When you’re an actor who has over forty credits to your name, you learn what works and what doesn’t when preparing to step into the shoes of a new character. For Ryan Lee, it’s about self-belief, trust, and bringing as much of yourself into the role as possible because if you don’t believe it, the audience won’t either. It’s this successful formula that’s made Ryan one of the most exciting young actors of his generation, and one of the reasons why his performance in the Verizon go90/AwesomenessTV rom-com, My Dead Ex, is such a standout. In the series, Ryan plays Ben, a love-struck teen who will do just about anything to rekindle his relationship with Charley, a girl he dated in the fourth grade…even after he accidentally dies trying to impress her. Pop Culturalist spoke with Ryan about the role, the craziest thing he’s done to catch a girl’s attention, and what he admires most about his character.
PC: Tell us about My Dead Ex and your character.
Ryan: My Dead Ex is a story that revolves around a love triangle. My character, Ben, is in love with a girl named Charley. They dated for a week in fourth grade and broke up. They’re in high school now and Ben has spent the last year trying to get Charley to go out with him. She finally caves in. But he ends up dying after falling off a billboard. Luckily, he’s brought back to life, and he can do it all over again.
PC: What’s the biggest adjustment for your character after he returns from the dead?
Ryan: He’s relieved that he’s not dead anymore! As far as an adjustment, he’s less nervous now and dying has given him a new perspective on life.
PC: In the first episode, we see that Ben goes to great lengths to impress Charley. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done to impress someone?
Ryan: [laughs] Good question! I’m sure I’ve done something. I remember in the sixth grade, it was such a huge thing to ask a girl to the dance. You think of everything that could go wrong, but it’s really just about asking. Everyone was pairing off, so there were less and less people. The girl that I wanted to ask, I just ran up to her, and it wasn’t anything special, but I asked her. She said yes, and it was the best feeling. I realized I just needed to have the confidence to ask.
PC: Ben and Charley are polar opposites. Ben is a traditionalist, and Charley is a more up-to-date with trends. Where do you fall?
Ryan: I’m probably more similar to Ben when it comes to doing what you want to do. Everyone is super unique and Ben understands that.
PC: How much of Ryan is in Ben?
Ryan: I’d say a good amount, but with Ben, everything is heightened. Ben asks Charley out over fifty times, and it’s interesting to find the groundedness in a character like that. I wanted to bring a lot of myself to this character because if I don’t believe it, the audience won’t believe it.
PC: In the series, Ben and Charley have to stay within 30 feet of each other. If you had to be paired off with someone in real life, who would you want it to be and why?
Ryan: I’m going to go ahead and say my girlfriend so I don’t get in trouble. [laughs] We are pretty much within 30 feet of each other at all times.
PC: Did you have the opportunity to collaborate with the other Ryan, who plays the ten-year-old version of your character? Did you have any advice for him as a young actor?
Ryan: That was so funny that his name is also Ryan and looks like a splitting image of me. We were both at the premiere together the other day and we were pretty much wearing the same shirt. He’s an old soul and wise beyond his years. In terms of advice, I can just advise him to not to get too much in his head. It comes down to self-belief and trust.
PC: Do you have a favorite scene or episode?
Ryan: All the episodes are different and they bring a lot to each character. I would say my favorite is episode six. Ben goes to a party. He’s never really experienced a party, and he’s super nervous. You’ll see what happens!
PC: What has Ben taught you?
Ryan: The coolest thing about playing Ben is that he’s unapologetically himself. I think he’s self-aware, but not aware of what everyone thinks of him. He’s a lesson in perseverance. He asked Charley out over fifty times, and never gave up.
PC: If there’s one thing you’d love to explore further about your character next season if the show is picked up, what would it be and why?
Ryan: Interesting question! If he could go to college, I think it’d be interesting to see him navigate a whole new world. It’d also be cool to explore his new-found confidence.
PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Ryan: Keeping Up with the Kardashians and I’m proud of it.
PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Ryan: The Proposal
PC: Favorite book?
Ryan: Classics like Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. They introduced me to reading.
PC: Favorite play or musical?
Ryan: I saw Wicked in New York. It was one of my first musicals.
PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Ryan: I don’t think it’s surprising but Chance the Rapper.
PC: Favorite social media platform?
Ryan: Instagram
PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Ryan: Dead Ex!
PC: Last person you texted?
Ryan: My mom
PC: Hidden talent?
Ryan: I can juggle
Make sure to follow Ryan on Twitter and Instagram, and binge-watch the entire season of My Dead Ex on Verizon’s go90.
Photo Credit: AwesomenessTV
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