Pop Culturalist Chats with I Am Frankie’s Zachary S. Williams

Zachary S. Williams is a new addition to Nickelodeon’s hit series, I Am Frankie. In the show, he plays Zane, a student at Sepulveda High who writes a powerful student production about acceptance. It’s a role that Zachary found easy to relate to because he shares the same passion and foundation as his character. Pop Culturalist spoke with this exciting up-and-comer about I Am Frankie, how his brothers helped him prepare for the part, and the biggest lesson he’s learned being a part of the cast.

PC: Tell us about I Am Frankie, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Zachary: I Am Frankie is about a teenage girl, Frankie Graines, who is secretly an android. With a government agency out to capture her in order to form an evil android army, Frankie is put in high school to essentially “hide in plain sight.” My character is Zane Markosian, a new addition to the main cast for season two. He is really into theatre and becomes the playwright and director of the school play, Bae of Frankenstein. Additionally, Zane may or may not have a crush on his producing partner, Dayton Reyes. Stay tuned to find out!

PC: How familiar were you with the series prior to joining? What was the audition process like?
Zachary: At the time of my audition, I had only ever heard of the show! My brothers, who are eight and nine years old, watched season one and loved it. When I found out that I was moving on to the producer session, I had about a week’s time to prepare. I just remember being so busy at the time and not being able to watch ALL 20 episodes, so, I turned to my brothers and they actually caught me up to speed on what the show was about and who was who.

PC: How much of Zachary is in Zane?
Zachary: I would say that Zane is me times ten! It was really cool being able to play a character who is really into theatre because it’s also my passion and foundation in acting. Although we have a lot in common, I think he’s more proactive and provocative than I am.

PC: What can you tease about your character’s arc this season?
Zachary: At first, Zane seems like a nice, new student to school. During the first half of the season, you start to see Zane’s passion for theatre shine immensely. In episode 212, “I Am…an Android”, Zane is in full costume, ready to announce the leads of the play. Then, in the second half of the season, you see someone who is very determined and someone who will go the furthest distance to do the right thing. He’ll bring androids and humans together, all while possibly having a crush on his producing partner, Dayton Reyes.

PC: How challenging was it to join a cast who has a season under its belt?
Zachary: Joining the cast for season two was the most exciting, yet nerve-racking experience ever! It was hard at first because I had to learn everyone’s name and how they operate. Then, there were some inside jokes that I had no clue about. Everyone was super kind and welcoming and it was very easy to fit right in right away, though!

PC: What was the biggest lesson you learned from this experience?
Zachary: The biggest lesson I learned was how to be an adult. I was eighteen when I booked the role of Zane, so I was legally allowed to be on set without a parent. My family and I took advantage of this opportunity because we felt that it would be a great learning experience. I was responsible for myself for three months: cooking, getting myself to and from work, doing laundry, and just taking care of myself in general.

PC: When did you first realize you wanted to pursue a career in acting?
Zachary: I want to say it was it was during my freshman year of high school when I really decided that I wanted to be an actor for the rest of my life and that I wanted to get a degree in acting. At that point, I had already been acting for about five or six years, but I always thought of it as a hobby, something I enjoyed doing outside of school.

PC: What is your dream role?
Zachary: Aaron Burr in Hamilton

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Zachary: Criminal Minds

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Zachary: Titantic

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Zachary: My favorite musical is Songs for a New World. My favorite play is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Zachary: The Cranberries

PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Zachary: Scandal

PC: Hidden talent?
Zachary: I can solve a Rubik’s Cube.

Make sure to follow Zachary on Twitter and Instagram, and catch I Am Frankie airing on Nickelodeon.