Cory Grüter-Andrew – The 100

By starrymag | April 14, 2016

By: Lisa Steinberg

 

Q) We recently got to see you in “Legends of Tomorrow.” How many more episodes are there for you?

 

A) We don’t know because the character has just been introduced. Hopefully, I will be back!

 

Q) What was it like for you going from playing Aden on “The 100” to this new role as Per Degaton on “Legends of Tomorrow?”

 

A) Well the fan responses were very different! For Aden, I got, “He’s so cute! Aww!” For “Legends of Tomorrow” it was more, “I hate that kid! Bleh!” That was definitely interesting. It was also two different experiences playing these roles. It was a cool thing to do going from this sweet, innocent Grounder child to an evil fierce dictator.

 

Q) Do you see this “Legends of Tomorrow” character as an evil genius or a victim of circumstances?

 

A) I see him as he could have grown up to be anything. He could have been a scientist or an explorer, but the circumstances he was in really shifted his worldview.

 

Q) In the photo that was shared of him with this knife, people have speculated that it is Lexa’s knife in the picture.

 

A) [laughs] I have no idea! I definitely love the fans’ passion.

 

Q) Can you talk a little bit about what the embrace by the “Clexa” fans of you as Aden and you as an actor has meant to you?

 

A) It was a lot of support and it was very interesting because they were introducing me to all these stories that I didn’t know about. Then, of course, there is the mention of Clarke (Eliza Taylor) and Lexa (Alycia Debnam-Carey) being his moms. It was definitely an interesting idea!

 

Q) Did that surprise you at all?

 

A) It definitely came as a surprise to me. I downloaded Tumblr because of it so that I could see all of the fan art, which is my favorite thing. It did take me by surprise because I just thought Aden was just going to be Lexa’s protégé. I thought that it was  going to be a smaller role.

 

Q) Have you read any of the fanfiction or just the memes?

 

A) Oh yeah, I’ve read tons of stories on Tumblr! There were a couple pieces of fan art that I shared from Tumblr and it is really creative, the stories that people can come up with when they are really interested in something.

 

Q) In the death scene we see Aden is sprinkling this powder over Lexa. What was that like for you and did it make you feel like you were mourning a loss yourself as your character was doing it?

 

A) I felt like Aden was dealing with a really big death for him. He worried about what comes next for him as potentially the next Commander. As I said in another interview about Per Degaton, I had to get into a certain mindset. It was a lot easier because I was quite sad that Alycia was living leaving because she’s a nice person. I understood what the death of this character meant to the fans.

 

Q) Did Eliza Taylor offer any words of comfort to you behind the scenes?

 

A) She was supportive through the filming of the scene. It was sad that Alycia had to go.

 

Q) What did you think of Clarke and Lexa’s dynamic? Did you see them as being in love?

 

A) Yeah, I did think they were in love with each other. It’s kind of a funny thing because for Lexa these people come crashing down from the sky and she finds her soul-mate I did think they were deeply in love.

 

Q) We saw Lexa blurring lines between seemingly motherly and mentor. What did you think of their dynamic?

 

A) Lexa was not just a mentor to Aden, I think. The Nightbloods are all taken from their villages to Polis to be with the Commander to fight in the Conclave. I think that because Aden didn’t have parents that Lexa was the closest thing to a mother that he had. I definitely think there is was more than just a teacher-student relationship there.

 

Q) If Aden had become Commander, what do you think his first move would have been?

 

A) Aden’s first move I think would be to try to form more of an alliance with the Skaikru because with them being the thirteenth clan right now is a bit shaky. And he would probably put a kill order on Pike because he’s just not a good guy to the Grounders.

 

Q) What have you taken away from your experiences being a part of “The 100” and getting to work with two talented actresses like Alycia and Eliza?

 

A) It’s given me a lot of experience as an actor to hang out with these two amazing people. I was already a fan of “The 100” so it was awesome that I got to work with the people that I had always wanted to work with. It was my favorite show! It was really inspiring to experience that and I just thought it was awesome.

 

Q) What was your favorite behind the scenes moment with Alycia on “The 100?”

 

A) The fight scene was really nice. We had some great conversations there.

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and your time on the show?

 

A) I love their support with “The 100” and I want to say thank you. It was almost overwhelming the fan support I received and I really appreciate it.