Lyon Daniels has recently finished filming for the upcoming feature film Shiver, which is based on Maggie Stiefvater’s book of the same name from the young adult fantasy novel series The Wolves of Mercy Falls. In the TV adaptation of The Spiderwick Chronicles, Lyon played lead character Jared Grace, with Christian Slater playing Mulgarath, and in 2020, he had his feature film debut playing Noodles in the standalone and legacy sequel of The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl – We Can Be Heroes – with Robert Rodriguez as the director. For Lyon’s first screen role, he played Efram in Series 1 of Patriot in 2017. Catching up with Lyon, we found out about filming for the upcoming feature film Shiver, his lead role of Jared Grace in The Spiderwick Chronicles and playing Noodles in We Can Be Heroes.
You have recently been filming for the upcoming feature film Shiver, how has filming been going and is there anything you can tell us about the project?
Filming Shiver was an incredible experience. The story has such a rich, emotional core, and bringing Maggie Stiefvater’s world to life has been both challenging and rewarding. The atmosphere on set is amazing, there’s a deep sense of respect for the book and its characters, and everyone is committed to capturing the magic and intensity of the story.
What I can say is that fans of the novel will feel the same heart and soul that made Shiver so special. It’s a story about love, identity, and transformation, and we’re working hard to stay true to that while also making it visually stunning and deeply cinematic. Without giving too much away, you can expect the tension and emotion of the story to be amplified in ways that will really pull you in. We’re all excited for people to see it come to life.
What are you looking forward to for the release of Shiver and who do you think will enjoy watching it?
I’m really looking forward to seeing how audiences react to the supernatural elements and the way we’ve brought the wolves to life on screen. Shiver isn’t just a love story, it’s a tale that blends the beauty and danger of the natural world with an emotional, supernatural twist.
I think fans of the book will love how the wolves and the unique mythology surrounding them are portrayed, and anyone who enjoys stories with mystery, romance, and a touch of the otherworldly will be drawn in. It’s going to be an unforgettable experience.
In the recent TV adaptation of The Spiderwick Chronicles, you starred as leading character Jared Grace, what drew you to the series and how was it finding out you’d booked the role?
What drew me to The Spiderwick Chronicles was the incredible mix of adventure, fantasy, and heartfelt storytelling. Jared Grace is such a layered character, he’s brave and determined, but he’s also dealing with a lot of emotions and struggles that make him so relatable. I loved the opportunity to explore those complexities while diving into this magical, otherworldly world.
Finding out I’d booked the role was surreal. It’s one of those moments you dream about as an actor, especially with a story as beloved as this one. I felt a mix of excitement and responsibility to do justice to Jared and the world of The Spiderwick Chronicles.
What did you enjoy most about being part of The Spiderwick Chronicles and how did you prepare for filming?
What I enjoyed most about being part of The Spiderwick Chronicles was working with the creatures and the practical effects. It was such a unique experience to interact with puppets, animatronics, and other practical elements on set, it really helped bring the magical world to life in a tangible way. It’s one thing to imagine fantastical creatures, but to actually see and work alongside them made it so much more immersive and exciting.
To prepare for filming, I spent a lot of time understanding Jared as a character – his emotions, his relationships, and the challenges he faces. I also worked on how to physically react to the creatures, since the interaction is such a key part of the story. It was a blend of imagination and collaboration with the effects team, and it all came together in such a seamless way.
How would you describe Jared and what was he like to play?
Jared is such a fascinating character. He’s brave, resourceful, and fiercely loyal to his family, but he’s also grappling with a lot of inner turmoil. He feels misunderstood and struggles with anger and frustration, which makes him incredibly relatable and human. What I love most about Jared is his resilience, despite everything he’s been through, he never gives up on the people he loves or on figuring out his place in the world.
Playing him was a rewarding challenge because he’s so layered. I got to explore his vulnerability and his strength, as well as his growth throughout the story. Balancing his emotional journey with all the action and fantasy elements made it such a dynamic and exciting role to take on.
What was it like bringing The Spiderwick Chronicles back to screens and how did you feel watching the completed series for the first time?
Bringing The Spiderwick Chronicles back to screens was an incredible experience. The series is so beloved, and we all felt a responsibility to honour the magic of the original books while introducing the story to a new generation. It was amazing to revisit this world with updated visuals and storytelling that really dive into the heart of the characters and the rich mythology.
Watching the completed series for the first time was surreal. Seeing all the hard work from the incredible practical effects and CGI to the performances and the emotional beats come together was so rewarding. It really brought back the wonder I felt reading the books as a kid.
Do you have any stand-out highlights from your time on set as Jared that you can tell us about?
One of the biggest highlights from my time on set as Jared was working with Christian Slater. He’s such a talented actor, and the cat-and-mouse dynamic between our characters added so much tension and energy to the scenes we shared. Christian brought this incredible intensity to his role, which really pushed me to step up my game and made those moments so much more engaging.
Another highlight was how much fun we had crafting that dynamic. There’s this constant push-and-pull between Jared and Mulgarath, and bringing that to life with Christian was both challenging and exciting. He was also incredibly generous on set, offering advice and collaborating to make every scene the best it could be. Those interactions are something I’ll never forget.
You made your feature film debut in 2020 when you played Noodles in We Can Be Heroes – the standalone and legacy sequel to The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lavagirl, how was it getting into character as Noodles and being directed by Robert Rodriguez?
Playing Noodles in We Can Be Heroes was such an exciting experience, especially as a kid stepping into the world of feature films. Noodles was such a fun character to play, his power was so unique, and I loved finding ways to make his flexibility both comedic and heroic.
Working with Robert Rodriguez was incredible. He has this amazing energy and creativity that made the set feel like one big playground. He really encouraged us to bring our own personalities to the characters, which helped me feel more confident and connected to Noodles. As a kid, being directed by someone with such a strong vision was inspiring, and it’s an experience that’s stayed with me ever since.
What was it like working on a superhero film for Netflix and what are some of your favourite memories from playing Noodles?
Working on a superhero film for Netflix was an incredible experience. It was my first time stepping into the superhero genre, and it felt like a real adventure. The whole process, bringing Noodles to life, seeing the visual effects, and getting to be part of a larger than life story was so much fun. The energy on set was contagious.
One of my favourite memories was the teamwork aspect. Noodles may have had his unique abilities, but it was really about how the team came together and supported each other. There were some hilarious moments on set too, especially with the action scenes. A lot of those scenes required a lot of physical comedy, and just having fun with those moments made the experience so memorable. It was also really rewarding to be part of a film that blended superhero action with heart, showing that anyone can be a hero, no matter how big or small.
How was it seeing the fan response to the release, and how much did you know about Sharkboy and Lavagirl before filming?
Seeing the fan response to We Can Be Heroes was truly incredible. The film resonated with so many people, and it was amazing to see how excited fans were to revisit the world of Sharkboy and Lavagirl while also embracing the new characters. The enthusiasm and positivity from fans really made the whole experience feel even more rewarding, especially since many grew up with the original and were eager to see how it all connected.
As for Sharkboy and Lavagirl, I was familiar with it before filming. I remember watching it as a kid, so stepping into this world felt like a full-circle moment. I didn’t fully understand the legacy of the film until I was on set and heard stories from the cast and crew. It was exciting to be part of such a beloved universe and to contribute my own piece to the story.
What do you remember most from playing Efram in Series 1 of Patriot for your first screen role in 2017?
Playing Efram in Patriot was a great experience, especially since it was my first time on a set. It was a smaller guest star role, but it gave me a chance to dip my toes into acting and learn from such a talented cast and crew. It was a fun and memorable introduction to the industry.
I also received a great piece of advice from my co-star Michael Chernus. Michael told me that when he was on set filming a movie with Will Smith, he was told not to stress too much because “movies are made in pieces”. That really stuck with me.
How did you get into acting and was it something you always wanted to do professionally?
I’ve always had a love for movies and, growing up, I was constantly exposed to so many different genres and stories. That passion for storytelling naturally evolved into an interest in acting. I was captivated by how films could evoke such strong emotions and transport you into different worlds. It felt like something I was meant to explore.
Acting professionally became a dream when I realised how much I enjoyed being part of that creative process. Deep down it was something I wanted to pursue. Over time, I found opportunities to get involved and eventually stepped into acting full-time, and it’s been such a fulfilling journey.
Do you have any favourite films and TV shows to watch, and how do you like to spend your time away from acting?
I’m a huge movie lover, so I try to watch a film every day and keep track of them on my Letterboxd. As of now, my top four are The Fly, Come and See, Synecdoche, New York, and The Green Mile, though that always changes depending on what I’m in the mood for. I’m really drawn to films that are emotionally powerful, thought-provoking, or have unique storytelling.
When I’m not acting, I love spending my time writing scripts, which helps me explore my creativity in different ways. I also enjoy reading, and playing guitar, which is a great way for me to unwind. Those activities allow me to recharge and stay inspired for my next projects.
What do you enjoy most about being an actor and filming for screen?
What I enjoy most about being an actor is the opportunity to disappear into a role and fully immerse myself in someone else’s world. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about shedding your own identity and becoming another person, experiencing their emotions, challenges, and growth. Filming for screen allows for such a dynamic, collaborative process, where you get to work closely with talented directors, actors, and crew to bring a story to life in a unique way. It’s the perfect combination of creativity, vulnerability, and teamwork, and that’s what makes it so rewarding for me.
What are you hoping 2025 brings for you and do you have any further projects coming up that you can tell us about?
For 2025, I’m really excited about continuing to grow as an actor and exploring new, darker, and challenging roles. Right now, Shiver is the big project on the horizon. It was an amazing experience, and I’m excited to share it with everyone. I’m eager to see where this journey takes me.
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