Pop Culturalist Chats with Adain Bradley

Adain Bradley is one of the fresh faces on The CW’s newest hit series, Riverdale, based on the Archie Comics. Adain plays Trev, a sensitive and caring high school jock. His performance is quickly grabbing everyone’s attention. It’s hard to believe it’s his television debut in the States. Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with him about the role, who inspires him, and what advice he would give to young up-and-coming actors.

Riverdale Questions

PC: Congratulations on making your television debut in the US. What about the project stood out to you?
Adain: Its depth. When I got the scene for the audition, the thing that stood out to me the most was the deep interplay between the two characters. Right then I knew it was going to be something great.

PC: Were you familiar with the comics and characters before you auditioned/signed on?
Adain: I knew of the comics, but didn’t know much about it. Growing up in the UK, it wasn’t on every shelf like it is in the US. Luckily, my mother is American and helped fill in all the blanks I had.

PC: Why do you think the Archie Comics have stood the test of time?
Adain: I think one of the reasons is how diverse its cast of characters is. Reading through a couple of issues I could see that the characters in the Archie universe vary in age, shape, size, and interests. There is someone for everyone to relate to.

PC: Tell us about your character and what role he plays in the overall story?
Adain: Although Trev is the jock type, he’s also quite sensitive and caring. Without giving too much away, he delivers some information that adds a whole new wrinkle in the investigation of Jason Blossom’s death. That’s all I can say. (I don’t want to get into trouble)

PC: What preparation went into shaping Trev?
Adain: I have a usual uninteresting process of breaking down a script scene by scene, but what was different about this particular role was that Trev is a preexisting entity. Therefore I had to go through the comics for any discernible character traits he may have possessed.

PC: We learn in Episode 3 that there are members of the football team that are slut-shaming girls on campus. But your character helps put a stop to it. It’s hard, especially in high school to go against the grain. Has there ever been a moment in your life where you’ve had to do that?
Adain: Thankfully I’ve never had to combat something as serious as that, but I think everybody had to go against the grain at least once in high school. Even reporting something like a minor bullying incident feels like a big deal. I hope that Trev’s actions sent a strong message.

PC: The show features a lot of fresh faces, what was the atmosphere like on set?
Adain: Everyone was so accommodating. The show features a nice blend of rookies and veterans, and whichever category you fell into you felt welcome. For me, it’s great to be working with such experienced actors; it shows me that I have a lot to learn.

PC: If you could play any other character on the show, who would it be and why?
Adain: Probably Jughead. I’m intrigued by his personal story and I would love to narrate the show as he does.

Career Questions

PC: How did you get started in acting? And when did you know you wanted to be an actor?
Adain: When I was 8, my teacher suggested that I join the school’s drama club. I decided I wanted to be an actor after my first real production at the age of 10.

PC: How does filming a television show in the US compare to the work you’ve done in the UK?
Adain: Most of my work in the UK was theatre so as you can imagine, it’s like apples and oranges.

PC: What is your dream role? And who would you love to work with in the future?
Adain: I would be honored to play a superhero. I was huge into comic books growing up so, that’s always been a dream of mine. I definitely want to work with Disney on bringing a character to life. I know that whenever I go and see a Disney animated movie it’s going to be special and I would love to be a part of that experience.

PC: Who inspires you?
Adain: Any actor that makes me feel something from their performance alone. When I’m watching a movie or TV show and I feel what that character’s going through, it inspires me to want to bring that level of performance to any character I have the opportunity of playing.

PC: What advice would you give young actors coming up?
Adain: Don’t listen to the negativity and don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Adain: Real Housewives of Orange County. (Don’t tell anyone!)

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Adain: I’m not sure if it’s so much a guilty pleasure but Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I think it’s quite possible that I have seen that movie over 50 times.

PC: A band or artist fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Adain: I listen to anything from Ed Sheeran to Chance the Rapper to Debussy. My musical tastes are all over the place.

PC: Favorite book?
Adain: A book called The Machine Gunners.

PC Favorite musical or play?
Adain: Bugsy Malone! It’s fantastic and also the first production I ever did.

Make sure to follow Adain on Instagram and Twitter. And watch new episodes of Riverdale, every Thursday on The CW at 9/8c.

Photo Credit: Ricky Middlesworth Photography