IN CONVERSATION WITH BRENDON TREMBLAY

interview by JANA LETONJA

With a slate that spans Disney, Amazon, A24, and acclaimed independent filmmakers, Brendon Tremblay is quickly emerging as one of Hollywood’s most exciting young actors. Fresh off the premiere of Descendants: Wicked Wonderland, where he leads the latest chapter of Disney’s beloved franchise, he is currently filming Season 2 of Amazon’s We Were Liars and has several highly anticipated projects on the horizon, including A24’s Altar, the horror feature The Afters, and Disney+'s Coven Academy. 

Congratulations on the release of Descendants: Wicked Wonderland. What excited you most about joining such an iconic Disney franchise?

There’s so much to love about joining a project like this, from the energy and insane musical numbers to the iconic heroes and villains. But honestly, the biggest thrill for me comes down to nostalgia. I grew up completely immersed in Disney Channel. Shows like Jessie and Wizards of Waverly Place, along with movies like Teen Beach Movie and Descendants, were what originally sparked my desire to be on screen and make people laugh. To now step directly into a world I idolised as a kid is surreal, and it’s a total full-circle moment.

Without giving too much away, what can audiences expect from your character, and what made you connect with him?

They can expect a misunderstood 'bad boy' who just wants to escape the intense judgment cast on him by his peers because of his father’s evil streak. That’s really where I connected with Max. Growing up, I felt left out and misunderstood more times than I can remember, so reading the script, I immediately resonated with how frustrating and isolating that can be. His story is so beautifully tragic. He's deeply torn between loving his father and bearing the weight of all the repercussions from his father's actions.

Descendants has a passionate global fanbase. How has stepping into that world changed your perspective on the impact these stories have?

It’s truly beautiful how dedicated and passionate this fanbase is. Stepping into this world and being met with so much love has given me a deep sense of responsibility. I want to do this character and film complete justice, not just to make the fans proud, but to hopefully inspire the next generation of young artists the same way watching these movies inspired me.

You’re currently filming Season 2 of We Were Liars. Is there anything about Season 2 that you’re especially excited for fans to discover?

I’m incredibly excited for We Were Liars. I was a huge fan of E. Lockhart’s books back in high school, so stepping into that world is nuts. I can’t wait for fans to meet Major. He brings this comedic, fun, and wildly curious energy that is such a fun contrast to a character like Max. Between the incredible writing, the direction, and the genuine on-screen chemistry, it’s a show you'll definitely want to check out.

Your upcoming slate moves between fantasy, horror, drama, and YA. Is genre variety something you actively seek when choosing projects?

Yes, working in different genres and playing vastly different characters is really important to me. I love challenging and constantly pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I feel it's the best way for me to grow as an artist and a person.

What can you share with us about your upcoming projects Altar, The Afters, and Coven Academy?

For Altar, expect to be absolutely terrified. In The Afters, expect to see some gruesome scenes and arrogant frat energy, and in Coven Academy, expect to be bewildered by magic and fantasy.

Looking back, what role do you feel marked a turning point in your career?

I played Marc Lemieux in a limited series by filmmaker Xavier Dolan, called La nuit où Laurier Gaudreault s'est réveillé (The Night Logan Woke Up). Every second on that set felt special, but one specific moment completely altered the trajectory of my life.

It was a late-night shoot on our final day of production. My character had a subtle, explicit joke in a scene where we were playing Twister, and to my complete surprise, we couldn't finish the take because the entire crew kept dying of laughter the second I spoke. We spent half an hour just trying to get through it without anyone breaking.

Making a room full of artists laugh like that was the most incredible feeling. In that exact moment, I realised film was what I needed to do. At the crack of dawn the very next morning, I withdrew from my International Business program and officially switched to Cinema.

You’re building an impressive international résumé at a young age. How do you stay grounded while balancing multiple productions?

It's easy when I have such a great support system of friends and family to rely on. On my off time, you can usually find me frolicking around Montreal with my friends. I also make sure to talk to my mom, dad and my sister on a regular basis while I'm away working. That keeps me sane.

As someone of half-Chinese heritage, has your background influenced the kinds of stories or characters you’re drawn to?

Yes, absolutely. I’m constantly looking to collaborate with and support other Asian and Chinese artists in telling our stories. For me, taking on The Afters was an opportunity to delve into that. Playing a character who deals with deep-rooted self-hatred toward his Chinese heritage was complex and meaningful work. Moving forward, a big goal of mine is continuing to collaborate with artists who share that cultural connection.

Between long days on set, how do you recharge or make time for yourself?

Catch me exploring the city, going to the cinema, and learning new recipes.

If you could work with any filmmaker or actor you haven’t collaborated with yet, who would be at the top of your list?

As of right now, the Safdie brothers are at the top of my list of directors I want to work with. I love their style of filmmaking, and I’m a huge fan of everything they do.

As for actors, someone I need to work with is Steven Yeun. I loved watching him in The Walking Dead, which is one of my all-time favourite shows, and he is just brilliant in every single role he takes on. I feel like I would learn so much just being on set with him.

Looking ahead, what kinds of roles or stories do you hope to explore over the next few years?

I hope to explore stories that genuinely touch people. My goal is to draw on my own experiences to create work that feels relatable and grounded, something that leaves people feeling understood and inspired in their own lives.

TEAM CREDITS:

photography ALICE LARRIVÉE