The debut of Netflix’s Wednesday season two racked up 50 million views (after the first four episodes dropped last month) in just five days on the streamer. The latest season introduces a new face at Nevermore Academy: Noah Taylor, a Filipino American, New York-based actor and musician stepping into the role of werewolf Bruno Yuson. He plays the mysterious new transfer who is part brooding artist, part charming outsider, stirring up trouble and stealing hearts this season. Part two of Wednesday season two drops Wednesday.
Taylor is already proving himself as one to watch. He booked Wednesday fresh off studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. He’s also a musician, releasing music with his brother under their indie project, One Minute Friend. JoySauce chatted with Taylor about how he’s navigated being part of a reputed franchise while finding his identity and accepting things he has control over.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Rasha Goel: You booked Wednesday while at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. What was the process like, from auditioning to becoming a part of the show?
Noah Taylor: Actually, I was in my first year, and I got the audition in December. It was a self-tape request, and over the next two months, there was a callback process, and I kept getting called back. And finally, I did a chem test with Emma Meyers over Zoom, and it went well. I booked it! It’s still so surreal.
Auditioning is hard emotionally, but you get used to it. I’ve done a lot of auditions since that one, but I think I started to feel better about it when I let go. I think after the first or second callback, for some reason, I just thought I didn’t do great. And I just accepted that. I thought there will be another one in the future. And then I got the chem test, and I was super surprised. I think that allowed me to just be more relaxed with it. I love when stuff like that happens.
RG: You get to step into this world created by Tim Burton. How did you prepare yourself, just creatively and emotionally as you ventured into being a part of the show?
NT: I got the scripts, and I did the standard prep work. I created a personal history for the character and what the intentions were for each scene. But then, I focused a lot on my physicality. That was the main thing for me because he’s such a cool character. He’s so confident and when he enters a room, he owns it. He’s the coolest guy there. And being able to walk around with that sort of weight was important for me. I had to figure out how that felt in my body and how I could snap into that. That was helpful for me. Once I got that down, line delivery and the rest fell into place.
Noah B. Taylor as Bruno and Emma Myers as Enid Sinclair.
Helen Sloan/Netflix
RG: Was there something in the story or specifically about Bruno Yuson that drew you to him? In what ways can you relate to him?
NT: He’s complex. He wears a mask. I mean, everybody does, but we really get to see his mask come down when he interacts with Enid in episode two, specifically in the clock tower scene. He finds somebody he can open up to and shares his vulnerable side. And they both have similar insecurities about their place in the world as werewolves, which serves as a metaphor for whatever everybody is dealing with as they grow up. I think getting to play the confident character who also has got more going on underneath, was a fun challenge.
It’s all about Outcast pride this season, about accepting your differences.
RG: You mentioned this season touches on themes of Outcast pride and embracing differences. Has there been a moment in your own life when you felt misunderstood, or wished others had taken the time to see you more fully?
NT: I struggled with figuring out where I fit in growing up, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve been able to become more comfortable with myself and a big part of that has been finding a good supportive community of friends.
RG: Joining a show with an already established cast can be its own unique experience. Did you feel any nerves stepping into that dynamic as the “new kid on the block,” or did you find it exciting from the start?
NT: I was definitely feeling a little nervous coming to work with such a talented and incredible group of artists, but everyone was so welcoming, and they made me feel like part of the team from the start.
From left, Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams, Noah B. Taylor as Bruno, and Emma Myers as Enid Sinclair.
Courtesy of Netflix
RG: It seems like a fun show to film. Any favorite moments that you’ve had while filming or being on this show?
NT: Anytime we did a group scene. There are a bunch of scenes in episode three with the camp episode. That was a blast. The weather was really nice, and I got to go to work and see all my friends and hang out with everybody. It was a dream come true.
RG: How do you think growing up in a Filipino family has helped shape who you are as a person, and contributed to what you bring to your performance?
NT: I have an interesting experience with that. I was born in Chicago, but I grew up in New York. My mom’s Filipino, my dad’s white. He’s from Indiana, and so I think growing up, especially in New York, was super diverse. I spent a lot of my childhood there. I went to school in Chinatown, so many of my friends were Chinese.
I wasn’t sure what I was as a kid. I knew I was Filipino, but I wasn’t surrounded by Filipinos. And it was funny, in middle school, I thought I was a white guy, because of everybody I was around. Then I went to high school and I was around more white people, and was like, “Oh I’m Asian.” Growing up, I was coming to terms with my identity. I think most people that are biracial have to figure that out. I grew up going to the Philippines to see my mom’s family every couple years. I’m very close with them.
It’s really nice to have a support system where your family’s got your back. And with extended family, you’re there for each other, and that’s something that I really value in my life.
RG: One Minute Friend, your indie venture with your brother. You have a new release that just came out?
NT: Aug. 18. We grew up playing instruments. My mom had me start learning classical violin at age 4, and I spent most of my childhood playing classical violin. As I got older, I decided to try out rock music and guitar, drums, and bass. I learned how to produce. Music is definitely something that I hold dear, and close to my heart, because it’s something I have control over. I can do that whenever I want, whenever I feel like I need to creatively express myself. I love that.
Emma Myers as Enid Sinclair and Noah B. Taylor as Bruno in “Wednesday.”
Jonathan Hession/Netflix
RG: Noah, how do you keep your confidence going? This is an industry with many ups and downs, and even in the moment of the multiple callbacks for you, how do you strengthen yourself?
NT: I think for me, it came down to I’m doing this because I want to be an artist, and I feel that I can’t do anything else. I went into this prepared to not see success for a long time. It comes down to making sure I have the right priorities. If my priorities are to make art that I’m proud of and make art that I believe in-that is very achievable, that is something that is within my control. And I think coming to terms with what isn’t in my control is very helpful.
RG: What are your thoughts on Southeast Asian representation in Hollywood?
NT: I am a huge fan of Asian film and cinema. Some of my favorite directors are Ryusuke Hamaguchi, or Wong Kar Wai. Of course, there should be more Asian representation in Hollywood, and I think that is shifting. But also, Asia has its own cinema and its own art, and I think that will continue to flourish and grow internationally as well.
RG: What can fans be excited about in season two?
NT: This season is insane. It’s amazing. There’s so much going on with many plot threads that are going to come together. Part one is out now, part two coming in September, and I hope everybody enjoys it. It’s very exciting.
