Interview: Maxwell Acee Donovan
Interview by Lindsey V. Britt
Known for playing Wesley on the Disney Channel series Gabby Duran and the Unsittables, Maxwell Acee Donovan is an actor, aspiring director, and environmentalist. Currently starting as Nate on Netflix’s That ‘90s Show. And as Ethan on the upcoming series The Better Sister.
Part 3 of That ‘90s Show just came out, and Kira Kosarin played your love interest Betsy Kelso for a few episodes, what was it like working with her after working on The Thundermans together?
It was so much fun! Kira is a wonderful person and actor, and is such a joy to work with. It was definitely fun taking a stroll down memory lane with The Thundermans, as that was actually one of the very first projects I did! I remembered that whole cast being so lovely, welcoming, and warm, and that remained true when reunited on ‘90s. Plus, Betsy kept cracking me up!
I’m a huge fan of That ‘90s Show and I love the episode about the wrestling convention, I was wondering if you like wrestling as much as your character Nate likes wrestling?
Wrestling is awesome!! I am definitely not as well-versed as Nate is (I think he might be a wrestling genius), but I do love the occasional match. Plus, growing up my friends and I would recreate wild RKO’s as often as possible!
What can you tell us about your upcoming project The Better Sister?
Well, most of all that I’m SO EXCITED! It’s an incredible project, and I’m truly in awe of the entire team behind it. Our showrunners, directors, producers, and of course the unreal cast - everyone is a force of nature. Based on the novel by Alafair Burke, “this is the story of Chloe (Played by Jessica Biel), who moves through the world with her handsome lawyer husband Adam (Corey Stoll) and teenage son Ethan (played by me!) by her side, while her estranged sister Nicky (Elizabeth Banks) struggles to stay clean and hustles to make ends meet. When Adam is brutally murdered, the prime suspect sends shockwaves through the family, laying bare long-buried secrets.” I know it’s a heavy subject matter, but it has been the most rewarding and warm shoot! Can’t wait to share more!
I heard you’re a huge Ryan Reynolds fan, what about him inspires you?
You heard right - I’m a HUGE Ryan Reynolds fan! One thing about him I find so inspiring is his ability to work both in front of and behind the camera. I went to the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where I studied filmmaking, and am now attending (when I can) DePaul University in their film program. From a young age, I was very lucky to discover the passion I have for film, and how much I love being on a set. And honestly just how much I love being involved in this industry. So, I turned to one of my favorite actors to see what all he does that I might be able to mimic! When the first Deadpool came out, I actually wasn’t allowed to see it (probably the right call, Mom), but I was still super inspired by how actively involved he was in the process of getting it made, from development all the way to promotion. In each project of his I’ve seen since, he fulfilled that same role - and that’s something I’d love to hone my skills to be able to do. Plus, he’s one the funniest guys out there!
The new Deadpool & Wolverine movie just came out. If you had to pick either Deadpool or Wolverine which one would you choose and why?
This is an IMPOSSIBLE question! Growing up, my favorite superhero was Wolverine, and then, as soon as I was allowed to see it, Deadpool became my favorite movie. I think I’m just going to have to pick both! Maybe that works since Deadpool claims he’s no hero? BRB, binging all of their movies again…
As a fellow Marvel fan I know they love to reboot franchises such as Spider-Man with the different dimensions. If you could play any Marvel character in the cinematic universe who would it be?
While there are a ton of incredible options (and honestly I’d do anything to work on a Marvel project), one has been sticking out to me in recent years. I would love to play Richard Rider AKA Nova in the MCU. He is such a nuanced character, and one we haven’t gotten to meet in live action yet. I’ve been studying up on his comics, and trying to get my butt into superhero shape - fingers are super crossed! Plus, he’s connected to the Guardians of the Galaxy, and I’ve always thought a Star-Lord prequel would be another dream casting!
Your organization Nature’s Negotiators has been doing great work for the environment. How much progress do you think the environment has made in recent years, especially since the pandemic?
Thank you! It’s been a ton of fun getting off the ground, and we’ve been seeing a lot of great progress! I think one amazing thing that came from the tough years of the pandemic was seeing the environment bounce back to a certain degree. It provided hope for a lot of people - which is one of Nature’s Negotiators’ missions - that this seemingly insurmountable issue of climate change can be remedied, especially through grassroots efforts that whittle away at the larger issue one step at a time. If anything, the rhetoric is more powerful now than ever, which is extremely exciting! We got this!
With you and your sister Clare both being actors, is there a dream project you would like to work on together?
Honestly, it would be so much fun to work on any project with my sister - she’s the best! She has been studying at Second City for the last four years, and is a fantastic writer. I see her ending up on SNL soon, so maybe if she’s there I’d be able to guest star in a few sketches! Or, shooting for the stars, host an episode with her! We have always wanted to be a sibling team in Hollywood, like John and Joan Cusack. And it would be so much fun to star in a project she’s written that I might get to direct. We have a few coming down the pipeline that we’ve been working on getting made, so we’ll see!
With all your different interest, where do you hope your career will be in 10 Years?
Well, I hope that I’ll have been able to establish a foot in both camps, acting and directing. I would love to do a couple of movies, maybe an action film (Marvel!) or a disaster movie like Twisters! All in all, I just want to be sure I stay in this industry, whatever that ends up looking like.
Since living in L.A. from Colorado, who’s be the biggest celebrity you’ve seen out in the wild?
Oh man! Honestly, the other day I saw Nathan Lane at the movie theater, and was definitely pretty starstruck! Also, I have a vivid memory of meeting Dominic Monaghan in Burbank when I was 11 - that was pretty awesome!
On the other hand, do you have a favorite experience of a fan recognizing you out in the wild?
I do! I was at the San Diego Zoo with one of my good friends (we were there to see the baby Capybaras - highly recommended) and I had someone tap me on the shoulder at the Snow Leopard enclosure, which genuinely made me jump (I thought the leopard had gotten me). They were lovely and said they had just watched ‘90s Show, and wanted to congratulate me on the show! Such a fun memory all the way around!
Is there a decade you wish you could live in, or at least visit?
Well, I might be a bit biased, but I would love to visit the 70s. I would make sure to see all of my favorite bands and artists as many times as possible, and maybe try out the Almost Famous experience. All around, that decade seems like the best.
If you could be on a reboot/sequel of another series which one would it be?
I always used to say ‘70s Show, so I really feel like I manifested this one! Another of my favorite shows is Supernatural (SO GOOD), so if they ever do another one in that universe - I’m there. Also, I just saw they’re doing Oceans 14…That would be incredible.
Do you have any other projects currently in the works?
Right now I’m waiting on news about a potential season 3 of That ‘90s Show, so hopeful about that! Other than that, I am wrapping up on The Better Sister, and have a few auditions out there - hoping something will be coming down the pipeline soon!
Last question, do you have a recommendation? Now this can be anything from a movie, advice, place to visit, anything you can imagine.
I have a very random recommendation for a snack that shouldn’t work but does. You get those giant sourdough pretzels from Costco, and pour some in a bowl. Then you cover them with dried cranberries and boom - the sweet and salty snack to end all sweet and salty snacks. Another random rec - in my hometown in Colorado (Glenwood Springs) there is an amazing natural hot springs pool, I highly recommend it! Any excuse for people to explore CO! Thank you so much!!
You can catch Maxwell on That ‘90s Show streaming now on Netflix, and on The Better Sister coming soon.
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