Exclusive interview with Cory Gruter-Andrew

April 10, 2016 | In the third season of the post apocalyptic show "The 100" Cory Gruter-Andrew plays the Grounder Aden and in an episode of "Legends of Tomorrow" he portrays a young version of a popular character of the DC Universe. Cory can be seen soon with Sarah Wayne Callies in the film "This Is Your Death". In our interview Cory Gruter-Andrew talks about how he got into acting, the casting as Aden and his German roots.

Foto: Cory Gruter-Andrew - Copyright: Yinger
Cory Gruter-Andrew
© Yinger
Note: © myFanbase 2016 - The interview is exclusive to myFanbase and may not be published on other websites or the like. You may share the first two questions (up to 180 words) if you link back to this site. Translations other than English and German may be posted with full credit including the link to this site.

German translation of the interview.

How did you get into acting? And do you still have time for things from a "normal childhood"?

I got into acting because every few years my parents asked if I wanted to do acting classes because they thought it would be fun for me. I finally decided to try an acting class and decided that I really liked it - I found the people around me were uplifting and I enjoyed exploring the depths of characters’ lives. I have time to hang out with my friends and family, go to school, and do chores – but I don’t have much time for team sports because of auditions.

Could you please tell us a little bit about the casting process for your role as Aden on "The 100"?

I was very excited to audition for "The 100" as I have been a huge fan from the first episode. They were looking for a person with a black or brown belt in martial arts, so I was a little bit worried as I only had a yellow belt (when I was eight) but did have some experience with sword fighting. I had to learn the grounder language and speak it in the audition which was challenging.

Foto: Cory Gruter-Andrew - Copyright: courtesy of Cory's mum
Cory Gruter-Andrew
© courtesy of Cory's mum

You had a little fight scene with Alycia Debnam-Carey, who played Lexa. How did you prepare for this?

I went to the studio a few days before the scene and practiced with the stunt coordinator who was very supportive, and then practiced with Alycia. She was absolutely great to work with. On the day of shooting I practiced in a nearby field with Alycia and the stunt coordinator again.

In #3.09 Stealing Fire Titus says that the flame deepens what's already there. What sort of commander do you think Aden would have been?

This is a good question to ask "The 100" writers. I suspect Aden would have been a commander who would have leaned towards peace rather than violence, and would have tried to follow in Lexa’s footsteps. It is a difficult world to survive in though …

Has there been a day on the set of "The 100" that you would like to relive because it was so funny or exceptional?

Probably the day of the fight scene because we got to drive around in ATVs to the set, and the set itself was amazing because the arena was part of a kid’s summer camp a long time ago and the moss that grew over it made it look so natural.

Foto: Cory Gruter-Andrew, Arthur Darvill - Copyright: courtesy of Cory's mum
Cory Gruter-Andrew, Arthur Darvill
© courtesy of Cory's mum

You play an exciting role in an upcoming episode of "Legends of Tomorrow". Did you work with the main cast in your scenes and what was the biggest challenge to portray the young Per Degaton?

The biggest challenge to playing Per Degaton was that he was not like me, he had a different personality, so I had to really get into a different mind space to connect with him. I worked mostly with Arthur Darvill, Casper Crump, and Wentworth Miller. Arthur had a great sense of humor, and Casper always did cool things between takes like beatbox for everyone or bring a motorised longboard to set. Wentworth was an incredibly nice guy and I really admire his work and hope to be where he is one day –and he gave me a bag of M&Ms! The rest of the cast were very welcoming to a new actor.

Are you a fan of the DC Universe? If yes, who do you love more, the heroes or the villains?

Totally! That is hard to say, I suppose I like the villains the most because they are very diverse characters and you can’t have an inspiring superhero without a few interesting villains – but they always seem to lose!

Which was the most frightening and the most rewarding thing you had to do so far in a series or a movie?

The most frightening was when I had to shave off all my hair (!) for "This is Your Death", and the most satisfying was when I finished my first day ever on a TV set on "Fargo". It felt really good to be acting - my mum had a difficult time persuading me to leave as I was fascinated by what was happening on set - we didn’t get home until very late.

Is there a piece of advice from an older fellow actor that you found particularly helpful?

Wentworth Miller said to me on the set of "Legends of Tomorrow" that when I audition it could be helpful if I was in character as I walk into the casting room – very, very useful advice!

Foto: Cory Gruter-Andrew - Copyright: Yinger
Cory Gruter-Andrew
© Yinger

In your Twitter bio you wrote you are interested in German culture. Are you part German (there's an Umlaut in your name) and is there an aspect that you are particularly interested in?

I am half German on my Dad’s side. I am most interested in German food – so many amazing cheeses and meats - and I love my dad’s meatloaf. I am very excited to go to a pub in Germany with my Opa one day.

Soon you can be seen in "This Is Your Death" with Sarah Wayne Callies, Famke Janssen and Josh Duhamel. Please tell us a little bit about your part and the film.

The film is about game shows taking things too far – to the point where people are killing themselves on TV. I play the role of a 12 year old boy who is in the hospital, and my character’s relationship with his nurse, played by Sarah Wayne Callies, impacts some choices she makes. It was directed by Giancarlo Esposito – he was a very encouraging and friendly person.

Do you have future projects you can talk about?

Not yet ;-)

Since myFanbase is an online magazine about U.S. television shows, we would like to know what your favorite shows are?

Besides "The 100" and "Legends of Tomorrow" – I was so lucky to get to act on them - favorite shows would include "The Walking Dead", "Fear the Walking Dead", "The Talking Dead" (I like Zombies!), "Brooklyn 99", "The Simpsons" …

Thank you so much for making time for us, Cory, we wish you all the best!

Charleen Winter - myFanbase


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