Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with The Orville’s Kai Wener

Kai Wener’s star is shining bright. At only ten-years-old, he’s delivering an out of this world performance in his first major role on Seth MacFarlane’s breakout sci-fi dramedy, The Orville. He’s learning a lot from the experience and even though he’s one of the youngest on set, he’s being held to the same expectations as the rest of his cast. Pop Culturalist spoke with this future leading man about season two of The Orville.

PC: For readers who may not be familiar with the series, tell us about The Orville, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Kai: Created by Seth MacFarlane for FOX TV, it is a sci-fi show that takes place 400 years into the future about a crew and their families that live on a spaceship called The Orville. I play a character by the name of Ty Finn, who lives on The Orville and is the son of the ship’s head medical science doctor, Dr. Claire Finn, played by Penny Johnson Jerald. Ty was introduced last year in season one and is back this year as a recurring role in season two. Ty is your typical kid that bugs his older brother, Marcus Finn, played by BJ Tanner. He enjoys exploring the ship and loves his mother. Oh yeah, and Ty is best friends with an artificial life-form named Isaac, played by Mark Jackson.

PC: It’s your first big TV role. What’s been the most surprising part about the experience? What’s been the most challenging?
Kai: I think the most surprising part about this experience has been how nice and welcoming everyone has been on the show. I get to work with some really great experienced actors, like the beautiful Adrianne Palicki, who I already was a fan of from Marvel’s Agents of Shield; Scott Grimes, who I know started off as a child actor like me; and directors like Jon Cassar, who is legendary when it comes to TV shows with action. Everyone is so helpful and takes time to include me and share their knowledge with me.

Of course, the most pleasant surprise was how much fun I get to have with my on-screen family members, Miss Penny Johnson Jerald, BJ Tanner, and Mark Jackson. We are definitely the perfect “#FinnFamily”.

I would say the most challenging thing about being on The Orville is balancing filming and school work. I still go to public school and try my best to hang out with friends and be involved with school clubs. Luckily, I’ve had some great teachers at my school and on set that help me coordinate all of my school work and make learning fun!

PC: How has Ty evolved since season one? What’s ahead for him?
Kai: Ty has definitely grown closer to Isaac since last season. Even though Isaac is an artificial life form, Ty doesn’t see him as different and loves having him around the Finn family. We are going to see Ty learn so much from Isaac, too; for starters, we’ve already seen Ty’s piano lessons with Isaac. I don’t want to say that Ty is a prodigy or anything, but he’s going to become really good at playing classical piano. Other than that, you’ll just have to tune in to see what’s ahead, though I will say there will be another adventure for Ty that will BLOW your mind!

PC: When The Orville premiered, it was the most-viewed drama debut since Empire. Did that add any extra pressure heading into season two?
Kai: When my parents told me that news, it made me so happy because I know how successful Empire was for FOX. Going into season two, I think I was just so excited to see my friends from the cast and crew again that I didn’t even think about it, but by the time I began filming the seventh episode, the pressure definitely began setting in. The thing that helped though was the great leadership I felt from Mr. MacFarlane and Mr. Jon Cassar. Seeing them work and hearing what they had in mind for the show would make anyone feel confident.

PC: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned being on the set of The Orville?
Kai: Mr. Seth MacFarlane has definitely taught me how to be a professional and to always give 100%. What people may not see is that he cares so much about this show and is always involved when we film to make sure that we give our best for the fans with every take. Since my first day, Mr. MacFarlane has always had the same expectations for me as he does for the whole cast even though I’m a kid. Being able to work with him has showed me that if I am going to be successful in this industry, I have to be committed and be able to adjust to the challenges of making a TV show, like last minute script changes, long days on set, or juggling filming and schoolwork.

PC: If you could write Ty a storyline, what would it be?
Kai: You know, I’ve always thought a story about Ty somehow taking command of The Orville would be super cool, but I would also love to see a story about Mr. MacFarlane’s character, Captain Ed Mercer, having to babysit Ty and some of the other kids on the ship…maybe one of those dream scenes where he wakes up perspiring. [laughs] Mr. MacFarlane’s character as a captain is so serious most of the time, but in real life, he is hilarious. I would love for the world to see how much fun he would be trying to control us crazy kids!

Career Questions

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Kai: My parents have told me that I was full of personality as a toddler. I would run around the house singing and re-creating commercials that I had memorized from TV. This led to auditioning in front of casting directors and booking print, national commercials, and TV shows. Right now at ten-years-old, I’m inspired by creative people that write amazing scripts and create roles that I can audition for and bring to life!

PC: What is your dream role?
Kai: Hands down, my dream role would be to play Miles Morales from the Spider-Man comic books. I have been speaking this into existence for a long time because Miles Morales and I have so much in common! We are both multi-ethnic, both of our fathers are police officers, we both admire the original Spider-Man, and are both unique by choice. Not to mention, I think I definitely resemble him! I have been a fan of Miles Morales since I started reading at five-years-old and a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since I started watching movies! I think it’s only a matter of time until the MCU incorporates Miles into their movies, and when they do, fingers crossed, I’ll get the opportunity to read for it!

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Kai: Dr. Pimple Popper

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Kai: Happy Gilmore

PC: Favorite book?
Kai: Diary of a Wimpy Kid

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Kai: The Greatest Showman

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Kai: Rick Astley’s “Never Gonna Give You Up”

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Kai: Nickelodeon’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

PC: Hidden talent?
Kai: I’m a classical pianist but in the beginner stages.

Keep up with Kai by following him on Twitter and Instagram, and catch The Orville every Thursday at 9/8c.

Photo Credit: Lil’ Toes Photography