The Wayfinders Star Evan Nikolas Fields Teases Season 2, Filming on Location, & His Favorite Games

Let me tell you about a real surprise from 2025: The Wayfinders. This Angel Studio series absolutely blew up, and it’s easy to see why. Think of it as a live-action anime, specifically the ‘Isekai’ genre where someone gets transported to another world. The show centers on Flynn Griffin, played brilliantly by Evan Nikoas Fields, a dedicated gamer who suddenly finds himself living inside a Dungeons & Dragons-style fantasy realm, trying to make a name for himself as a thief. It’s a fun ride!

Great news for fans of The Wayfinders: the show has been picked up for a second season, and filming starts in March! I recently spoke with Evan Nikolas Fields about his career, what it’s like working on The Wayfinders, his favorite video games, and his love for the Disney movie Treasure Planet.

TopMob: Like all great stories. Let’s start at the beginning. How’d you get your start in acting?

Evan Fields stumbled into acting almost by chance. He originally planned to take art or horticulture in middle school, but both classes were full. He ended up choosing a combined choir and drama elective. He enjoyed choir for a short time and learned proper breathing techniques, but it was a fantastic drama teacher, Mr. Amigo, who really sparked his passion. It started with an introductory drama class, and he was cast in the school play, which is where his acting journey truly began.

What play did you get into to start you out?

He created all of his plays from scratch – he both wrote the scripts and composed the music. I acted in a couple of them, including “One Busy Day” and “Beignet, Done That.” Later, in high school, I performed in Mark Twain’s play, “Is He Dead?”

You do a lot of primarily on-camera work. But do you have an affinity for the stage? Would you go back to theater and ever consider that kind of line of work?

I’d definitely be open to returning to theater. I began my career on stage, but after moving into film and television, I haven’t really had the chance to go back. Still, I really enjoy performing on stage.

Going into The Wayfinders itself – in The Wayfinders, each character has a class. Your character, Flynn, is a thief. What class do you think personally would you have in the Wayfinders world? Or are you in-line with Flynn in that regard?

You know, I don’t see myself as the one actually doing the stealing, but I’m definitely the planner. I’m the one who comes up with the idea, lays everything out… and honestly, we usually abandon the plan before it even gets off the ground. So, I’m not a thief in the traditional sense – I just like figuring things out.

The Wayfinders has a lot of Dungeons & Dragons influence. Are you a big DND fan?

I tried playing Dungeons & Dragons once for a project with Angel Studios, and I had a great time. I really enjoyed it, and Issy Knopfler, who plays Princess Aurora, has played a few times and also thought it was fun. I’d definitely be interested in playing again.

For sure. I know you’re a huge gamer. What are you playing right now?

Oh, that’s a great question. I’m really into Arc Raiders right now. You played this?

Yes, I have!

It’s amazing! I’m really hooked on this new part of the game. It lets you decide how you want to play – whether you want to be aggressive or focus on being friendly, and everything in between. It’s a lot of fun, and I’ve been playing it non-stop.

Are you more of a multiplayer game or single player?

I really enjoy playing this with others. It’s just more fun when you’re with friends, and it definitely adds some excitement! Overall, playing with friends makes the experience much better.

What’s your favorite video game of all time?

If I had to pick my all-time favorite video game, it would absolutely be the original Black Ops – Zombies. There’s just something about running maps like Kino der Toten with my friends that I’ll never forget! It’s probably a lot of nostalgia, but it’s definitely my top pick. And this might be a bit different, but I’ve also been really into The Colonists lately. It’s kind of like Catan, but way easier to play online, and honestly, it’s just a ton of fun.

The Wayfinders is a portal fantasy series, almost like a live action isekai anime. What video game world would you most want to be transported into?

I’m looking for a game that offers a lot of variety, kind of like Super Smash Bros. It lets you play with characters from different franchises – you can have Mario, Samus, Zelda, and many others, all in one game.

In what ways would you say you’re similar to the character of Flynn Griffin. How are you different?

I usually play Flynn as someone who lacks confidence and doesn’t think he’s capable. But when he’s around people who need his help, he really comes into his own and rises to the occasion, even when he’s unprepared. Playing this role felt relatable because this is the first time I’ve been a series regular on a show. I had to push myself and fully commit, even if I didn’t feel completely ready, and just learn as much as possible. In that way, I connected with Flynn’s journey.

Building off that, being such a prominent part of the show – being the protagonist –what work did you put into getting into the right headspace, defining and developing that character, in collaboration with the script and the direction itself?

I always make sure to read the script multiple times to fully understand my character’s journey and what I’m supposed to accomplish in the show. Knowing my character’s overall path helps me focus and consistently portray them, and repeated readings are key to that understanding.

I know that the pilot for The Wayfinders was filmed and developed a little bit before Angel Studios got involved. What’s the process in production been like since Angel took over?

Things have been going really well. The show’s production quality has improved, and I’ve met some fantastic people, like Chris, who helped me with press opportunities. Angel has been incredibly supportive, truly trusting our creative vision for the show. That’s all you can ask for in a collaborator – someone with integrity who provides everything you need.

Season 1 of The Wayfinders had six episodes, which is not too unusual or uncommon for the first season of a series. Heading forward, is that going to be consistent, or are there plans to bump up the episode count heading into Season 2 and onward?

Honestly, I’m really into the current format. I love that we get a new episode every week – it gives you something to anticipate. And the length feels just right, not rushed but not dragging on either. We’re doing six episodes, which is great, but they’re each a full hour long, so you really get your money’s worth!

Is the process of acting in a more special effects heavy show particularly different versus your comedy work and procedural drama work?

Yes, it’s similar to what you’d expect. When you see creatures like werebears or cyclops on the show, it definitely requires some imagination. I’m acting opposite a simple prop – a ball on a stick – but the audience needs to picture a massive monster pursuing me.

I’d love to break that down a little bit more. Do you find that particularly challenging versus being on set with physical actors you can look at who aren’t balls?

I expected the work to be harder, but it turned out to be surprisingly manageable. I’m really lucky to work with such talented actors; I often react to what they’re doing. Our director, Glen Winter, always prefers practical effects. For example, when we filmed a scene where we were running from a cyclops in a castle, instead of using a CGI effect, they created a physical prop – a 3D-printed cyclops face on a stick. A person in a blue suit operated the prop, acting and making sounds to bring it to life. That approach actually made it easier for me to visualize the scene and perform well.

What do you hope audiences understand and take away from your portrayal as Flynn in the show?

It’s important to believe in yourself and your skills, even when you feel unprepared. Facing unexpected challenges is often the hardest part, but overcoming them can actually build your confidence and help you discover what you’re truly capable of.

What do you hope to see from Flynn’s arc and story heading deeper into The Wayfinders?

He hopes to become a skilled thief, capable of planning heists for the crew and ultimately reuniting with his brother and returning home.

What’s been your favorite memory on the set of The Wayfinders so far?

We’ve had some incredible moments, especially filming at the Cliffs of Moher. It was amazing being there with friends, doing something I’m passionate about. The landscape was breathtaking – we were right on the edge! We even got special permission to get a little closer than usual. It was a bit scary, but also exhilarating – a really intense mix of emotions that made the whole experience unforgettable.

“Umami of emotions,” I really like that.

It was a mix of fun and nervousness, but overall, I was really excited – I was trying to capture all those feelings in just one word!

What’s the chemistry like on set?

I really love working with everyone here. My colleagues are amazing – they’re consistently positive and incredibly talented. A lot of them are from Europe, particularly the UK, and I’ve noticed many European actors have strong classical training. That means they’re always happy to share their knowledge and help me out, whether they’re actors or crew members. It’s a truly collaborative environment, and we’ve become close friends both on and off set.

Do you still keep in touch with everyone in between production?

We definitely have a group chat! Since a lot of us are based in Europe, we use WhatsApp to stay connected, and everyone gets along really well. I’m in California, and Vince Mattis, who plays Cash, used to live here too, but he’s now in South Carolina. We actually took a trip together through Europe after filming in Limerick, Ireland. We took the train to Dublin, spent some time there, and met with our hair stylist, Peter. Then we flew to London and Paris to hang out with the rest of the group. We’ve become really good friends outside of work.

It sounds like you guys film on location. Any plans to relocate?

Currently, there aren’t any new plans beyond what’s already in the works. We’ll be starting Season 2 soon, and I’ll be heading back to Ireland for filming. One of the best things about this show is how visually impressive it is. We avoid using green screens as much as possible, filming everything in real locations. If something looks like it was created with a green screen, it wasn’t! There’s one scene in particular, filmed in Dingle, where we hiked up a mountain beside a waterfall. We reached the peak, and the resulting shot – a wide, aerial view overlooking a steep drop – looks like it could be CGI, but it’s completely real. There’s a beautiful pond right there on top of the mountain, making the scene truly incredible.

What would you say are some of the benefits like filming on location versus being on a traditional set?

As an actor, it’s easier to really get lost in the role when the setting feels authentic. I’m playing a child stranded on another planet, and the filming locations are so unlike my home in Los Angeles that it truly feels like I’m there. It’s a completely different environment, and that really helps me connect with the character and the story.

What was your favorite scene to film this season?

Visually, the Cliffs of Moher were the most striking location. But one scene with my character, Calibor, really stands out. I have to repeatedly search for treasure he’s already stolen, which is frustrating, but I want to impress him because he’s a mentor figure. The scene has a great dynamic and I really enjoyed playing it.

Do you have any specific inspirations you call upon in your acting and take into the performance process?

I’m genuinely motivated by the people I’m surrounded by. It’s not just something I say – I truly believe that seeing others work so hard and excel encourages me to improve my own performance.

That camaraderie sounds great. Is there any actor or actress you’ve just been dying to share the screen with that you haven’t yet?

This might be a bit of a reach, but I often talk about this actor, David Johnson. He’s appeared in shows like Industry and The Long Walk, and he’s also in the new movie Alien: Romulus, as well as an upcoming film called Wasteman. I just really admire his work and would love the opportunity to act alongside him.

What’s your dream TV or film role?

If I could play any role in a movie or TV show, it would definitely be something in a heist story. I’m looking at a poster for Ocean’s 11 right now, and I just love the idea of playing a strategic, cool character involved in a clever robbery. It’s a really appealing type of role, no matter who you play.

So Wayfinders is a fantasy series. Are you a big fantasy fan yourself?

I’m a fan of fantasy, and I used to watch even more of it when I was younger. One of my favorites is Treasure Planet.

Oh, excellent choice.

I believe this is really overlooked and deserves more recognition. It’s actually much better than Atlantis, and I was definitely inspired by it when creating this.

100% better than Atlantis. Where would you like your career to go from here and how would you like to see it keep growing in the next few years?

I’ve been completely focused on filming Season 2 of The Wayfinders, and I’m thrilled with how it’s going. I’m also eager to expand my skills in all areas of filmmaking, both on and off screen, and I’m open to any new opportunities that come my way.

When does production begin for Season 2 of The Wayfinders?

I don’t have an exact pinpoint, but I’m supposed to go back sometime in March, so pretty soon.

That’s gonna come quick. Is there a full series plan for The Wayfinders? Do the writers know how many seasons the show will run?

I’m really not sure about the details. I don’t want to share anything until I’m certain. From what I understand, it will likely follow the same format as Season 1, but that’s all I know for sure. There’s a chance things could be different, and I haven’t been told about any changes.

Fair enough. Based on what you do know and can share, what’s next for The Wayfinders as we head into season 2?

We’re still trying to escape this situation and get back to normal. We’ll do whatever it takes – even if that means stealing or trading – to achieve our goal.

2026-02-06 05:11