1. Carson, welcome back to OLC! So I want to ask how did your passion for acting begin, and what made you decide to leave modeling behind for on-camera work?
Thank you for having me back!!! Love getting the opportunity to chat again. I enjoyed modeling when I was younger, but I always liked the idea of acting more. I love telling stories and getting to play different characters, and once I tried acting, it just felt way more fun and challenging for me.
2. You started training exclusively for TV and film at a very young age. What was the most surprising thing you learned in those early classes, and how did it prepare you for your first auditions?
Honestly, the most surprising thing I learned was that acting for TV and film is way quieter and way more real than I expected. I thought you had to be super dramatic, but my coaches were like, ‘Nope, more “grounded”.’
That actually helped a ton with my first auditions, because I stopped trying so hard. I just relaxed, listened, and reacted. Once I figured that out, auditions felt way less stressful and a lot more fun.
3. Your very first major on-screen role was in Palmer opposite Justin Timberlake. What was it like stepping onto a big movie set for the first time, and how did working with someone as famous as Justin change the way you saw acting?
Stepping onto the Palmer set for the first time was crazy. Everything felt huge and way more professional than anything I’d done before. I was nervous, but everyone was super welcoming.
Working with Justin Timberlake was awesome. I expected him to be super serious, but he was really chill and made everyone feel comfortable. Watching how hard he worked and how focused he was definitely made me take acting even more seriously.
4. Right after Palmer, you landed a role in the inspirational film 5000 Blankets with Anna Camp. what drew you to that story, and how did it connect to your own life as an only child?
5000 Blankets really drew me in because it was such an emotional, inspiring story about family and not giving up. As an only child, I connected a lot with the idea of being super close to your parents and wanting to help them however you can.
And actually, right after Palmer, I filmed Rally Caps before 5000 Blankets. That movie was really fun because there were a bunch of kids on set, so it felt like hanging out with friends while working. But there were also days where I was the only kid on set working with legends like Amy Smart and Judd Hirsch. They were so nice and welcoming that they made those days feel way less intimidating.
So by the time I did 5000 Blankets, I felt way more confident jumping into roles that were emotional or where I was the only kid on set
5. Looking back, which of those first films taught you the biggest lesson about bringing real emotion to a character?
I’d say both Rally Caps and 5000 Blankets taught me the biggest lessons about bringing real emotion to a character.
In Rally Caps, I had to learn what childhood anxiety really felt like and figure out how to show that on screen in a way that was honest. That was the first time I had to tap into something deeper than just the fun parts of acting.
And in 5000 Blankets, I connected with my character on a super personal level, which made the emotional scenes feel a lot more real for me. I took everything I learned from Rally Caps and built on it, especially with help from my amazing acting coach, Taylor! She really helped me understand how to bring out real feelings, stay grounded, and make the character believable.
6. Fast-forward to this year: You’re playing Thomas in Stranger Things Season 5, the epic final chapter. Without spoilers, what was the audition process like for such a huge franchise, and how did it feel when you got the call?
The Stranger Things audition was honestly one of the most exciting things I’ve ever gotten. I remember seeing it come in and couldn’t wait to get started on learning the sides…even though they sent me dummy sides so I had no clue who I was supposed to be. I was just like, ‘Okay, whatever this is, I’m giving it everything!’
Then I got put on hold…for a while…and they told me not to cut my hair. My hair got so long, and all my friends kept asking why I suddenly refused to get a haircut. I couldn’t say anything, so I just kept laughing it off.
When I finally booked it, my manager surprised me by taking us out to dinner. They tricked me into thinking it was a celebration for Season 3 of Pupstruction (which is exciting and a huge achievement for all involved), but then they were like, “You also booked Stranger Things! The most iconic show in the world, and you’re leaving next week, so clear your calendar!” I seriously froze for a second. I couldn’t believe it. Getting the call for a show as huge as Stranger Things was one of the craziest, best moments ever.
7. Your role in Stranger Things Season 5 started small but got expanded during filming—a huge compliment to your talent! What surprised you most about how your character Thomas fit into the Hawkins world and the Upside Down chaos?
Thank you! Honestly, what surprised me the most was how a younger generation would fit into the story, especially since the main cast is older now. I kept wondering how someone my age would make sense in all the Hawkins drama and the Upside Down chaos.
8. Working on Stranger Things means sharing the screen with legends like Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, and Winona Ryder. As the youngest on set, how did the veteran cast make you feel welcome, and who became your go-to for advice during those intense scenes?
Being one of the younger ones on set was way less scary than I expected because the cast was incredible. Plus, I had a group of kids my age, and we all connected immediately. Lots of fun on and off set!
I’ll never forget my first day working with some of the main cast. They were amazing and took the time to ask us questions to get to know us, like what we like to do when we’re not acting, which made us feel welcome right away.
Caleb and I connected instantly over sports, so it felt like I already had a buddy there. We had a ton of fun behind the scenes, and no one acted too important or too famous. They remembered what it was like being the young ones, and that made the whole experience really fun.
9. The creators, the Duffer Brothers, are known for their super-detailed ’80s vibe and wild twists. What was it like collaborating with Matt and Ross on your scenes—did they give you any cool behind-the-scenes insights into ending the series after all these years?
Matt and Ross were so chill. They made every scene feel exciting and gave super clear direction, so we always knew the vibe.
They didn’t share much behind-the-scenes stuff beyond the scenes we were in. They kept everything super secret, and that was cool with me because it’s fun seeing everything on screen at the same time as everyone else.
10. With Stranger Things Season 5 wrapping up the story (and dropping in phases through New Year’s Eve), plus your other releases like Site and Eye for an Eye, what do you hope fans take away from seeing your growth as an actor?
I hope fans can see how much I’ve grown from project to project. Stranger Things Season 5 is obviously huge, and having Site and Eye for an Eye come out earlier this year made 2025 pretty crazy.
What I want people to take away is that I’m always pushing myself. Every role teaches me something…emotional scenes, intense moments, or just getting more confident on set.
If fans watch all of it and think, ‘Wow, he’s gotten even better,’ that would mean a lot. I’m just working hard and giving everything I have to each character.
11. What’s next on the horizon for you?
Next up, I just wrapped a super fun project called The Ditch, which is a soccer movie, and I had an absolute blast on that set. I love sports-themed films, so I’m really hoping even more of those come my way.
Also, Season 3 of Pupstruction should be coming soon, so that’s exciting! And now that Texas passed the film incentive, I’m really hoping I can add some Texas movies or TV shows to my resume. It would be awesome to work closer to home on something big.
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