Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’s Nelson Leis

Nelson Leis is a dynamic performer who’s brought all our favorite characters to life on the stage and screen in projects including When Calls the Heart, Bates Motel, The Jim, Arrow, and Fringe. Currently, he can be seen starring opposite Kiernan Shipka, Ross Lynch, and Gavin Leatherwood in Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Pop Culturalist caught up with Nelson to chat about his character, the series, and his career.

Career

PC: You’re an actor, producer, and writer. How did you discover your passion for the arts? Is there one you naturally gravitate towards?
Nelson: The exposure to acting and the arts came through my mom. Acting was something she pursued when she was younger. Even though she didn’t go down the path of pursuing a career as a performer, to this day she’s involved with theatre to some degree, whether it’s sitting on advisory boards or volunteering for front of house. She loves the arts.

I made my film debut when I was four in a short film that she was acting in. My task in the scene was to play with a Tonka truck, which I apparently did expertly.

I definitely gravitate towards acting. That aspect of storytelling has always been most exciting to me—that connection and exchange with fellow actors, between action and cut. It’s electric.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career
Nelson: Again, I think it starts with my mom. The fact that from day one she was encouraging of any step I took as an actor had a bigger effect than I realized; the constancy of that support can’t be underestimated. Equally, what can’t be underestimated are the roadblocks. I’m a fairly tenacious guy, so any naysayers were fuel for my fire. I put my head down and plowed forward.

In terms of actors who have inspired me, it’s more the case of a growing list over the years. I think the first person was Michael J. Fox, who I met when I was ten. It was that seminal moment of realizing the guy on the screen was a real person and that someone could make a life of acting.

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina

PC: When we were introduced to Beelzebub in Part 2, he was quickly banished to hell, but he’s back in a big way for Part 3. Did anything surprise you about his journey? Did the preparation change from Part 2 into Part 3?
Nelson: In Part 3, I had the opportunity to explore Beelzebub on his home turf, the infernal palace in Pandemonium. In that realm he’s part of the aristocracy, which is a comfort zone for him, so he’s reveling in his influence—that was an exciting dynamic to lean into. It was tremendous fun to be part of the power struggles in that setting. Part of the preparation for that arc was reading about the royal courts of various monarchies throughout history.

PC: What can you tease about his journey in Part 3? Where would you like to see his storyline head in Part 4?
Nelson: This season you’ll get to see Beelzebub deeply invested in the outcome of who sits on the throne of hell. He’s clearly biased towards the horse that he’s got in the race. That lust for power is pretty delicious to explore—so in terms of Beelzebub’s future, whatever the outcome and repercussions of his avarice, I’m happy to dive into.

PC: Which of his relationships has been your favorite to explore and why?
Nelson: Each relationship has its unique joys, truly. Beelzebub has been a thorn in the side of most of his counterparts, but what’s particularly fun to experience is Madam Satan’s disdain. I think there’s a mutual irritation between those two, so for me acting-wise, it’s a pleasure to be on the receiving end of Michelle Gomez’s leveling gaze.

PC: Having joined the cast in Part 2, how familiar were you with the series? What’s been the biggest takeaway from this experience?
Nelson: When I landed the part, the series hadn’t dropped on Netflix yet. I was vaguely familiar with the previous sitcom version but was aware that this new version would be quite different. This has been my first major recurring role, and one of the gifts from that is the opportunity to explore a character over the arc of a season. The ultimate gift, however, is to be working with quality people, which was the case on Sabrina. From day one, the cast and crew were welcoming and generous and invested in the story. You can’t beat that.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Nelson: Rust Valley Restorers on Netflix

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Nelson: Christmas Vacation

PC: Favorite book?
Nelson: Too many…The War of Art by Steven Pressfield, The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin, Blink by Malcolm Gladwell, to name a few

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Nelson: True West

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Nelson: Daniel Ceasar

PC: Who would play you in the story of your life?
Nelson: Ethan Hawke

To keep up with Nelson, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Binge-watch Season 3 of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina on Netflilx today.

Photo Credit: Soulfire Studios