ExclusiveNickelodeon Heads to Space With New Show ‘The Astronauts’: Meet the Cast

Nov 20, 2020 11:52 am

By Shelby Stivale

The Astronaut Exclusive

Get ready to blast off into space with Nickelodeon’s The Astronauts!

Starring Miya Cech, Bryce Gheisar, Keith L. Williams, Kayden Grace Swan and Ben Daon, the new show is centered on a group of kids who embark on the adventure of a lifetime when they are mistakenly launched into space. The premiere episode, which aired on November 13, follows the group as they use their parents’ security clearances to sneak onto the empty Odyssey II before it’s set to launch a major mission. While onboard, the kids trigger the launch sequence, which blasts them off into space. While their parents try to get them back, the kids are forced to become astronauts.

Just ahead of the show’s second episode, set to air on Friday, November 20, J-14 caught up with the cast. They spilled some tea on their characters, shared some behind-the-scenes secrets from set and more! Scroll through our gallery to check out each interview, and tune into The Astronauts on Nickelodeon Fridays at 7 p.m. ET.

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The Astronaut Exclusive

Miya Cech plays Samantha “Samy” Sawyer-Wei

J-14: Tell us about your character! Who do you play?

Miya: I play Samy Sawyer-Wei. She’s the daughter of the flight commander of the Odyssey II spaceship, Rebecca Sawyer. She’s very smart and has aspirations of becoming an astronaut, too. So, she is the only one of the five kids who knows how the ship works and how to fly it [because] she’s been studying on her mom’s simulator for years.

J-14: Do you relate to Samy?

Miya: I do love space like Samy. I’m not a genius in school, but I do love science and math. I can be stubborn like Samy at times but I’m definitely more silly and goofy than she is.

J-14: Is it fun starring in a show about space? What was it like working inside the spaceship?

Miya: I love space and sci-fi. It’s definitely one of my favorite genres. I also love that we get to work with some of the coolest directors who really know how to make a space show! Our spaceship set is so amazing. On our first day, I was in awe of how detailed everything is. When we are filming, I feel like I’m actually on a ship.

J-14: Any fun behind-the-scenes stories you can share from on set?

Miya: I am a huge K-pop fan in real life, but in the show, Doria is the K-pop stan. The rest of our characters are supposed to be clueless about K-pop. In any scene involving SuperM or K-pop, it was so hard for me pretend like I was clueless.

J-14: What’s your favorite scene that you’ve filmed so far?

Miya: I loved filming the scenes when I’m floating through the spine of the ship. I get to hang by wires and pretend like I’m floating. Basically, any time I get to fly on wires is awesome. I also have a very emotional scene later in the season that was very challenging but so cool to film.

J-14: Do you get along with your costars when the cameras stop rolling?

Miya: We all lived in the same building during filming, so after work it was easy to run to each other’s rooms and hang out. We also really liked hanging out at the pool and grabbing dinner together. We all love boba tea so that was usually our go-to dessert.

J-14: What was your reaction when you found out you were cast on The Astronauts?

Miya: Nickelodeon came to me with the script for The Astronauts and told me that Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Imagine Kids & Family were involved. I was so excited because I had just finished working on season one of Are You Afraid of the Dark?, which had been such a cool experience. I was excited to get to continue working with Nickelodeon and work on a very real and grounded space adventure. Also, Samy’s story line was basically everything I could ever ask for in a dream role.

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The Astronaut Exclusive

Bryce Gheisar plays Elliot Combs

J-14: Tell us about your character! Who do you play?

Bryce: I play Elliot Combs, the son of the spaceship’s billionaire owner, Griffin Combs. He has always lived in the shadow of his father and always felt like he needed to prove himself. Elliot also convinced his friends to go on the spaceship. He wants to be a leader but comes off arrogant. Even though he comes off in this way, he is actually a very sensitive kid underneath.

J-14: Do you relate to your character at all?

Bryce: I don’t have too much to relate to as far as personality traits. I mean, we do look the same. I’d say that both Elliot and I are both very determined. If we have an idea, we usually stick to it.

J-14: Is it fun starring in a show about space? What was it like working inside the spaceship?

Bryce: I didn’t know what to expect at first. I didn’t know how everything was going to look and I didn’t know how you would film a show like this. After I got on set and finally understood, it was pretty amazing. I always dreamed of doing a sci-fi TV show, so it was a dream come true.

J-14: Any fun behind-the-scenes stories you can share from on set?

Bryce: We filmed half of this show during the pandemic so it was hard to do anything while following the COVID precautions.

J-14: What’s your favorite scene that you’ve filmed so far?

Bryce: I’ve filmed a lot of scenes that delve deep into Elliot’s emotions in later episodes. Those were some of my favorites to film.

J-14: Do you get along with your costars when the cameras stop rolling?

Bryce: Yes, we all have a lot of fun when the cameras aren’t rolling. Some of our favorite things to do are go out to eat and watch movies. We do that on a regular basis.

J-14: What was your reaction when you found out you were cast on The Astronauts?

Bryce: I was super excited and ready to get on set. I saw some concept art after booking the show and those pictures made me even more excited.

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The Astronaut Exclusive

Keith L. Williams plays Martin Taylor

J-14: Tell us about your character! Who do you play?

Keith: I play Martin Taylor, the quiet and most reserved kid onboard the spaceship. He brings a healthy dose of common sense, loyalty and heart to the group.

J-14: Do you relate to your character at all?

Keith: I can totally relate to my character as we are both reserved and protective over our family and friends.

J-14: Is it fun starring in a show about space? What was it like working inside the spaceship?

Keith: I’m having the time of my life starring in The Astronauts. It looks so realistic, as if I am actually floating in the Odyssey II. It was very tight working in the spaceship so I loved having my own gardening area where I would prepare food while also trying not to float away.

J-14: Any fun behind-the-scenes stories you can share from on set?

Keith: I have several, but one that really stands out was when filming the scene when the kids sneak onto the ship. My jacket kept getting caught on the fence when I would go under it.

J-14: What’s your favorite scene that you’ve filmed so far?

Keith: My favorite scenes have to be the spacewalk and without giving away too much, floating outside the ship was incredible!

J-14: Do you get along with your costars when the cameras stop rolling?

Keith: We all have great chemistry. Filming was an amazing adventure. We all live in different locations but we do stay in contact.

J-14: What was your reaction when you found out you were cast on The Astronauts?

Keith: I was in Los Angeles with my mom when I got the call that I booked The Astronauts. After I stopped screaming, I immediately called my dad and older brother. We were all very happy!

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The Astronaut Exclusive

Kayden Grace Swan plays Doria Taylor

J-14: Tell us about your character! Who do you play?

Kayden: I play Doria Taylor, the super self-confident, stubborn outgoing younger sister of Martin. Doria never wants to lose an argument, especially when it comes to her brother. She has a great eye for detail and endless creativity. She is obsessed with fashion, K-pop stars and music and also has an interest in medicine.

J-14: Do you relate to your character at all?

Kayden: Yes, I completely relate to Doria in nearly every way. I love fashion and music in the same way as she does and I have to admit, I’ve taken advantage of being a little sister a few times! Just like Martin, my big brother Brandon looks out for me.

Is it fun starring in a show about space? What was it like working inside the spaceship?

Kayden: Starring in a show about space is absolutely amazing. Working inside what is basically a real-life spaceship is incredible. Every single detail is real. Every button, monitor and switch actually work!

J-14: Any fun behind-the-scenes stories you can share from on set?

Kayden: Some of my funniest stories are from scenes that we filmed in the command module. When we are in the seats we are actually on our backs and basically upside down. There were times we would all get the giggles because it’s just a funny feeling when the seat would flip back and slide us into position.

J-14: What’s your favorite scene that you’ve filmed so far?

Kayden: By far my favorite scene we’ve filmed so far is a dance scene. We got to have a lot fun with that and just be silly.

J-14: Do you get along with your costars when the cameras stop rolling?

Kayden: Yes! The best thing we all have in common is we’re all foodies! Keith and I have become best friends and we act exactly like brother and sister.

J-14: What was your reaction when you found out you were cast on The Astronauts?

Kayden: When I found out I was cast as Doria, my mom and manager pulled a prank on me, telling me that I didn’t have to go to a second scheduled producers’ session. So, I was naturally let down but tried not to show it, then they told me I didn’t have to go to the session because I had booked the role! I was in complete disbelief. I couldn’t even comprehend what they were telling me at first. Then once I understood it was for Doria … I screamed … I cried and I even hit myself in the head a few times! I still get chills when I think about that day.

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The Astronaut Exclusive

Ben Daon plays Will Rivers

J-14: Tell us about your character! Who do you play?

Ben: I play Will Rivers, he is a funny goofy class clown full of charisma and wonder. He’ll never say no when asked to help or participate and is overjoyed by his new friends.

J-14: Do you relate to your character at all?

Ben: I find that I relate to my character quite a bit. We both like making people laugh, and love helping out and making friends.

J-14: Is it fun starring in a show about space? What was it like working inside the spaceship?

Ben: Working on this show is easily the most fun I’ve ever had. Being with the kids, working with the amazing directors, being on a spaceship! I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

J-14: Any fun behind-the-scenes stories you can share from on set?

Ben: I can’t pick one moment. Being with the kids behind the scenes was so much fun, doing school together, trading jokes, eating lunch. They made the experience what it was.

J-14: What’s your favorite scene that you’ve filmed so far?

Ben: My favorite scene is in the cargo bay. It is this massive set with a very high ceiling, and I got to hang from it. It’s my favorite scene because I got to do zero-g work, which is one of my favorite part of filming for me.

J-14: Do you get along with your co-stars when the cameras stop rolling?

Ben: Yes, being with the other kids who all come from different places, with different stories and different experiences, made this undoubtedly more fun.

J-14: What was your reaction when you found out you were cast on The Astronauts?

Ben: Any time you book work in this industry it’s such a great feeling. So, when I found out I booked this awesome show, I think went into shock! I would even go as far as to say it’s the most excited I’ve ever felt.

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