Pop Culturalist Chats with Anne with an E’s Cory Gruter-Andrew

It’s difficult to fathom that it was just three years ago when Cory Grüter-Andrew first began acting. He fell in love with the craft after his mom enrolled him in a week-long acting camp. Since then, he’s landed roles in popular films and television programs including The 100, Legends of Tomorrow, Van Helsing, and Summer of 84. Currently, he’s starring in the Netflix original, Anne with an E, delivering a veteran-like performance that has everyone buzzing. His portrayal of Cole, a young man discovering his identity, is sensitive, nuanced, and moving. Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Cory about the role.

PC: Tell us about Anne with an E, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Cory: I always like to challenge myself as an actor, and when I read the character description for Cole, I instantly knew how complex and sensitive he was going to be. I wanted to find out more about who he is and how he plays into the story.

PC: Cole spends a majority of the season discovering who he is. How did you prepare to play him and how much of yourself is in Cole?
Cory: To be honest, I didn’t do the whole “preparation”. I dove in and got to know Cole over time. Cole is now a part of me. He’s my soft side, and believe it or not, whenever I have a large role that takes me away for a month or two, my taste in music changes. I’m not sure why, but I get in touch with characters really intensely. I love it.

PC: He’s an original character who isn’t in the source material. Was that an advantage or disadvantage?
Cory: I don’t think it was either an advantage or a disadvantage; I saw it more as an open opportunity to bring something wonderful to this series.

PC: What are the major similarities and differences working on a period piece versus something more contemporary?
Cory: Well, people have been, and always will be the same. It’s just our environment that is evolving and changing around us that makes us different from how we were a century ago, like now we have all this new technology and such.

PC: Your character is one that many will relate to especially within the LGBTQ+ community. Did you ever feel any additional pressure because of that?
Cory: I wouldn’t call it pressure as much as a wonderful sense of responsibility that makes me want to work hard to collaborate and bring such a lovely, relatable character to life.

PC: What can you tell us about the dynamic between Anne and Cole? What do they learn from each other?
Cory: Anne and Cole are drawn to each other because they relate in the sense that they’re both outsiders and kindred spirits. They see that in each other and they grow closer because of it. Anne really taught Cole throughout the season how to come out of his shell and show his colors to the world, and also that being different doesn’t make you “weird” or “unnatural”, it just makes you unique.

PC: Talk to us about the decision that Cole makes at the end of the season.
Cory: At the end of the season during the Charlottetown trip, Cole makes the decision to stay behind and live with Josephine Barry to pursue his art and continue to grow in a nurturing environment. He realized that he needed a change and didn’t want to stay at his parents’ farm working the field for the rest of his days.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Cory: Van Helsing

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Cory: Spaceballs is definitely one.

PC: Favorite book?
Cory: The Golden Compass

PC: Favorite play or movie?
Cory: Swiss Army Man

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Cory: I’m a huge fan of Lil Uzi Vert. To be honest, I’m listening to him now. Guess I’m going to hell. (If you know you know).

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Cory: The Last Man on Earth with Will Forte on Fox!

PC: Hidden talent?
Cory: My thumb is double jointed. Not sure if that counts but there you go!

Make sure to follow Cory on Twitter and Instagram, and binge-watch Anne with an E on Netflix!