Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with This Is Us’ Parker Bates

Since its premiere, This Is Us has consistently been tugging heartstrings and making viewers cry each week it airs. Not only does it make viewers feel like they are part of the Pearson family (is Jack Pearson the most perfect dad, or what?!), but also it is full of a bevy of actors who bring the Pearsons to life.

Parker Bates is one of the talented young actors who portray the childhood versions of the Big Three. As young Kevin, Parker really captures Kevin’s complexities among his siblings and with his parents. We were able to chat with Parker about what it’s like to be on a hit TV show and what’s coming up for him.

PC: What can fans expect from this season of This Is Us?
Parker: So much more of the story! I can’t say what will happen, but I can say what I would want to see more of. I want to see more of Jack and Rebecca and more of young Kevin and Sophie! What can I say, I’m a romantic!

PC: You’re one of three actors portraying one character. What is that like—sharing a character with other people? What’s the process like?
Parker: We don’t get to work together often since we are all on different sets because of the different time periods. When I am watching the show, however, I pay close attention to Logan and Justin’s scenes so that I can put as much of older Kevin into younger Kevin as possible.


PC: You’re also part of a different set of three with The Big Three. How did you guys work on creating that sibling dynamic?
Parker: The casting was on point, and the chemistry was just natural between us. Now the three of us are just like brothers and sister! We are getting to do this amazing thing together, and it’s really made us close.


PC: What initially drew you to this project?
Parker: The audition did. I actually had no idea what the show was until a few days after I booked it. I started seeing it on billboards and bus stop benches! That’s when I knew this was going to be big!


PC: When you look back at the last three seasons, what has been your favorite part and why?
Parker: Being a Pearson! My favorite moment has to be celebrating with everyone at the Emmys! I still can’t believe I got to go and that I am only eleven! It was like a dream, but my favorite episode I’ve filmed has to be the scene where Little Kevin cooks for Jack and Rebecca’s anniversary! I wonder if the writers know that I’m an aspiring chef? If not, that was kind of ironic.

PC: What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned being a part of this cast?
Parker: The importance of every single person on the crew! Our show is so massive and has so many moving parts that we need two whole teams to make it happen. We film an episode in ten days, so imagine how hard all of those people are working behind the scenes!

PC: Besides This Is Us, do you have any upcoming projects that you can chat about?
Parker: I have a new movie coming out called Magic Max; I play the lead, Tim. It should be out around my birthday next year (March 1). I just filmed an episode of Tangled: The Series that I’m super excited about. I also have a top-secret movie coming up that I can’t talk about just yet.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Parker: Teen Titans Go!

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Parker: Ferdinand

PC: Favorite book?
Parker: The Land of Beyond Belief by Mark Cramer and Kathryn Dahlstrom

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

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Parker: Andy Grammer

PC: Last Show you binge-watched?
Parker: 9-1-1

PC: Hidden talent?
Parker: I’m a chef! When I grow up, I want to be a chef and an actor, or maybe an actor who plays a chef! You can see some of my cooking videos on my Instagram page.

Make sure to follow Parker on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, and check out This Is Us every Tuesday at 9/8c on NBC.

Photo Credit: Amanda Ramon // Stylist: Lisa Cameron // Groomer: Emily Zempel