Exclusive Interview: Peder Lindell Talks ‘Descendants: The Rise of Red,’ Joining the Disney Family, and More

Peder Lindell is an emerging star with an undeniable knack for transforming into any character. From starring in independent shorts to now joining the Disney family, Peder’s career is on a meteoric rise.

Soon, the talented youngster will be seen in his breakout role as Morgie in Disney’s Descendants: The Rise of Red. The film follows Red (Kylie Cantrall), the rebellious daughter of the Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora), and Chloe (Malia Baker), Cinderella’s perfectionist daughter. When the tyrannical Queen of Hearts incites a coup against Auradon, polar opposites Red and Chloe must join forces and travel back in time to undo the traumatic event that set Red’s mother down her villainous path. Peder shines as Morgie, the son of Morgana le Fay.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Peder about Descendants: The Rise of Red, how he celebrated joining the Disney family, his preparation, and more.

PC: In Descendants: The Rise of Red, Red gets the opportunity to travel back in time to the place where all her dreams will come true. In your own life, what was the moment when you discovered your passion for storytelling and knew this was the path for you?
Peder: There were a bunch of factors that went into it. There wasn’t one exact moment, but perhaps, a bunch of moments. My childhood was acting. I grew up in the theater and on stage. I started acting professionally when I was ten or eleven, but I did theater camps and was in touring choirs, which inspired that, I suppose.

But once I was acting professionally, I was doing something like eight shows a week, trying to balance school at the same time. It was weird. This was my life. I never thought twice about it or thought it might be insane at some points. I just loved it. I loved the people. I loved the feeling of being on stage and sharing a story, and watching people cry or laugh or feel something. That was special, especially at a young age. Being able to make a contribution in that way felt important. So I stuck with it. Here I am.

PC: Spoken like a true artist. When this project came across your desk, you didn’t know it was for Disney or this franchise. What was it about the sides that initially spoke to you and made you want to audition for it?
Peder: It was fun. Come on, the guy’s name is Morgie. I was immediately like, “What’s going on here?” He’s talking to Ulyana. Instantly, I was envisioning who this character was. I hopped in front of the camera and read with my mom. My mom read for Ulyana, and that was really funny. I’m like this gremlin-y character, talking in this particular voice. I was like, “This is who Morgie is. I’m going to go with it.” They were interested! Fast forward a few weeks and a callback, and I got the part. It was so, so special.

PC: Being a part of the Disney family is such a huge deal, especially for an emerging talent like yourself. How did you celebrate the news that you landed the role? How are you feeling days ahead of the release?
Peder: I’m feeling incredible on both ends—two years apart. When I got the role, my agent at the time called me into the agency. I was shocked. I was crying and ecstatic. It was a wave of emotions. I called my parents. They were so happy. My sister freaked out because she and I watched these movies when we were younger. We were fans. It was so special. Now we’re a few weeks until the movie is out. It feels surreal. I feel like I live in a magical Disney world sometimes.

PC: There’s so much buzz already surrounding the film. There are also so many incredible songs and numbers. What was that prep work like learning all the choreography and music, and how did that physicality allow you to tap into your character further?
Peder: We did Disney bootcamp. We came to set about two weeks earlier and started drilling all the dances. We had previously recorded the songs, but putting it all together is a completely different beast. It was like six to seven hours of rehearsals every day.

It was very rigorous and a bit of a workout at different points. But it was so much fun. I was discovering who Morgie was in relation to these other characters, which was so cool because you’re acting alongside actors who are incredible and amazing to work with. You feed off that energy. That collaboration process is by far one of the most fun aspects of working within a production.

PC: The cast has such great chemistry on screen. How were you all able to build that bond while filming?
Peder: All sorts of things. The first time I met everyone, there were lots of hugs. It felt like I had known them for ages. Everyone was so welcoming. A lot of us were at the same hotel, so it felt like dorms in a way where we’d run down the hall to watch a movie at Josh Colley’s place or hang out at Dara Reneé’s to talk or whatever. That was really cool. We had all these little moments. On weekends, we’d travel up to Atlanta. On Valentine’s Day, we did a Palentine’s Day. We had different fun moments where we got to be closer as a cast.

PC: This project feels like a full-circle moment for you, having gotten your start in theater. How did those experiences prepare you for this moment?
Peder: It prepared me immensely. Every experience I’ve had—good or bad—has influenced me in some way. I value the failures because they taught me to become who I am today. We can’t succeed without failure. When you audition, you get turned down almost all the time. But it’s the ones that you don’t that will change your life.

I grew up on stage. Musical theater has played a vital role in this production because this is a movie musical. It slightly blends the worlds between on stage and on screen because there is a little bit more allowance for theatricality, which was cool and very fun because you don’t often do that on screen. Usually, on screen, it’s a very different enigma.

PC: On screen, it’s more about the subtleties. On stage, it’s about being louder. I also appreciate the vast array of projects that you’ve worked on, from indie shorts to something as big as this. How different are those experiences? What is it about each that excites you as a creative?
Peder: They’re so different. Every experience is unique, and I value each one. It’s fun because you get to meet new people, travel to new places, and work on and tell new stories. That’s really special, especially when the story means something to you.

Whenever you meet someone new and you’re working with a cast that is talented and comes from different backgrounds, that’s really fun because you get to make new friends and build this family. A lot of the acting experience is very raw. You’re on display for a lot of people to watch, so you have to be very vulnerable. Being surrounded by people who understand that and are willing to be vulnerable with you is very special. It helps a lot and makes the process more fun.

PC: You moved to L.A. to pursue a career in this industry and now you’re a part of the Disney family. What would you tell your younger self?
Peder: I would tell my younger self to keep doing exactly what you’re doing. Continue to explore the world with wide eyes, take every opportunity that comes your way with a smile on your face, and be frickin’ excited for what’s to come.

PC: You really get to show off your talents in this film, from acting to dancing to singing. Is there one that comes more naturally to you? Is one more difficult?
Peder: I think I’m very much an actor and a singer before I am a dancer. I’m a dancer as well, but I don’t train consistently. I did a lot of dance in musical theater and have multiple years of dance experience, but it’s very different from a dancer who is training every day and for whom that is their profession. So, acting and singing are by far my origins. However, dancing definitely fulfills the trifecta.

PC: You killed the dancing. Have you gotten to see the final product yet? Is there a scene that you’re really excited for audiences to see when it comes out on July 12th?
Peder: You guys are going to like the tree scene. The funny thing about that scene is when we were shooting it, it was hilarious. They had me harnessed up in the tree, and the whole crew was out there. We had the rain machines going. It was really important that I didn’t get wet because I had to get over to the other soundstage to shoot a completely different scene. They were very tight on time that day. The trajectories weren’t working correctly, and it poured down on top of me in the first shot. I don’t know if this made the film or not—I don’t think it did because of continuity. I was just soaked! But it was one of the funniest experiences because it fit the character perfectly. I was getting drenched, Ulyana and the rest of them were down doing their thing, and I was stuck up in the tree getting soaked. That was really funny, and everyone was laughing because it was like I had just hopped out of a pool when I got done.

PC: What I love about Disney is that once you’re part of this family, you’re a part of it. Similar to your costar Dara, she’s been a part of different franchises. If you could be in another Disney franchise, which would it be and why?
Peder: I know exactly what franchise I would go into. I wonder if you know what I would say, but I don’t think you would. I would say Star Wars. Me and my lightsaber saving the whole world. I grew up a huge Star Wars fan, so that would be so special, even if I was a stormtrooper.

PC: When the film comes out, what do you hope audiences take away? This is also such an exciting time in your career. As you look ahead, what’s next for you? Is there a dream role?
Peder: I would love to be in an action movie like Mission Impossible or James Bond-esque. That would be really cool. A musical theater movie was at the top of my bucket list as well. I’m very surprised to have checked it off so quickly, but it’s a world that I’m super interested in. I love doing my own stunts. I love flying planes, scuba diving, and skydiving. I think perhaps it could be a world that I thrive in. But whatever comes my way, I’m excited to see what’s next.

To keep up with Peder, follow him on Instagram. Descendants: The Rise of Red premieres on July 12th on Disney+.

Photo Credit: Jack Orta