Interview With “Max & Shred” Actor Jonny Gray

Jonny Gray

The cast and Crew of Nickelodeon’s Max & Shred are busy in Toronto working on Season 2 of the . I spoke recently with talented actors Jonny Gray (Max) and Jake Goodman (Alvin AKA “Shred”) about what it’s like on the show, and what fans can expect in Season 2. Below, you’ll find portions of my interview with Jonny Gray, who plays Max. For my interview with Jake Goodman, click here. I also asked 7 Questions with Jonny and Jake.

Channel Guide: Tell me about getting the role of Max.
Jonny Gray: The whole process of getting the role of Max, it was really stressful for me, because I had to do a lot of auditions and a lot of screen tests. I’m not really an experienced actor, so it was kind of a really new experience for me. Once I got the role, I was freaking out. I was in shock, and didn’t even know what to think for like two days. I didn’t know what to expect.

When I got to set, I was just completely amazed by how it all goes. It took me back a step about how much work goes into the show. And then, by the end of the first season, I just saw how much I developed as an actor, and how much my character’s developed as well. The writers find little mannerisms that you’re used to seeing and they’ll put it in the script. They’ll make the character more like you, but not too significantly, so I thought that was pretty amazing.

Jonny GrayCG: How are you like Max?
Jonny Gray: I am similar to Max in some way. He’s a really upbeat and energetic guy, and he’s really friendly as well. I’m a pretty friendly person. He’s also really athletic, and I think that’s one of the things that I have most in common with him, is that we’re both … He’s a professional snowboarder. I’m not there yet, but I can also snowboard as well.

Sometimes, this is kind of funny, I have these moments that people call “Max Asher moments,” — mostly Jake and family. I’ll say something really dull and something that’ll be very obvious and I don’t understand it, and, they’ll say, “that’s a Max Asher moment!” I guess that’s how I’m really like Max.

CG: You mentioned that you do snowboard. When you’re on the slopes, do people expect you to be able to do wild tricks like your character?
Jonny Gray: Honestly, I just hope when I’m out snowboarding, that somebody’s not going to recognize me, because then they’re going to be like, “Oh, you know, go do something crazy.” It’s like, “Yeah, I can’t.” Oh yeah, I definitely … When I go snowboarding, I’ve been snowboarding for like, 6 years now, so I’m pretty experienced at it.

If somebody’s going to see me on the hill, if they recognize me, I just say, “Yeah, let’s go for a run,” or something like that. Yeah, I haven’t really encountered it yet.

CG: Tell me about life on set. Tell me about your co-stars. What are they like?
Jonny Gray: My co-stars, are all awesome. There’s no one I love more than the people on this set, especially Jake. He’s awesome. He’s an awesome kid. He’s like a little brother to me. He treats me just like a big brother, because he’s telling me to not do something stupid.

It’s such an amazing environment, honestly. It’s a life changing experience when you’re here, because you’re just learning so much from everybody. I learn something every day from Jake and Amelia, and even Saara. They’re just, honestly, such amazing people and such characters.

CG: Tell me about some of the fun things you do on set. Do you guys ever play pranks or joke around, or have dance parties or anything fun?
Jonny Gray: We do. Actually, I got a good little story that just happened recently. We played a game called, “What Are the Odds?” Jake said, “What are the odds today, that you’d eat a hard boiled egg, shell and all.” I said, “What are the odds? The odds are one in two.” I can either say a number between 1 and 2 … The whole point of the 1 and 2 is that, if I get the wrong number, like we say different numbers, he has to do it.

It’s like a really risk it, so I did it, and he got me. We did the same number, and I had to take a big bite out of a hard boiled egg. It was disgusting. Then, I got Jake to eat a big spoonful of flour. We were playing this game and it was hilarious.

CG: (Laughing) Oh my gosh! It sounds like a fun game. It sounds like you and your co-stars are really close, and friends in real life, which has got to be a lot of fun for you.
Jonny Gray: Oh, absolutely. It’s like a party.

CG: Good. Tell me what it’s like for you to be one of Nickelodeon’s young stars. I don’t know if you are like me, but I grew up watching Nickelodeon. It’s got to be pretty amazing to be part of that network.
Jonny Gray: Yeah, it is. Honestly, I grew up, watching a lot of Nickelodeon and a lot of YTV, and then I never really thought I would ever be part of that. That is something that would be way out there, and next thing I know, I was here, and part of the family. It was really amazing. It takes my breath away just thinking about it. I didn’t really recognize it. I didn’t think about it when I got the role, what I was stepping into.

When I started finding everything out, part of the Nickelodeon family, and all this publicity stuff, I thought it was really amazing, and being seen. I went to the KCAs [Kids Choice Awards] and getting invited to that, and that was a huge honor. Yeah, it’s been absolutely crazy … but it’s awesome.

CG: You said that you were a relatively new role when you landed the role of Max Asher on the show; Is there any advice you could give to other kids who want to be actors?
Jonny Gray: Yeah! You do a lot of interviews, and you have to do a lot of auditions before you get that one role that’s just going to help everything take off a little bit. You’ve just got to keep your head high. If you don’t get an audition, forget about it, and just get ready for the next one. There’s going to be another, and then when you do, just go in there feeling confident and have lots of energy. “Louder! faster! funnier!” as we say here.

Channel Guide: What’s going to be new for Max in Season two?
Jonny Gray: Well, actually the first couple of episodes there are some new outfits that are pretty hilarious. I can’t really say what they are too specifically, but I think everybody should just be ready for some awesome episodes. The first couple of ones are absolute bangers. They’re hilarious. Yeah, it’s just going to be another awesome season, honestly.

Jonny Gray also answered our celebrity 7 Questions. Learn more about Jonny Here!

1 Comment

  1. I love max and shred I cant what for season but I was wondering when season 2 premieres. I have been looking on a bunch of websites and I found out shred gets a full time girlfriend and I just found out there are going to be some sick outfits in season 2 which should be even more awesome than season 1. I saw the casts brain verse brawn challenge that was so funny and I also watched a bunch of interviews with Saara Chaundry, Jonny Gray, Amelia McCarthy and Jake Goodman and they are pretty funny in real life but I never would have guessed Jake was in a rock band. Also Jonny that must have been a pretty fun game you were playing with your friends on the cast. I also saw the tour of the set pretty sick I licked Max and Shreds bedroom the best because of all the cool inventions in there. Ialso saw the tour of the max asher tour bus there is some sweet stuff in there I have a bunch of max and shred t-shirts and pictures in my room already.Everyday I go to rogers kids zone I watch like 15 straight episodes of max and shred until my sister gets tired of it then I watch like 5 more on my computer. Any way I love your show and cant wait for season 2.

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