2025, brought her back, but not without complications—she secretly rekindles with Alex while her pull toward Cole simmers.

What makes Alex and Jackie’s pairing so compelling is their chemistry, a slow-burn mix of sweetness and shared vulnerability that contrasts Cole’s fiery intensity. In Season 2, Alex returns from rodeo camp with a glow-up, trading glasses for rugged charm, and their reunion scenes crackle with tenderness. “Alex is quite mature about it,” showrunner Melanie Halsall told Tudum, referring to his handling of Jackie’s past kiss with Cole. Gentry, who plays Alex, echoed this in a Hollywood Reporter interview: “They’re cute together… I get it,” acknowledging the undeniable spark even as he roots for his character’s growth. Fans on Reddit rave about their dynamic, with one user noting, “Jackie and Alex have that safe, friendship-based love—it’s deeper than the chaos with Cole.” Their secret make-out sessions, like the one Cole interrupts, highlight a chemistry built on trust and quiet support, making Alex’s eventual heartbreak in the finale all the more devastating. As Jackie confesses her love to Cole—overheard by Alex—the brothers’ rift deepens, setting up Season 3’s exploration of fractured bonds.

But amid this romantic turmoil, off-screen whispers are stealing the spotlight. Fans are buzzing about a purported “mysterious on-set feud” involving Sarah Rafferty, the 52-year-old Suits alum who brings warmth and wit to Katherine. Known for her role as the sharp Donna Paulsen, Rafferty has been praised for humanizing the overworked vet and mom-of-11, but recent social media speculation suggests tension during Season 3 filming. On X, users have pointed to leaked set photos showing Rafferty in heated discussions with crew, fueling theories of a clash over creative direction or scheduling. One viral thread from @WalterBoysBuzz (with over 10,000 views) claims, “Sarah Rafferty’s mysterious feud on set—heard it’s with a director over Katherine’s arc. Could spill into S3 drama!” While details remain scarce—likely due to NDAs—the rumor mill ties it to Rafferty’s advocacy for realistic portrayals of motherhood, as she discussed in a TVLine interview: “I’m hypervigilant about how mothers are shown… A director’s shorthand caught my attention once.” Some speculate this “feud” echoes past Hollywood tensions, like her pushback against outdated tropes in Suits, and could manifest in Season 3 as Katherine grappling with family secrets or her own emotional vulnerabilities.

The buzz intensified after a Reddit post in the r/MyLifewithWalterBoys subreddit, where fans dissected Rafferty’s Instagram stories from the set, interpreting a cryptic caption—”Chaos is clarity”—as a nod to behind-the-scenes friction. “Does anyone know why Sarah Rafferty took the role? Something feels off,” one user queried, sparking debates about her commitment amid rumors of exhaustion from the demanding shoot. Halsall has teased Katherine’s expanded arc in Season 3, including “intergenerational relationships” and her friendship with Joanne (Janet Kidder), which could incorporate real-life inspirations if the feud rumors hold water. In a People exclusive, Rafferty gushed about the “chaos” she loves, but fans wonder if it’s bleeding into reality. X semantic searches reveal posts like @RanchDramaQueen’s: “Sarah’s on-set feud might make Katherine more complex in S3—fingers crossed for that tension!” Engagement is high, with #SarahRaffertyFeud trending briefly in early September 2025, amassing thousands of interactions.

This isn’t the first time off-screen vibes have influenced My Life with the Walter Boys. Rodriguez admitted disagreeing with Jackie’s choice in Season 2, and LaLonde drew from fan mail for Cole’s depth. Rafferty’s potential feud adds intrigue, especially as Season 3 promises to address the finale’s cliffhangers: Alex’s betrayal heartbreak, Cole and Jackie’s confession, and George’s collapse (possibly a heart issue tied to ranch stresses). Halsall told Deadline, “We can’t ignore [the revelation]… She can’t keep bouncing between two boys,” hinting at resolution while expanding adult stories—like Katherine’s flirtations or vineyard plans. If the feud is real, it might amplify Katherine’s “conflicted” side, as Rafferty described: “How much vulnerability do I share?” Production photos show the cast reunited, but eagle-eyed fans spot Rafferty’s isolated shots, fueling speculation of spillover drama.

The fandom’s reaction is electric. On X, #TeamAlex advocates defend the chemistry, tweeting, “Alex and Jackie’s spark is undeniable—don’t let S3 ruin it with off-screen BS!” while #KatherineWalter stans worry the feud could sideline her. Critics like those on IMDb praise the ensemble but note, “No chemistry between some characters,” indirectly nodding to broader tensions. ScreenRant critiqued Alex’s Season 2 regression but hopes for redemption, perhaps pairing him with Kiley (Mya Lowe) to let Jackie evolve. With over 20 million Season 1 views and billions in social impressions, the show’s blend of on- and off-screen layers keeps it addictive.

Ultimately, whether Rafferty’s “feud” is a misunderstanding or genuine clash, it’s amplifying hype for Season 3. The undeniable Alex-Jackie chemistry provides emotional grounding, but if Katherine’s arc gets a real-life edge, the Walters’ world could feel even more authentic—and messy. As filming wraps by late 2025, fans are glued to every leak. In this ranch of secrets, nothing stays buried for long.