Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Nico Tortorella About The Walking Dead: World Beyond

Nico Tortorella has brought transformative stories to life on the screen for over a decade, ranging from projects like Make It or Break It to The Following, but they’re best known for their two latest projects: Younger and The Walking Dead: World Beyond.

Pop Culturalist spoke with Nico about The Walking Dead: World Beyond, portraying a masculine gay superhero on the screen that doesn’t lean into stereotypes and reframes that archetype, and why it’s vital to the queer experience. Plus, they shared some parting words to their character Josh from Younger.

PC: Throughout your career, you’ve done a fantastic job choosing projects that you want to go out for. What was it about World Beyond and this character, in particular, that stood out to you?
Nico: I didn’t really know much about this project when I got the call from Matt Negrete and Scott Gimple. All I knew about Felix was that he was queer…and vegetarian. [laughs] I was like, “Ooh, interesting.” I sat on a call with them for a while to talk about the world, the universe, and the importance of the show, and seeing it ten years later in a new, fresh way.

It was also in the middle of the Trump era and the political and social landscape was tumultuous, to say the least. I was looking for a vehicle that I could really use to tell a story that felt transformative. Felix was that from the get-go.

Then, there was the Walking Dead universe, which is iconic in nature. It’s changed the landscape of television and all the people that were involved, so it was a no-brainer.

PC: This is your first major venture into the sci-fi realm. Has anything surprised you about the experience? What has that transition been like?
Nico: More than anything, I realized how much I love the action of it all, the fighting of it all. I have a dance and musical theater background, so the choreo and physicality is something that I have fallen in love with. I’m already looking for and figuring out what the next job is. Hopefully, that will be part of it.

PC: You’ve shared on social media that this project has changed your life. What’s been the biggest lesson you’ve learned about yourself, both personally and professionally, working on World Beyond?
Nico: Being on this show forces you to examine the traumas of human beings and survival as its core. You’re not only fighting for your life, but also for the lives of the people that you love the most. It puts it right in front of your face. From shooting the first season of the show in COVID to going right back into the second season as the pandemic has been phasing out—at least over here—it’s put so much into perspective on my own priorities, my own voice, and my own position, not only in the industry and in the arts, but also in my own position in my family, in my marriage, my future children, and the meaning behind all of this. What is it all for? I couldn’t have asked for a more transformative experience.

PC: Speaking of your voice, you’ve talked in the past about how this character is a huge step in the right direction in terms of representation. What has it meant to you as an actor to be able to push these inclusive storylines forward?
Nico: It’s everything. To see a masculine gay superhero on television that doesn’t lean into stereotypes and reframes that archetype is vital to the queer experience in terms of representation. I’m thrilled to have brought Felix to life in a world that also includes so many different people from so many different walks of life. This truly is an ensemble show and lifts up so many different voices and faces. It’s been an honor to be a part of.

PC: You’ve also said in the past that this role has challenged you both physically and emotionally. Which was more challenging?
Nico: Depends on the day, for real. Depends on the day. I don’t think I can really compare the two. We’ve all been really challenged these last couple of years. I have, thankfully, had an outlet in my art to channel it into, so I’m forever grateful for that.

PC: As we look ahead to season two, where do you want to see Felix’s storyline head?
Nico: All of the characters in The Walking Dead universe are constantly evolving, growing, and finding new parts of themselves. I think already in this first season, Felix has been on a journey of self-love, self-respect, and self-appreciation in order to care for the people that he loves more deeply. I’m excited for him to find that balance a little better.

PC: Which of Felix’s relationship has been your favorite to explore and why?
Nico: In Season 1, I would say Felix’s relationship with the girls, Hope and Iris. He’s a father figure to both of them, and all the kids in general. Then, obviously with the Will character, which we got a glimpse of this first season. The second season leans into that relationship a lot heavier, which has been really, really rewarding. Jelani Alladin, who plays Will, is such a pleasure and professional. I adore him as a person and an actor. It’s been great to bring that relationship to life.

PC: In addition to World Beyond, you’ve also spent the last six years starring in Younger.

Nico: Seven.

PC: Seven! As the series gets ready to wrap up, if you could share any parting words with Josh, what would they be?

Nico: I love you, dude. I love you, Josh. I miss you already. I’m going to get emotional even talking about this because this is the final week, the last episode. I wish we got to see more of him this season. This season was a really difficult one for all of us shooting in New York City in the middle of a pandemic. It’s a love letter to the city and its ability to survive no matter what. With the landscape of television being so vast, we’re living in a time where there are so many unknowns. Who knows what can happen! We could get more of Josh or more of these characters and Younger in the future. I’m here for it!

To keep up with Nico, follow them on Instagram. RLJE Films will release The Walking Dead: World Beyond Season 1 on DVD and Blu-ray on June 15th.