Parents: Jack Childers and Vivian Chalomet

Relationships: Sierra Merteuil

Appearances: Seasons 5 & 6

Who’d Play Him: Steven R. McQueen

The Boy Who Came Too Late: Ashton Childers was the son of famed actor Jack Childers, growing up with the wealth, access, and expectations attached to one of Hollywood’s recognizable family names. Despite that privileged background, Ashton appeared gentler and more grounded than many of the young people in his circle. Handsome, attentive, and far less volatile than Benji Rydell, he entered Sierra Merteuil’s life just as she was beginning to pull away from the destructive relationship that had consumed her.

After learning that her impulsive marriage to Benji was not legally valid, Sierra began reconsidering their future. Benji’s jealousy, violent temper, and emotional instability had frightened both Sierra and Renee, while Jordan finally stopped enabling his son and cut him off financially. Against that increasingly dangerous backdrop, Sierra began spending time with Ashton.

Ashton’s interest offered Sierra something Benji rarely could: calm attention without immediate demands. Their growing friendship gave her a glimpse of a life outside the cycle of passion, fear, and reconciliation that had defined her relationship with Benji. Whether Sierra had truly begun falling for Ashton remained uncertain, but the possibility alone was enough to send Benji into a jealous rage.

When Sheldon Novak suggested that Sierra might prefer Ashton, Benji threatened him with a gun. From that point forward, Ashton ceased being merely another young man in Sierra’s social circle and became, in Benji’s mind, the rival who was taking away the woman he believed belonged to him.

After Benji persuaded Sierra to meet him at the Hollywood Bowl overlook, Ashton and Blake Distefano became concerned for her safety and headed there together. They were already too late: Sierra had refused to reunite with Benji, and he had shot her.

While fleeing the scene, Benji ran into the road and caused an accident involving the car carrying Ashton and Blake. Their vehicle collided with a drunk driver, leaving Blake badly injured and Ashton in a coma. Ashton had been racing to help Sierra but became another casualty of Benji’s collapse before he could reach her.