IN CONVERSATION WITH NOAH LALONDE

interview by JANA LETONJA

With My Life with the Walter Boys continuing to build momentum, Noah LaLonde is stepping into an exciting new chapter. As Cole Walter—the complex, fan-favorite heartthrob at the center of the series’ love triangle—he has become one of Netflix’s rising young stars, bringing depth and vulnerability to a character audiences can’t stop talking about. With Season 3 on the horizon and a fourth season already confirmed, he’s also expanding his Netflix résumé with a role in the upcoming romantic comedy Guarding Stars.

coat DOLCE & GABBANA
shirt DSQUARED2
tie VIVIANO
trousers KIDSUPER
glasses GARRETT LEIGHT

My Life with the Walter Boys has developed such a passionate fan base. Why do you think fans have connected so deeply with Cole, despite all of his flaws?

I can never really be too sure. Of course, some of the audience connects with him, others don’t, and I’d have to assume the reasoning for everyone is different. And I respect that. When approaching the story, I just wanted to understand why he behaves the way he does and what has led to the version of him we see in the show. And in that process, I didn’t find a perfect person, but I did find someone who is a good person deep down, a person who cares deeply about the people around him. At times in the story, he does lose himself in his own processing of what’s happened to him, but I’d like to hope when it’s all said and done, the good can outweigh the bad. And maybe people connect with that because they feel they’re trying to do the same thing.

Looking back at where Cole started, how has playing him changed you as an actor?

It’s changed me in more ways than I think I can fully process right now. I’m lucky enough to have worked with a lot of great people in this process, and each one of them, coupled with the time spent approaching this character, has taught me a lot about what it is to be an actor. Cole has given me the chance to go back in time, and use and rework some very specific experiences in my life, to figure out the differences and similarities in how I went through them and how Cole would go through them. And he’s taught me to trust myself and my instincts even more than I ever thought I could.

full look PAUL SMITH
shoes CHRISTIAN LOUBOUTIN
necklace CARTIER

Without giving away spoilers, what can fans expect from Cole’s journey in Season 3?

Like I’ve said, Cole isn’t perfect. So, I think you’ll see a young man who’s trying to do the right thing as much as he can. Sometimes, things will get in the way, sometimes he’ll get in his own way. Sometimes, he’ll follow his heart, and he’s proven wise to do so, and sometimes, he decides to not trust himself and his heart, and he’s left to regret it. Ultimately, he’s trying to figure himself out, all while navigating a version of his life that is now undeniably parallel to another person.

Cole is often caught between vulnerability and confidence. How do you approach balancing those different sides of his personality?

There are certain things that I feel are easy to for him to be confident about and around. Like myself, like most people, there isn’t a lot of deciding when it comes to this. When you know something, you know it. When you’re prepared and studied, you can walk into the classroom and take an exam with confidence. So, when Cole is around the things he knows and has a strong relationship to, he can be confident. For him, that’s a decent number of things.

But at the same time, over three seasons of this show, we’ve watched Cole on this journey of re-establishing his relationship to a lot of things, after his leg injury ended his football career. So, in his case, there are certain things that he still feels confident about, and there are others that put a particular spotlight on how unconfident he feels. And really, until Jackie comes along, he doesn’t feel he has a lot of places to feel and express vulnerability so freely. I think the freedom he feels to do that with her is one of the reasons he is so pulled towards her.

The love triangle remains one of the show’s biggest talking points. What do you enjoy most about playing those emotionally charged dynamics?

When you feel strongly enough about another person, there are few things better than finding out they feel the same way. There’s also nothing worse than knowing someone else could be in the picture. The stakes couldn’t possibly be higher. To play both intense ends of that spectrum is a joy because it is so known, and I’m always looking to explore and dive deeper into those deeply personal moments when I’ve felt them myself.

full look DOLCE & GABBANA
glasses GARRET LEIGHT
watch CARTIER
shoes JIMMY CHOO

Now that the show has already been renewed for Season 4, does that change how you think about Cole’s long-term arc?

Honestly, not really. I try to be in the moment as things are happening, so until I hear that this show is over, I’m going to keep wondering about Cole’s arc. As long as one is being written and we’re fortunate enough to keep bringing it to life.

Fans are incredibly vocal online. Do you pay attention to social media reactions, or do you try to tune them out?

Sometimes. I feel like I’m generally kind of aware of reactions and what not. We spend such a long time and work so hard making the show, it’s really cool to see people so invested in it. It’s really an honor to be able to be a part of something that people care about. I’m really grateful.

You’re also joining another Netflix project, Guarding Stars. What drew you to that role, and how does it differ from playing Cole?

Yes, I’m very excited for that. It was a blast to be on a different set and work on something new. I think the main difference from Cole would be that the characters are just in very different stages of their lives. I can’t say much, but I was drawn to a lot more of those details of why the characters were different, and the differences in the worlds they exist in. It’s a great story that is really heartfelt and comes with some important lessons that I had a great time exploring.

What was it like working alongside such an accomplished cast on Guarding Stars?

It was lovely. I love being a sponge on set, just absorbing wisdom and experience and getting to know these incredibly talented people, who are kind enough to share their stories and insights. I left the project feeling like I had learned so much just from being in that environment, while getting to know some really wonderful and kind people, and I feel really fortunate for that.

As your career continues to grow, what kinds of roles are you hoping to explore next?

There is so much that excites me about being an actor. I’m not one to close off to anything, and I look really forward to exploring new stories and perspectives. I’ve been enjoying the surge of a lot of really original and fascinating ideas in the horror genre, so it’d be interesting to see how long that continues and if I could find myself involved in it. Oh, and I just saw The Odyssey. There is nothing unique about me saying this, but I’m just such a fan of Christopher Nolan’s. Not only what he creates, but how he does it, with such a care for the art.  It’d be a dream to be a part of one of his epic masterpieces.

When you’re not filming, what helps you recharge and stay grounded?

Good friendships, sunshine, being outside, being active, watching other movies and shows, rooting for my Detroit sports teams, simple things. And just being grateful for my access to them.

tank top, choker and gloves VEX LATEX
jeans CALVIN KLEIN

TEAM CREDITS:

talent NOAH LALONDE
photography GABRIEL PEREZ SILVA at The Only Agency
styling DANIELA ROMERO at The Wall Group
hair and makeup TANYA ALIAN at A-Frame Agency
production SUNDAY STUDEOS
location Moxy + AC HOTEL DOWNTOWN Downtown LA
editor TIMOTEJ LETONJA
editorial director and interview JANA LETONJA