The Spiderwick Chronicles Cast Discuss The Importance Of Representation And The Magic Of Being On Set
The Spiderwick Chronicles started as a fantasy book and made its way onto our screens via Nickelodeon, and now Roku has picked up the series, offering their take on the classic. The true goal of this series has been to breathe new life into a beloved story and deliver a narrative that's vibrant and fresh for the next generation. Pop Culture's Makkedah Ramsey caught up with the cast of young rising stars to discuss everything from casting to their experiences on this wondrous set.
The Spiderwick Chronicles centers around the Grace family's return to Henson. At the heart of the story, we revisit a family we already know and love, but this time around, we see a family of color. It doesn’t alter the magic of the world but does influence the storyline and creates a special experience for the actors. "We are a family of color, but we’re not throwing it in your face,” said Lyon Daniels, who plays Jared Grace. He understands just how significant it is to have representation in a fantasy adventure. “Being part of that representation is beautiful. As a person of color having this Harry Potter-esque role is amazing.”
Mychala Lee shares her own unique experience as a Black woman exploring a storyline about her hair and the value hair holds for women of color. “It’s something I’ve been through that I feel every young Black and Brown girl can understand,” she added about playing Mallory Grace. “That’s something that was really beautifully and truthfully done.”
The storyline of being a biracial family is powerful and allows audiences to connect with the characters in a different way. But connecting with their characters on a personal level is what truly helped the cast perform. “It’s strange how much each of us is like our characters,” said Lee. She connected with her character Mallory, who is an overachiever, as she identifies with being “type A.”
“All of us are kind of similar to our characters in a couple of weird ways that it actually helps the family dynamic and on an acting level, it just brings everything up and you can really see it on screen,” shared Noah Cottrell, who felt his character Simon’s sensitivity and openness was relatable to his own journey.
While this story tackles heavy topics like familial struggles and mental illness, we cannot get enough of the beautiful Spiderwick estate. “It’s so easy to encapsulate yourself into this world. They have fairies hidden in the walls, wallpaper, and all these little cool artifacts,” Daniels said. The Spiderwick set is a true highlight of the show, visualizing the beauty and enchantment of the house and setting the tone for what we as an audience can expect.
Meanwhile, Jack Dylan Grazer is no stranger to the world of voice acting, having roles like Alberto Scorfano in Luca and Jonathan Kent in Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons, and now as Thimbletack. Though these roles definitely prepared him for Thimbletack, it was very natural for him to jump into the role. “I actually felt in ways very close to a Thimbletacky kind of guy. I'm kind of a critter, a quick-witted son of a twist, if you will,” he said, even going so far as to label himself the “Jeff Goldblum” of our generation, continuing to keep his playful energy that comes across perfectly as Thimbletack.
While Calliope is the exact opposite — feisty and always keeps us on edge — her relationship with Simon is one place we get to see her open up. Alyvia Alyn Lind didn't give away too many spoilers about what to expect from her and Simon, but one thing is for sure, we are not alone in feeling lost in Calliope's tricks. “You never know what she’s thinking, Whether she's manipulating, actually feeling it, or just a hoot and holler,” she teased.
It’s not everyday you get to live in a magical land and this cast is just enjoying the ride. The Spiderwick Chronicles is streaming on Roku TV now.
