Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Zac and Mia’s Kian Lawley

Actor and executive producer Kian Lawley is back as the title character in season two of Zac and Mia. Based on the novel by A.J. Betts, Zac and Mia tells the story of two teens battling cancer, who in the real world would have nothing in common, but behind the walls of the same hospital form an unbreakable bond.

When we last left Zac, his doctor had given him the good news that he was in remission and was cleared to go home. As season two picks up, we’ll find Zac attempting to discover his new “normal”.

Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Kian about what’s ahead, and if you thought he gave an Emmy-award winning performance in season one, well, buckle up for what’s in store.

PC: What can fans expect with season two of Zac and Mia?
Kian: There are a bunch of ups and downs relationship-wise, friendship-wise, and health-wise. But in season two, we rekindle our love and focus more on that while she’s in the hospital and I’m in remission at home. It’s a huge rollercoaster.

PC: Like you said, this season focuses on Zac in remission and his struggle to find his new “normal”, which really isn’t depicted a lot in mainstream media. How did you prepare for that challenge?
Kian: Yeah! A lot of movies dealing with an issue like this will focus on the health risk and the time spent in the hospital, but in season two of our show, it’s about Zac in remission and trying to live a “normal” life, cancer-free. He isn’t in the clear, but he wants to go back to living a normal life, whether that’s surfing, going to a friend’s house, you name it. His parents are very strict, though, so it’s hard for him because he wants to live his own life. I felt Zac’s pain when my parents were trying to hold me back from doing what I wanted, but I knew it was all in love.

PC: The first season was really well-received. What pressures, if any, does that add for you as an actor and an executive producer?
Kian: It didn’t add too much, to be honest. I know who Zac is inside and out. I definitely knew we had to live up to how well it did and how well it was received, but I knew who I was working with. We’re all a family and we’re going to stay on set until we got everything right. Everyone is so easy and fun to work with. It’s a very uplifting and loving set. It wasn’t even like going to work; I felt like I was going to my second family.

PC: In season two, we get to see different layers to Zac. Which was your favorite to explore and why?
Kian: I enjoyed pushing his limits in a new way. As you know, Zac’s very statistical. He likes numbers. He likes to do everything himself, but he can’t push himself too hard while in remission, even though he wants to. I enjoyed getting to portray the emotions he felt when he was held back in certain circumstances.


PC: “One Door Closes” [Episode 6 in season two] is a really powerful episode in the series for Zac, and for you as an actor. Did its impact resonate during the actual filming?
Kian: Definitely! I even had a talk with our director, Jason, about this. I feel like everything I do with Zac affects me because I have to take home the emotions that I give on set. I had a pretty strong talk with Jason about coping with the feelings and not living with them. I would find myself going home after filming each day and living those emotions. Every emotion that I gave on set stuck with me.

PC: Besides Zac’s relationship with Mia, which of his relationships is your favorite to explore and why?
Kian: His relationship with his sister, Bec. Besides Mia, it’s definitely the most meaningful. I have a similar bond with my younger sister. She means a lot to me, so it was cool to bring the love I have for her to Zac’s relationship with Bec.

PC: What are you most excited for your fans to see with season two?
Kian: I’m excited for them to get to see another side of Zac since they’ve only seen one side of him. They got to see Zac when he was sick and trying to become better for the people in his life and for himself. In season two, he’s doing a lot better, but he’s not perfect. I’m excited for everyone to see what he has planned and where that leads.


PC: If the series gets picked up for a third season, where would you like to see Zac’s story arc head?
Kian: Jeez, that’s a big question. That’s perhaps the biggest question I’ve ever had. Where would I like to see Zac go? Well, I’d like him to stay healthy—that’d be fantastic. I would like to see his love story and his relationship with Mia build. I don’t like continuously saying, “It’s a bumpy road,” or “It has its ups and downs,” but that’s kind of inevitable. I think Zac and Mia deserve love. I hope in season three, if it gets picked up, that we settle our differences.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: If you were stuck on a desert island and could only have three things, what would they be?
Kian: Oh gosh! Food, water, and pants.

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Kian: You on Netflix

PC: Last person you called or texted?
Kian: My manager, Lisa [laughs]

PC: Most used emoji?
Kian: The red heart followed by the black heart.

PC: A place you’d like to visit?
Kian: My hometown, San Clemente, California.

PC: A person you’d like to meet, dead or alive?
Kian: Frank Sinatra

Keep up with Kian by following him on Twitter and Instagram, and catch Zac and Mia season two on Hulu on February 14.

Photo Credit: Awesomeness