Pop-Culturalist.com

Brady Noon, Swayam Bhatia, and Naveen Paddock are three of the stars of The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers.

After winning back the Mighty Ducks team name last year, our squad-with-heart and their coach Alex Morrow (Lauren Graham) take to the road to attend an intense summer hockey institute in California run by charming yet hardcore former NHL player, Colin Cole (Josh Duhamel). It’s a place for kids to get excellent at hockey — without school getting in the way. As our Ducks try to survive in this super-competitive environment, they’re faced with the question: Can you win summer?

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Brady, Sway, and Naveen about The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers, the show’s success, and more!

PC: Brady, I wanted to start with you. You were a massive fan of Mighty Ducks growing up, and the series does such a great job of honoring the films while also introducing something new to audiences. Having been such a huge fan, was there a moment in Season 1 where you had to pinch yourself as you became a Duck?
Brady: Definitely when we met the original Ducks and they came out on the ice. We got to hang out with them for a few days. That was a dream come true. Being able to skate with them was really cool.

PC: Naveen, you’re joining the series for Season 2. What should audiences know about Jace? What was it like working with Josh as you brought this complicated father-son relationship to life?
Naveen: Jace isn’t really into hockey at the beginning of the season because it feels like it’s been forced upon him by his dad played by Josh. But as the season goes on and he becomes a Duck, he finally accepts that he does love hockey, just in a different way than his dad intended.

PC: Sway, you’ve said in the past that your goal as a storyteller is to fight for female empowerment and to inspire future generations, especially young girls of color who watch this show. What has it meant to you to play a character like Sofi and see the response you’ve seen on social media?
Sway: It definitely means a lot. I’m super honored to be able to play such an empowering role like Sofi. Not only has she inspired the fans, she’s also inspired me. I’ve brought things I’ve learned from playing her into my own life. That’s what’s really special about this role—knowing that kids are going to be empowered by Sofi, especially like you said, young girls of color. I feel like they’re able to look up to Sofi and know that they can do whatever they want, no matter what it is.

PC: There are so many fun cameos in Season 1. If you could have a former Duck appear on the show, who’s at the top of each of your lists?
Sway: I know mine is Kenan Thompson. I absolutely love SNL. I actually got to meet him when I was an extra on the show, but I’d love to meet him again and actually be able to work with him because I’ve heard so many amazing things. He was amazing hosting the Emmys. He has such an amazing personality and he’s so humble.

Brady: Mine is Joshua Jackson. I feel like Evan is a re-imagining of Charlie Conway. It would be cool for us to collide.

Naveen: I agree with Brady. I think Charlie Conway would be a crazy, crazy appearance. That would definitely be my dream.

PC: In Season 2, we’re going to see Jace and Sofi bond over the fact that they feel pressured by their parents, which creates this really fun dynamic between all three of your characters. What was that collaboration like?
Naveen: It was great. It was really exciting because we got to spend all these scenes together.

Sway: I completely agree with what you said. What’s really cool is that I get to work with such amazing actors. Brady and Naveen are such great scene partners. That’s really important when it comes to the scenes that we do because a lot of scenes are serious. We really do need a good scene partner when it comes to those serious moments. You have to have someone there who makes you laugh. That’s important, so working with these guys is such a blessing. I’m honored to be a part of it.

Make sure to follow Brady (Instagram), Naveen (Instagram), and Sway (Instagram). Season 2 of The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers is airing now on Disney+.