For Niko Ceci’s first on-screen regular character, he plays Kev Gardner in the Netflix comedy fantasy series I Woke Up A Vampire opposite a cast including Kaileen Angelic Chang as Carmie Henley, with Series 1 releasing last year, and it’s been announced that Niko will reprise his role in the April release of Series 2. Further screen roles for Niko have included guest-starring in Odd Squad – Series 3 as Seattle Mr. O, and he’s filmed for an upcoming episode of the Apple TV+ anthology series Circuit Breakers as Felix. Also a voiceover actor with numerous credits to his name, Niko plays Rafael in Pinkalicious & Peterrific, voiced Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo in Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum, Pablo Flores in Clifford the Big Red Dog, and since Series 2 of Blue’s Clues & You, he has voiced Cinnamon. We recently spoke to Niko about playing Kev Gardner in I Woke Up A Vampire, his upcoming episode of Circuit Breakers and his many voiceover roles including Rafael in Pinkalicious & Peterrific.
On screen, you play Kev Gardner in the Netflix comedy fantasy show I Woke Up A Vampire, can you tell us about the series and your character?
I Woke Up A Vampire tells the story of 13-year-old Carmie Henley. On her 13th birthday she starts experiencing strange sensations. For example: she can run very fast, jump really high, and most importantly, she has fangs! With help from her best friend Kev Gardner (which is my character), they navigate this crazy new world and come to find out that she is a vampling (half human, half vampire). Carmie and Kev are now faced with the challenge of her being a vampling while still having to overcome the typical teenage struggles of fitting in, friendship and love. My character, Kev Gardner, is Carmie’s best friend. He is a comic book aficionado, passionate writer, expert on EVERYTHING supernatural and a quirky but funny person. Kev has dedicated his life to studying Octavia Rhodes (Blended author) comics. When Kev finds out that Carmie is a mythic, he is nervous because he knows the challenges and dangers she faces but he is also a little bit excited because he is prepared for this moment and he is confident in his ability to guide and protect his best friend Carmie as she discovers her true self.
Do you remember how you felt finding out you’d booked the role for your first on-screen regular character and how do you find the experience on set?
Of course I remember! I was coming home from school and saw my parents through the window of my house. They looked ecstatic! I ran into the house to see what the news was and when I came inside, my agent told me that I booked the role. I cannot even explain the feeling! I was so proud and happy. All the work I put into the auditions, all the previous auditions that didn’t turn out… none of it seemed to matter anymore. All I could think about was how excited and happy I was to be on a project like I Woke Up A Vampire. My experience on set was beyond amazing and not one second went by where I was not having a blast! Each day was more and more exciting than the one before. The cast was an absolute pleasure to work with, the producers, directors and crew were so incredible and helpful throughout all of filming. Each director helped me to dig deep and discover new parts of my character. Tom Lynch and Ryan Lynch were absolutely fantastic, of course! They are the creative geniuses behind this entire series and the fact that I had the opportunity to work with them is a dream come true. I will forever be grateful for the experience they allowed me to have.
What is Kev like to play and what is it like filming opposite Kaileen Angelic Chang as Carmie Henley and with the rest of the cast?
Kev is an extremely complex character to play. He is smart, funny, a great friend and a little bit scared of the real world. He is also one of the bravest people I know. Kev will step up to anything or anyone if they try to mess with his friends, even if he knows he might not win the battle. Finding a balance of when to play into each emotion was my favourite part about him. In each scene, Kev has a different perspective. Kaileen was truly the best scene partner I could ask for. The more scenes we did together, the easier it was to act alongside each other. We became best of friends throughout the filming process so it was truly not a challenge to play best friends on screen. The whole cast was so easy to work with, we all had so much chemistry and an unbreakable bond.
Did you have a favourite episode to film in Series 1 and what are some of your stand-out highlights from working on the show so far?
My favourite episode to film from Season 1 had to be Creature Feature. This is because we got to travel all around the city and we just had the best time working, but also hanging out. I remember filming the last scene of the episode when Rainey is with the other dog and it was the cutest thing to watch. I also just loved filming with the dog on set. Some of my stand-out moments have to be filming any of the special effects or stunts, especially the scene in the episode called Siblings, when I shrink and fall off of the building. It was always my dream to work on a project with lots of special effects and stunts because I love seeing them come together with editing. I have also just always been intrigued by the behind the scenes and how different TV shows and movies look before special effects are worked in and yet how it all falls into place so seamlessly.
How did you feel when I Woke Up A Vampire was released on Netflix and what was it like watching the completed series for the first time?
It felt unreal when I Woke Up A Vampire was released. It was so exciting to finally share the finished product with my friends and family. There was quite a bit of editing and special effects that needed to be done in post production, so when I finally got to watch the show, it was like I was experiencing it for the first time. I invited all of my friends over for the premiere and even some of the local cast members! Experiencing the finished product for the first time with special people was one of the best nights of my life!
How was it guest-starring as Seattle Mr. O in an episode of Odd Squad in Series 3?
Playing Seattle Mr. O was a blast! It was such a full circle moment to work on a series like Odd Squad because I watched the show when I was younger! This role was really my first time experiencing what it was like to be on a professional set. I remember that as soon as I drove off the lot, I could not wait to get me back onto set and working. Another cool thing about guest-starring as Mr. O Seattle on the Odd Squad mobile unit episode called Mr O For A Day is that I got to work with Lisa Snow, who ironically enough is also one of the super talented directors on I Woke Up A Vampire.
Can you tell us about your Circuit Breakers episode Again and Again and what was it like to film as Felix?
Circuit Breakers is such an interesting show. Each episode is a new adventure with a different plot and brand new characters to discover. I really enjoyed playing Felix because he is funny, yet very serious and committed to his role as the school band captain. Unfortunately, I cannot say too much more about the episode as it is yet to be released so stay tuned.
You voice Rafael in Pinkalicious & Peterrific, what do you enjoy most about working on the series?
Like Odd Squad, me and my sister read the Pinkalicious books when we were younger so it was like reliving a part of my childhood. It was so exciting to be able to work on a franchise that is loved worldwide! My favourite part about working on Pinkalicious & Peterrific had to be creating a character that nobody had seen before in the books, since Rafael is introduced for the first time in the cartoon. This meant that I had creative control over Rafael and I was able to really play around with how I wanted him to be perceived by the kids watching.
How was it voicing Leonardo Da Vinci (Series 1) and Michelangelo (Series 2) in Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum?
I enjoyed voicing Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. They are both extraordinary renaissance men and they are both Italian, which is also my background. In fact, I specifically remember that when I sent in the auditions, they also asked me to do a take with an Italian accent so I got my nonno, which means grandfather in Italian, to coach me and let me tell you, it is not that easy to do, so props to the entire cast of House of Gucci.
Since Series 2 of Blue’s Clues & You, you have voiced the role of Cinnamon, how was it joining a well-known franchise and how is it getting into character?
Joining the cast of Blue’s Clues & You was such a blessing. I have been working with the casting director Allison Court for a long time. She is truly one of the most amazing people in the industry, so encouraging and supportive, in fact, I owe a major part of my success to her. She believed in me and my talent and the roles she cast me in really helped to kickstart my acting career. My character, Cinnamon, is such a bundle of joy and a very fun character to voice. The coolest thing about this show is that when I was little, I watched the original Blue’s Clues series. In fact, it was probably one of my favourite TV shows growing up.
How would you describe your character Pablo Flores in Clifford the Big Red Dog, and what are some of your favourite memories from working on the show over the years?
Pablo is a passionate musician and enjoys playing his ukulele. This is one of the reasons why I connected with him so deeply. I also am a singer/songwriter and express myself through my love of music. Clifford the Big Red Dog was one of the most important roles that I have ever booked. The reason for this is because when I went in for the audition, I made a deal with my dad. If I book this role, he would agree to buying me a puppy! Once it was confirmed that I was going to be joining the cast, we got my dog, Willow. My favourite memories from filming have to be going into the recording booth with the other cast members. Before COVID-19, I would record with the other characters face to face. This made it so easy to get into character and we were able to play off each other
Where does your love of screen and voice acting come from and how did you get into both?
When I was three years old, my parents played me classic movies like The Wizard of Oz and Annie, and I was so obsessed with them. When other kids played baseball and hockey, I memorised scripts and performed them for my friends, family and parents. At about seven years old, I was doing gymnastics, and one of the girls in my class — her mom was a stunt double — saw me sing and act and asked if I would be interested in acting. She referred me to her agent, who is now my agent, Megan McGregor. I love her so much and couldn’t ask for a harder working and caring agent.
Do you have any favourite films and TV shows to watch?
I have so many favourite movies and TV shows that it is really hard to narrow it down, but let me try. My favourite movies of all-time are Harry Potter (specifically the second movie), Jaws, The Little Mermaid (live-action), Madea, Priscilla and I, Tonya. My favourite TV series are Modern Family, Stranger Things and Wednesday.
How do you like to spend your time away from your career?
When I am not acting, I enjoy singing, which is my second passion. I also play the guitar, write music and/or scripts, cook/bake, dance and hang out with close friends.
What are you hoping 2024 brings for you and do you have any projects coming up that you can tell us about?
I would absolutely love to work on a drama, a horror movie or even a musical, which would allow me to use my singing and dancing skills as well. I love to push myself and to take on new characters that force me out of my comfort zone and help me to grow as an actor. I would also like to continue to write. Writing is one of my passions. I love to create and share stories of my own. Writing is also extremely therapeutic to me and I would love to one day have one of my movies/TV series produced!
I am thrilled to announce that I will reclaim the role as Kev in Season 2 of I Woke Up A Vampire, which airs on Netflix April 2024. I am not free to speak about any other projects at the moment, but you can follow what is upcoming by following me on TikTok, Instagram or my website.
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Categories: Film & TV, home, Interview, Young Performers