Kayden Koshelev is set to be seen in the supporting lead role of Brian Bither in the upcoming horror feature film Within (working title), which stars Heather Graham and is based on a real story with no release date announced as yet. In Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire and Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver, Kayden plays Finn for Netflix, and he was directed by Zack Snyder, and he has had numerous guest roles including playing Chef Landon in How I Met Your Father, Oliver in Bunk’d and Jack in 9-1-1: Lone Star. Further projects for Kayden have included playing Linus in the Netflix comedy film Me Time, which starred Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg, with Kayden performing Hallelujah alongside Kevin, joining Series 5 of Search Party as recurring character Aspen, and he played Max in Night Court, Ang in Shameless and Brandon Jaynes in the feature film Grimcutty. Also having voiceover experience, Kayden voices Cory in Firebuds on Disney Junior for his first recurring voiceover character, and as a theatre actor, he played Brendan in Drag: The Musical in 2022 at the Bourbon Room in Hollywood, reprising his role when the musical returned last year, and he’s played Oliver in Oliver! and Schwartz in A Christmas Story. Earlier this year, Kayden filmed a national commercial and a guest role on a TV show, with both being unannounced projects, and this month, he attended The 48 Hour Film Project as a filmmaker and will be graduating from high school. We talked to Kayden about filming for the upcoming horror feature film Within (working title), playing Linus in the Netflix comedy film Me Time, appearing as Brendan in Drag: The Musical and voicing Cory in Firebuds for Disney Junior.
As a voice actor, you play Cory in Firebuds for Disney Junior, how are you finding the experience voicing your first recurring voiceover character?
I love voiceover because it really allows you to play more with characters and really go all out. When it came to Cory, I loved playing them so much because having that type of representation out there for kids to see is very important, so I’m just extremely lucky to have been able to take on that role.
It has been announced that you will be playing the supporting lead role of Brian Bither in the upcoming horror feature film Within starring Heather Graham, is there anything you can say about this?
I don’t think I’m allowed to go that much into it quite yet but I can say that it was one of my favourite projects I’ve ever worked on and I met a lot of really awesome people. It was also probably the least stressful set I’ve ever been on and it truly was just a wonderful experience.
What are you looking forward to for the release of Within, and who do you think will enjoy watching it?
Well, I think that since it’s based on a real story and it remains one of the most chilling cases because of just how many people claim to have seen it and the effect it had on them, I think people who are fascinated with cold cases and unsolved mysteries will love it. If you’re just a horror fan, you are sure to love it as well.
How was it playing Finn in Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire and Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver for Netflix and being directed by Zack Snyder?
I want to start by saying the set was absolutely insane, I literally felt like I was on a different planet. I also had a lot of fun times with the rest of the kids cast for sure and Zack is such a visionary and it was so cool working with him.
You have had guest roles in shows including How I Met Your Father as Chef Landon, Bunk’d as Oliver and 9-1-1: Lone Star as Jack, what were your episodes of these series like to film?
I love being a guest star because it’s kind of like you get glimpses into different realities and you see how the show functions and get to be a part of it for the time that you are there. Then you get to move onto the next!
In 2022, you played Linus in the Netflix comedy film Me Time starring Kevin Hart and Mark Wahlberg, in which you performed Hallelujah in a scene alongside Kevin Hart, what are some of your favourite memories from your time on set?
Me Time was also just so fun overall and I remember thinking the recording studio was so cool because it felt like I had a whole room of just space to myself and the sound quality when I was in there was great. Kevin Hart himself was soooo funny! I remember him asking me if that was my real voice when we were filming the scene and he was really impressed which literally made my year.
How was it joining the cast of Search Party in Series 5 as recurring character Aspen?
I LOVED playing Aspen so much. Something about being a sociopath is just so fun, especially that type of character because he just kind of does his thing and that was my favourite role I’ve ever gotten to play 100%. I also remember being so inspired by the lead actors because they were all so funny and really amazing people.
Can you tell us about some of your further projects, which have included Spirit Rangers as Sam (animated series), Night Court as Max, Diary of a Future President as Melvin, Shameless as Ang, Chicago Med as Ben Davis (live-action series), Grimcutty as Brandon Jaynes and The Tragedy of Macbeth as Apparition Boy (feature films)?
Night Court was another one that was so much fun for me because every single person there was so funny and I was so amazed with their timing and their improv skills.
Grimcutty was great because I remember in the scene where I’m being choked, but Grimcutty is invisible, I was in a harness lifted in the air while filming it – and it was so much fun! Everyone kept asking if I wanted to come down or if I was scared but I was just having the time of my life up there.
Shameless was hilarious because obviously at that age I didn’t know how big the show was or even what it was about, just that I definitely couldn’t watch it.
Pretty much every role I’ve ever taken has meant something special to me and I learn so much every single time I step onto a set.
You are also an experienced theatre performer, and played Brendan in Drag: The Musical at the Bourbon Room in Hollywood in 2022 and reprised the role in the musical’s return last year, how would you describe Brendan and how was it taking on the role?
Brendan will forever hold a place in my heart along with that entire show for both times. It was also another very important role and I was just glad I got to play it. Everyone there literally felt like family to me. The last time I performed, it was the end of my ballad and I could barely get to the end because I was tearing up so much, knowing that was my last performance.
What did you enjoy most about performing in Drag: The Musical and what was it like working with the rest of the cast?
I think just the people at the end of the day were what made it so magical but also the show itself was just genius and I loved being a part of it so much. I’m still close with many of the queens and some of the other cast as well and I truly do love them all.
Your previous theatre roles include Oliver in Oliver! and Schwartz in A Christmas Story, what were these productions like to be part of?
A Christmas Story and Oliver! felt like vacations to me. It was a lot of hard work but since they both had such huge kids casts, it was so much fun every day. I have permanent friends from both of those shows and people who I basically talk to daily. The Ahmanson was huge and I remember being so intimidated the first time we went to go see it.
At the start of August, you attended The 48 Hour Film Project, can you tell us about this?
Yes! The 48 Hour Film Project is a tradition at this point and I love doing it so much! I look forward to it every summer. I am also the youngest team leader out of over 100 teams, so that’s fun but I also know people are watching me and want to know what I create. This year felt extra special because we had so much talent. Every single cast and crew member went above and beyond.
Do you have a favourite aspect of filmmaking and how is it seeing your projects come together?
Writing with my uncle is so much fun and then getting to act with my best friends is amazing. Also, something about having so little time to make something is very exhilarating. It makes you think quickly and trust your instincts. Usually, as an actor, I walk onto a set and everything is just waiting for me; my script, my wardrobe, the sets, etc… the 48 films are all created by our incredible team, so I have a say in every aspect as the team leader. It’s a lot of pressure but it’s good pressure. It creates something special. I can’t wait for people to see this year’s film!
Where does your love of acting and filmmaking come from and how did you get started in the industry?
I think I’ve had it in me forever and that’s why I was so motivated from such a young age and I also just always loved creating characters or scenes. I got started by auditioning for an agency in Chicago at five and I was supposed to sing 30 seconds of a song but I ended up singing the entire thing which was roughly four minutes. And somehow they just sat there and listened and applauded when I was done. I loved them so much and they really jump-started my whole career.
How do you like to spend your free time?
Recently I’ve picked up a lot more hobbies like martial arts, soccer lessons and drumming. Of course, playing video games is also something I like to do and other things like art and writing.
What are some of your favourite films and TV shows to watch?
I love all types of shows but my favourite genres are mystery and sitcom. So those are also kind of my dream roles. I love things that are more psychological as well.
Do you have any projects coming up that you can talk about and what are you hoping the rest of this year brings for you?
I am anxiously waiting to hear when Within (working title still) will premiere. Cannot wait for that news! I also did a national commercial and a guest spot on a TV show earlier this year – can’t say much on that yet either but maybe we will see them before the end of the year. As for the rest of this year, I never know! I have been auditioning like everyone else. I am also graduating this month (August) from high school and turning 16 in September, so I will be celebrating with my friends and cannot wait for that! I just plan to keep working on what I love and trying to expand my skills wherever I can.
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