Ryan McCartan in R.L. Stine’s Monsterville
Everyone who reads this site knows of my weird fascination and love of Disney Channel shows. I’m not a big fan of their current line up, but the one that caught my eye last year was Dove Cameron’s Liv & Maddie. Dove has that “it” factor that makes her watchable in anything.
The show also stars Dove’s real life squeeze Ryan McCartan as the lovable, goofball Diggie. Ryan has built himself a nice list of credits and was in USA Network’s Royal Pains (another show that I used to love). He’s currently in R.L. Stine’s Monsterville: The Cabinet of Souls. The movie is currently available on Netflix and all your digital services of choice. Not only is Ryan an interesting guy and a diverse actor, but he also dabbles in music and starred in sever musicals including a musical version of Heathers.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you got started in this business?
I started in theater when I was eight years old. Growing up in Minneapolis, there were a lot of exciting professional opportunities for kids. I got my lucky break when I was literally cast in a show by accident! But when all was said and done they kept me in the show and I loved it so much that I was hooked on acting for life!
I’m not ashamed to say that I’m a fan of Liv and Maddie, can you talk a bit about what it’s like to be on a show like this?
Liv and Maddie is so special because of how unique it is, being the only show of its kind since the Patty Duke show. We’ve all learned a ton from being a part of it. Working with my girlfriend is also absolutely amazing, not to mention some of the cast members are my dearest friends!
As an actor was it difficult for you to play against Dove since she was playing multiple characters?
Nope! She’s a pro, and the whole set knows exactly what they’re doing. It never gets confusing. That’s a big testament to Dove’s talent, as well as to the flexibility of production to make something so complex happen so smoothly.
How did you end up working on the same film project as Dove?
Interestingly enough, we got cast together! When I got the call from my agent, they told me that Monsterville really wanted me and Dove together. How could we pass that up!?
What can you tell us about Monsterville?
I’m really proud of it. It has all the elements of horror one would expect from a movie of its kind, without being TOO scary. Younger kids who want something to watch on Halloween but still want to be able to get to sleep that night will love this. Some moments are a little spooky, but there are fun, romantic, and light moments too.
What was the coolest thing you got to do while filming the movie?
We shot at an abandoned theme park, so on breaks we got to walk the entire grounds, but no one was there. It was cool to have an entire theme park to ourselves, and it was also a little eerie to have it so empty and silent. There is also a fantasy sequence that involves my character, and it’s just this huge, action-packed, fight scene. While I obviously didn’t do all my own stunts, I enjoyed doing as many of them as I possibly could!
Since this is a “monster” movie, I have to ask what scares you and how did you over come it?
Spiders. And I never did overcome it and I don’t think I ever will. 😛
What type of horror film do you like – supernatural, slasher, or monsters?
I like them all! I think if I had to pick I’d go with slashers, I love the suspense and the chase!
9. Can you talk a bit about what’s in store for Diggie and the Diggie/Maddie relationship?
I could… but I won’t! You’re just going to have to tune in and see! In all honesty, the writers like to keep things pretty close to the chest, Dove and I really don’t know much about where they’re going with the Diggie/Maddie relationship.