Andi Mack is one of the most popular shows on Disney Channel and has been getting attention from the  very beginning. The show tackles subjects such as anxiety, teen pregnancy, and more- and fans are loving the progressive show! In the season 2 premiere, Andi Mack tackled a first for children’s television: the main character’s friend, Cyrus, admitted that he had feelings for another boy. And Cryus’s confession struck a chord with fans, receiving praise for its realistic portrayal on a kids show. Young Entertainment Mag sat down with Andi Mack star Joshua Rush, who plays Andi’s friend Cyrus. Joshua spoke about his groundbreaking character and what’s ahead for the show’s 3rd season!

Young Entertainment Mag: What’s your favorite thing about playing Cyrus on Andi Mack?
Joshua Rush: My favorite thing about playing Cyrus has been the fan reactions. It’s amazing to be able to play this character that is so poignant to so many people no matter where they are watching the show. So I feel like people are seeing Cyrus, and in Cyrus are seeing themselves. It’s an amazing feeling to be able to have when playing a character.

YEM: At the beginning of Season 2, Cyrus admitted to Buffy that he had feelings for Jonah. That scene was so groundbreaking. Did you approach it differently because it was such an iconic scene?
Joshua: Sofia [Wylie, who plays Buffy] and I definitely knew the gravity of the scene and the importance that it held. We definitely held it to that high standard. At the time we lived in the same apartment building-which was so fun! The night before [filming the scene], we just stayed up until like 1 in the morning doing our lines together and telling stories and laughing and crying, and just getting into the emotion of the scene. And that night made that day [of filming the scene] so much more poignant and so much more important. I think you can feel it in the chemistry of the scene, which makes me so glad.

YEM: Speaking of Sofia, Buffy is in the process of moving away. Will Buffy be back on the show for season 3?
Joshua: I can tell you that Buffy will be back for season 3! We’ve seen in the recent episodes that aired that Buffy actually does come back to stay.

YEM: Will there be more scenes between Buffy and Cyrus?
Joshua: Absolutely!

YEM: The creator of Andi Mack, Terri Minsky, worked on shows such as Lizzie McGuire. Were you familiar with her work when you auditioned?
Joshua: I had seen Lizzie McGuire and I knew how cool it was that Terri was coming back and creating another show for Disney Channel. But the team she created as well is so great, especial

The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles– it’s crazy! And then she came to Disney Channel to help us create this show. Between Terri Minsky and Michelle Manning, we have something really, really amazing. And you can just feel it when they’re on set together. There’s something absolutely amazing that happens between. There’s something so powerful that comes together when you have two showrunners that are so cool like that.

 

YEM: The creator of Andi Mack, Terri Minsky, worked on shows such as Lizzie McGuire. Were you familiar with her work when you auditioned?
Joshua: I had seen Lizzie McGuire and I knew how cool it was that Terri was coming back and creating another show for Disney Channel. But the team she created as well is so great, especially Michelle Manning. She has so much history in the industry. I mean she’s been a part of such historic movies- The Breakfast Club, Sixteen Candles– it’s crazy! And then she came to Disney Channel to help us create this show. Between Terri Minsky and Michelle Manning, we have something really, really amazing. And you can just feel it when they’re on set together. There’s something absolutely amazing that happens between. There’s something so powerful that comes together when you have two showrunners that are so cool like that.

YEM: Cyrus is having a unique relationship with TJ on the show. Will we see more scenes between the two?
Joshua: I can tell you that there are definitely more scenes with TJ, and TJ is back in season 3. But I can’t tell you the nature of those! I know everyone wants to know, is it Jyrus? Is it Tyrus? I know, I know, but I can’t spoil it!

YEM: What was it like to film the muffin scene with TJ? The muffins looked so yummy!
Joshua: Oh man! We ate so many muffins! Whenever we have a scene that involves food, we end up eating so much of it. They can try to stop us, but they won’t! I’m gonna eat! It can definitely be fun but it can also be kind of dangerous since we’re throwing around thousands of cookies! We can get really full really fast!

YEM: Yeah, but when else do you have the chance to have a cookie and muffin fight?
Joshua: Oh, let me tell you, the cookie and muffin fight was incredible! Probably some of the most fun we’ve ever had on set. That was so, so amazing and wild- I probably ate too many muffins that day. But it’ definitely cinematic and visuals!

YEM: Does the cast help come up with cool phrases on the show like “The Good Hair Club”? Or is that all in the script?
Joshua: I think for some of season one we would play around with the lines and improvise a little bit, but for the most part, the writers are so good and they understand us really well. They’ve all spent a lot of time with us. So we all know each other and we know the writers, so when we get a script we kind of know what to expect based on who the writer is. They know us so well, so they just have it down.

YEM: So does that mean that Cyrus is becoming more like you? How much do you have in common with Cyrus?
Joshua: I have so much in common with my character! I think we’ve both got this really strong sense of humor that we lead with. I think we’re both fiercely loyal friends. I think I have a lot in common with Cyrus and I think that comes from the strong relationship that we have with the writers and showrunners.

YEM: Can you tell us anything about what’s ahead for Cyrus in Season 3?
Joshua: There’s definitely a lot coming for Cyrus. There’s a lot more surprises, a lot more exciting moments.

YEM: Do you have any other projects in the works other than Andi Mack Season 3?
Joshua: Season 3 has been my primary focus right now. But I’m also working on a new show that I can’t talk about yet, so there is something coming very soon. And going to school. It’s been hard balancing school and everything else, but this year has been really fun. It’s been better than ever this year.

The second season finale of Andi Mack airs tonight on Disney Channel!