Exclusive Interview: Siena Agudong, Charlie Gillespie, and Drew Ray Tanner Talk ‘Sidelined 2: Intercepted,’ Finding Their Path, and Chasing Big Dreams

The game has officially changed in Sidelined 2: Intercepted, the next chapter that finds Dallas and Drayton trying to keep their relationship in play as they move through the pivotal transition from high school to college — a shift that brings new experiences, new people, and new challenges.

Siena Agudong and Noah Beck return as the story explores the growing pains of distance and independence, while Drew Ray Tanner is back as Dallas’s brother Nathan—beginning his own journey of rediscovering who he is when the person he’s always looked out for is out in the world on her own. And stepping into the mix is Charlie Gillespie as Skyler—a new face whose connection with Dallas arrives at a moment when her heart is asking new questions.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to sit down with Siena Agudong, Charlie Gillespie, and Drew Ray Tanner to dive into the honesty behind their performances—from Siena channeling the real anxieties of making big life choices, to Charlie’s excitement about stepping into a role that lets him sing and possibly stir up Dallas’s heart, to Drew reflecting on rediscovering dreams you thought you left behind (including a recurring football dream that still keeps him thinking). They also shared the personal relationships that anchor them when everything around them is shifting—the same kind of grounding connection audiences will see on screen.

PC: Siena, there’s such a relatability to your character’s journey in this film—she’s being pulled in a million directions, trying to choose between the life she imagined and the path less traveled. Your work always comes from such a genuine, grounded place. What in your own life did you draw from to bring both the confidence and vulnerability of this character to the screen? And what do you hope audiences take away from her journey after they see it?
Siena: That’s such a beautiful question. I didn’t have to tap very deep, because one of the most special things about filming this movie is how much of myself I see in Dallas. I hope audiences feel like they can see themselves in her too. What she’s going through is that constant push and pull you experience while growing up—always checking in with yourself to see if your choices still align with your values and who you’re becoming.

When you move from high school to college, you’re thrown into a completely new world with new people and new experiences, and that can be both exciting and overwhelming. I went through all of that—I’m still in school—so the “What the heck am I doing? What do I want?” feeling is very familiar to me. So it means a lot to hear that it comes across as genuine, because it truly came from a real place in my own life.

PC: I feel like so many audience members will see themselves reflected in your performance and in this character’s journey. Charlie, any project where we get to see you sing, I’m all in for. There’s such a lived-in authenticity to your performance—was that what initially drew you to this role? What was it about this character that spoke to you? And while we’re at it, when are we getting some original music from you?
Charlie: Hopefully very soon—we’re working on it! I grew up with musicals. They’re my passion. Anytime my family was in the car, even if it was just a quick drive, we’d put on a musical in the little TV to entertain ourselves and maybe distract our parents a bit less. Singing and playing together was just part of who we were. So being able to bring that into a role like this is such a privilege.

That was a huge part of what drew me in. I was like, “Wait, I get to go to Vancouver and sing two songs in a movie? This is the dream—yes, please!” And hearing you say you’re excited to see me do that again is such a huge compliment. Thank you.

And as for the third part of your question—who hasn’t fallen for someone you’re not supposed to be with? He’s trying. He wants to be with her, and even though there’s the whole coworker situation—and the boyfriend situation—he does his best with what he knows, which is expressing himself through words and through music. Will it work? We’ll have to see. But getting to bring all of that into a movie again? I’m just really grateful. I feel blessed.

PC: That music video sequence in this film is one of my favorites across both movies.
Charlie: She kills it, doesn’t she? Every time! Don’t you want to hear her sing in one of these?
Siena: Oh my god. [laughs]

PC: They need to release that scene as a clip on YouTube or social media.
Charlie: I think that’s the plan! I believe they’re going to release it afterward as a music video, along with a few scenes from the film.

PC: Drew, your character’s journey serves as such a beautiful reminder that it’s never too late to try something new or rekindle a dream you once set aside. How did you prepare to step back into his shoes — especially now that he’s in such a different place in his life? And what’s something you wish you could revisit or hope to explore in the future?
Drew: What do I wish I could revisit? To this day, I still have this recurring dream—maybe once a year—about playing football again, about suiting up. And it’s always the same. I’m at the field, my coaches are about to put me in, and then I look down and realize my cleats or my helmet is missing. So in the dream, I’m sprinting back home to grab my equipment, and right before I make it back and actually get into the game…I wake up. I never get on the field again.

I quit football a little sooner than I would have liked, and if I could revisit that, even just once more, I would love to. That’s the dream.

Charlie: That’s a movie dream. I can’t believe you’re having those.

Drew: Once a year, without fail.

PC: Maybe we’ll see that in the third film. I’ve got one final quick question for all of you. In the biggest moments, Dallas and Drayton always want each other by their side. Who is the person you always hope is beside you when life’s biggest moments unfold?
Drew: You’ve got the greatest questions. These are really great, deep questions.

Siena: I’ll throw it out there—and I know she’s watching because she’s in the other room—my sister.

Drew: Your sister is here?

Siena: Oh yeah, my sister’s here! We always walk this path together.

Charlie: It’s going to sound like I’m copying her, but I was going to say the same thing. My sister. Her support—and the fact that she’s always there—has grounded me my whole life.

Drew: I would say their sisters too. [laughs] I’ve got some great ones in my life. They know who they are. Some hometown friends definitely need to be there. And my mom.

Make sure to follow Siena (Instagram), Charlie (Instagram), and Drew (Instagram). Stream Sidelined 2: Intercepted on Tubi.