Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’s Tyler Cotton

Actor Tyler Cotton has had us under his spell since he first appeared as the socially awkward but lovable Melvin in Netflix’s Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. As the series comes to its epic conclusion, we caught up with Tyler to chat about his journey with Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, saying goodbye to his character, and played a fun game of one word cast association.

PC: The final season of Chilling Adventures of Sabrina just premiered. What can fans expect from this final chapter?
Tyler: The stakes have been raised this season, which I didn’t think was possible! The Eldridge terrors are terrifying and the biggest threat we’ve ever faced. For Melvin, we will see him come out of his shell a bit more and maybe explore some possible new love interests.

PC: When we’re first introduced to Melvin, he’s a very shy young man, but he comes into his own as the series goes on. What moment has had the biggest influence on his development?
Tyler: I think the biggest moments for Melvin have been all the losses he’s faced and how he’s overcome them. First, he lost his life (later being brought back by Sabrina), then he lost Dorcas, and he also lost Elspeth.

PC: Melvin was originally only supposed to be in one episode, but his arc continued to grow and grow. As an actor, how do you adjust and prepare for that?
Tyler: With each script, you get to learn something new about the character, so there isn’t a huge adjustment. I had already done so much research on the world, and then it was just the excitement about what the writers were going to give me and what situations they were gonna put Melvin in!

PC: Having played Melvin since Part 2, what’s been the biggest lesson he’s taught you?
Tyler: Overcoming fear and loss. We see Melvin really put through the wringer. Like I said earlier, he died and lost two very important people in his life. He’s had to overcome great fear and pain, and I think that’s something that is really hard to do.

PC: As you close this chapter in your career, what will you remember most from this experience?
Tyler: The laughter! We all had so much fun on and off of set, and that is something I will never forget.

PC: You’ve teased in other interviews that you’re starting to write your own projects. How has writing made you a stronger actor and vice versa?
Tyler: I think a lot of the time the writers have to know the characters better than anyone, so for me, it’s just helped to really dive into and understand characters.

One Word Cast Association

PC: Kiernan Shipka?
Tyler: Hardworking.

PC: Ross Lynch?
Tyler: Chill.

PC: Gavin Leatherwood?
Tyler: Charming.

PC: Lucy Davis?
Tyler: Warmhearted.

PC: Chance Perdomo?
Tyler: Energetic.

PC: Michelle Gomez?
Tyler: Wild.

PC: Jaz Sinclair?
Tyler: Loving.

PC: Tati Gabrielle?
Tyler: Empowering.

PC: Miranda Otto?
Tyler: Powerful.

PC: Lachlan Watson?
Tyler: Sunny.

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

Photo Credit: The Portrait Sessions