The talented Noah Centineo made waves as Peter Kavinsky on one of the most popular Netflix teen rom-com hits, To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. Known for some time as “the internet’s boyfriend,” Centineo’s Peter Kavinsky was a breakout romantic male lead. Peter came across more like a soft soul rather than the traditional bad-boy or mean athlete. For as much heart as Peter brought to the films, this was not Centineo’s first role like this.
During the third season of The Fosters, Noah Centineo took over the role of Jesus Foster. Jesus came from a much more dramatic background than what viewers knew of Peter Kavinsky. Jesus was not just a romantic interest; he was an essential member of the family. Each character has a vastly different role within the context of the show and film in which they appear but there are still similarities.
Similar: Kind-Hearted
Jesus and Peter check the box on being a genuinely kind person. While each guy has flaws, both care deeply about their loved ones at the end of the day.
Jesus has many heartfelt moments with his family. Most of those occurred with Mariana, as Jesus’ strongest connection tended to be with his twin. Peter also shows his kind side to Lara Jean and her sister, Kitty whenever he was around them.
Polar Opposites: Family Life
Not much about Peter Kavinsky’s home life is shared throughout the trilogy. Given that the films mainly show Lara Jean’s perspective of events, it makes sense that Peter’s family wouldn’t be as included in the overall story other than the fact that his relationship with his dad isn’t great.
This is the complete opposite of Jesus Foster. Family is an integral aspect of The Fosters, and Jesus spends plenty of time with his mothers and siblings. Jesus, for some time, shares a room with Jude and has a deep bond with his twin sister, Mariana. Stef and Lena are always there for Jesus when he needs them, and even when Jesus keeps secrets, his relationships with them are still strong.
Similar: Romantic Trouble
Peter and Lara Jean’s romance is not just three films of happiness. They have struggled; beginning with how their relationship started as fake dating and eventually became real. However, they still ran into problems when John Ambrose reappeared in Lara Jean’s life. He posed a threat to Peter and Lara Jean’s relationship when they connected while working at a nursing home. In the third film, distance is the central conflict for Peter and Lara Jean as they realize their time in high school is running out.
On The Fosters, from season three and onward, Emma is the main love interest Jesus has. They keep their relationship on the casual side before eventually getting back together.
Polar Opposites: Personal Struggles
Peter doesn’t have a lot of negative impacts on his life. His father plays a role in Peter’s problems with people leaving, but otherwise, he has people who care about him. In comparison, Jesus has had a lot more things to be concerned about. From a young age, he understood that life was not going to be easy given his mom’s battle with alcoholism.
He and Mariana were in the foster system, but things didn’t start looking up until they met Stef and Lena. Jesus later suffered a traumatic brain injury and spent plenty of time dealing with the repercussions, such as not being able to read and physical therapy. It was a moment of celebration when Jesus realized he could read again.
Similar: Focused On One Girl
Even though Peter begins To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before intending to get back together with Gen, it’s still clear how much Peter and Lara Jean have bonded during their scheme. Rather than continue to pursue Gen, Peter realizes his feelings for Lara Jean, and for the rest of the trilogy, he is devoted to being with her.
Jesus acts similarly about Emma when they get back together. While there are obstacles for them, Jesus believes in his relationship with Emma and doesn’t want to mess it up. Even though Jesus and Emma break up in The Fosters’ finale, the two got back together and revealed their engagement during a Christmas episode of Good Trouble.
Polar Opposites: Plans For The Future
Throughout To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before: Always And Forever, Peter is excited to attend Stanford. Wanting Lara Jean to join him, Peter has envisioned their future in college together with a lacrosse scholarship and Lara Jean studying literature. It isn’t as clear what Peter intends to do for a profession, but that isn’t as important as the upcoming college years.
Jesus, on the other hand, finds himself drawn to construction. In The Fosters’ final episodes, he revealed his plans to open a treehouse construction company with Wyatt. In the first season of Good Trouble, Jesus was still planning on going down the construction route.
Similar: Long Distance Relationship
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, and The Fosters take place in California, so when Jesus and Peter’s respective girlfriends wish to attend college on the east coast, it is a blow to both relationships. Peter isn’t thrilled at the prospect of a whole country of distance when Lara Jean announces her desire to attend NYU. Although they decide to give a long-distance relationship a shot, the film never shows if it works out.
Emma’s choice to go to MIT with Mariana has Jesus a country away from his girlfriend and sister. Jesus and Emma manage a long-distance relationship that is not shown on-screen when a time jump skips over it to their next dilemma: another long-distance dynamic. Emma is offered a job in India, and her wish to take it contradicts her plans with Jesus to stay in California. However, in Good Trouble, Jesus had joined Emma in India, and the two revealed their engagement.
Polar Opposites: Pregnancy Storyline
One of the biggest differences between Jesus and Peter’s relationships is how far they go. Peter and Lara Jean don’t have a pregnancy scare to worry about. It wouldn’t have been able to fit in the final film, and it would’ve overcomplicated their relationship unnecessarily.
But, unexpected pregnancy did play a role with Emma and Jesus. Emma had chosen to get an abortion and brought Brandon to be with her for support. At first, Jesus was not aware Emma was pregnant and did not learn about the pregnancy until later.
Similar: Time In Their Lives
If there’s anything Jesus and Peter have in common, it’s the point in their lives they are at throughout the majority each is shown on-screen. In The Fosters, Jesus is a junior in high school, which means he and Peter are preparing for very similar things.
The last two years of high school spend a lot of time concerned with school dances, relationships, and wondering what will come next. They are experiencing what it is like to grow up and gain a new type of responsibility.
Polar Opposites: Life Experiences
For the most part, Peter is portrayed as someone who goes to school and is excited to spend time with his girlfriend. The most complicated thing about Peter is how his relationship with his father affects his dynamic with Lara Jean.
Jesus has a much more complicated life. Jesus gained a TBI, which had side effects, including him temporarily not being able to read, personality differences, and physical therapy. Those were just some of his experiences, as Jesus also dealt with the fallout of what was occurring with his family.