Exclusive Interview: Kira Kosarin, Jack Griffo, and Maya Le Clark Talk ‘The Thundermans: Undercover’

New mission, same super family! Kira Kosarin, Jack Griffo, and Maya Le Clark are back as The Thundermans: Undercover kicks off a thrilling new chapter. Whether you’ve been following the Thundermans from the start, joined in for The Thundermans Return, or are just stepping into the Thunder-verse, you’re in for a super-powered adventure.

In this all-new spin-off, grown-up twins Phoebe (Kosarin) and Max (Griffo), along with their little sister Chloe (Le Clark), take on double lives, triple the hijinks, and all the thunder as they go undercover in the seaside town of Secret Shores. What starts as a mission to handle a new threat turns into a long-term stay, forcing the squabbling siblings to navigate not just villains, but also their new role as Chloe’s guardians. With high-stakes action, laugh-out-loud moments, and the heart of the original, The Thundermans: Undercover proves that life is never truly normal when you’re part of a family of superheroes.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Kira, Jack, and Maya about stepping back into their iconic roles, the excitement of expanding the Thunder-verse, and what fans can expect from The Thundermans: Undercover. They shared insights on the new dynamics, behind-the-scenes moments, and how this next chapter raises the stakes while staying true to the heart of the beloved franchise.

PC: Kira, with this spin-off, you all have the freedom to take the story in new directions, but I know it was really important to you to honor the original fans with the film. How does the show balance nostalgia for longtime fans while also bringing in a new audience?
Kira: That’s a great question. You’re absolutely right—it was the same challenge we faced with the movie. How do we make this feel like the original Thundermans while also introducing something fresh, exciting, and worthy of continuing the franchise beyond just nostalgia? We tried to strike that balance in a few ways.

Throughout filming, we kept saying, “Thundermans, but beach. Thundermans, but beach.” Moving to a new location gave us a lot of fun opportunities in terms of the visual palette and characters.

We also have a couple of new series regulars playing Chloe’s friends, now that she’s all grown up, which brings new energy to the show. At the same time, we have plenty of guest stars from the original series—Mom, dad, and the other siblings pop in. And, of course, Max, Phoebe, and Chloe are still very much Max, Phoebe, and Chloe. We really worked to maintain that balance, keeping the essence of the original show while adding exciting new twists, turns, and elements. I’m really pleased with how it came together, and I hope fans are too.

PC: They will be. Maya, with the success of the film, this spin-off was greenlit. What was it like getting the call to step back into Chloe’s shoes? Was there a particular aspect of the character you were most excited to explore again?
Maya: It was really exciting because I was on the show when I was three, and we hadn’t fully developed my character yet. Coming back as a teenager is so much more fun because I get to grow with her. She’s sassy and really independent, and it was exciting to figure out who she was going to be in the spin-off.

PC: Jack, you were an executive producer on both the film and now the spin-off. How different are those experiences? Has working behind the camera given you a new perspective on your character?
Jack: Absolutely. Those experiences are definitely different. The movie was a short stint to see how it would go and whether the chemistry was still there—and sure enough, it was. We all love each other and were excited to come back for the film. After its success, I got to reprise my role as executive producer alongside Kira for the spin-off, which allowed us to see everything from a new perspective.

I remember after doing around 100 episodes of the original show, we had a good understanding of what it takes to produce an episode, and we wanted to have a say in the process—but at the time, we were just actors. As actors, you fit into a very specific role on set. Coming into this series, we really got to immerse ourselves in these episodes in a way we couldn’t with the movie. We spent thirteen weeks in Vancouver, shooting twenty-six episodes—two per week—which definitely influenced how we approached our characters.

I learned so much from this experience. I saw it as an opportunity to grow, and I’m really grateful for it. It was an incredible experience.

PC: You’re all building on the legacy of this beloved franchise. Kira, we’re also going to see you in the director’s chair this season—congratulations, by the way! Were there any techniques or insights you gained as an actor that you wanted to bring into directing? What was it like collaborating with your Thundermans family in this capacity?
Kira: It was incredible. Over the course of the original show, we worked with so many directors, and with each one, you learn something—what you love working with as an actor and what you don’t. My goal as a director was to take the best pieces from my favorite directors and blend them with my own unique perspective and approach.

Getting to direct Jack and Maya in my first episode was a huge advantage because I know them so well—I know their strengths, what they’re capable of, and how to collaborate with them in that capacity. It gave me a running start as a director, and the experience was amazing. I’m so grateful that my first directing gig was on this show. I’ve totally caught the bug, and I can’t wait to do more. I’m really proud of the episode and excited for people to see it!

PC: I can’t wait to see it. Maya, with the spin-off, we get to see new cast members join the Thundermans universe, especially in storylines connected to your character. What was it like building these new dynamics? What can you tease about how these characters will help shape Chloe’s journey?
Maya: It was so much fun because I had never worked with people my age on the show before. In the spin-off, they play my best friends, and outside of the show, we all became best friends too. As for what I can tease…I’m not sure what I can say!

PC: Jack, one of the most interesting things about television is how the writers’ room often shapes a character’s personality and storyline based on the actor portraying them. As you stepped back into this character’s shoes, did you notice any ways the writers adapted his journey to reflect your own growth as a person and storyteller? Was there anything specific you wanted to make sure was part of his arc this time around?
Jack: That’s a really well-thought-out question. We did so much as kids that by years two, three, and four of the original show, the showrunners really began to understand us—not just as characters but as young adults—so they were able to write for us in a way that felt natural. This time around, that’s only increased. Kira and I know who we are much more than we did when we were kids. Of course, you grow up, you become adults, and you figure out who you are in the world and what you want. The lines between Kira and Phoebe, and Max and me, have blurred—it’s a very symbiotic relationship we have with our characters.

As for the second part of your question, when the spin-off first came up, we didn’t know what the storyline would look like. But right from the beginning, the showrunners nailed it. They pitched the idea of Max and Phoebe moving to a new town for an undercover mission while also bringing Chloe along to give her a more normal life. It mirrors what happened in the original series, when we moved from Metroburg to Hiddenville for the same reason. This time, Max and Phoebe are stepping into more of a parental role as Chloe’s guardians, which felt like the perfect evolution for where we are now. It still keeps things young, fun, and contemporary while reflecting our growth. I’m absolutely thrilled with it.

By midseason, we really hit our stride. A lot of shows spend their first season figuring things out, but because we had all that history from the original series and the movie, we were ahead of the game. I think fans will really enjoy what we’ve done, and I hope we get to do more!

Make sure to follow Kira (Instagram), Maya (Instagram), and Jack (Instagram). New episodes of The Thundermans: Undercover drop every Wednesday at 7/6c on Nickelodeon.