The Villains of Valley View premieres on Disney Channel June 3, where it will join previous franchises like Disney's Descendants in proving that sometimes bad guys really do have more fun. The new live-action series centers on a family of supervillains who find themselves forced to change their identities and live in hiding after daring to go up against the League of Villains. To no one but the protagonists' surprise, it turns out that disappearing into a normal life and keeping one's alter ego a secret is much harder than anticipated.
Sure to be the center of attention wherever she goes, teenage supervillain Havoc (played by stage-trained actress Isabella Pappas) tries to change her leopard's spots by befriend the eager and kindhearted Hartley (played by newcomer Kayden Muller-Janssen), who tries to teach her how to behave like a regular teen. But The Villains of Valley View doesn't forget about the parents either, as Surge (Lucy Davis, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and Kraniac (James Patrick Stuart, General Hospital) must learn to live like Eva and Vic (AKA Kraniac) for the sake of their kids.
Screen Rant spoke to Pappas and Muller-Janssen about how to befriend a supervillain, learning how to do stunts on set, and how the Disney Channel has shaped the actresses' own childhoods.
Screen Rant: How much fun are you having playing a slightly reformed villain working your way to normal humanity?
Isabella Pappas: I literally love it so much. I think that every week I get more and more and more into the character. And it's like now I'm so into the character that I can almost tell how she would react to situations in my real life. And sometimes I have to go, "What would Amy do?" because she's a lot more confident than I am, so let's see what she would do, and try and apply that to some of my real life situations.
But I love the character. From day one I [loved] the style, the makeup, the nails, the nostalgia. I mean, I've got probably 1000 Pinterest boards dedicated to costuming and makeup for it.
I love that you're so passionate about it. Speaking of passion, Hartley is a ball of sunshine from the start when we meet her. What is it like to step into that character, and how does she view Amy?
Kayden Muller-Janssen: Harley reminds me a lot of myself when I was younger. I was really known as the bubbly, energetic, always has a smile on her face kid. I really just applied that when it came to playing Hartley.
At first, when Hartley figures out about Amy's powers, I think she's shocked. Of course, because she does love her superheroes, so to find out that Amy is a villain was very shocking to her. But because of how kindhearted Hartley is, she always wants to see the good in everybody. And I really think that she saw how great of a person and how caring Amy could actually be. I think that's why she was really willing to just be there and help, and keep their secret instead of exposing them.
When I was speaking to Lucy and James, they talked about the practical effects and getting to actually be involved with that. Is that an experience that has been different and fun for both of you?
Isabella Pappas: Yes, definitely. Love it - I literally love it.
I worked a lot with the stunt coordinator, so for the first few episodes, I did not start out that coordinated. I didn't know how to fight. I'm dance trained, so when I tried to kick people, it looked like I was développé-ing. But I worked on it, and I actually get to do a lot of my own stunts.
I got to fall from a ceiling - attached to a wire, of course - but it was so fun. These are things that I never thought would be brave enough to do. Even though they're in a controlled environment, it's still scary. And I think that getting to do that is honestly one of my favorite parts about the show, and getting to do combat stuff.
I started weightlifting and working out loads since I got the show, because I wanted to be strong like the character. I think that doing the show has made me so much of a stronger and more confident person, for sure.
Kayden Muller-Janssen: She looks effortless while doing all of her stunts. She's awesome
Kayden, you're gonna be inspiring a new generation of little Disney viewers, which is so exciting. But what inspired you from Disney in your youth?
Kayden Muller-Janssen: It was kind of funny, because I was actually talking with my team, and I didn't even realize how much Disney really had a hold on my childhood. I was a baton twirler for nine years; I'd go to Disney World every year and baton twirl in the parade. Movie and shows, most of what I watched was from Disney Channel.
So, it's kind of ironic being on it now; looking up to that when I was a kid, watching Wizards of Waverly Place and all that. To have kids - little kids who used to be like me now look up to us? It's just insane. It's something crazy for me to comprehend in my head, because I always saw that onscreen and now we're going to be that.
But honestly, everything has been a dream. I've now made my best friend - Izzy and I are besties, and I couldn't ask for anything better. I have so much fun on set, and it's been awesome.
The Villains of Valley View Synopsis
When teenage supervillain Havoc stands up to the head of the League of Villains, her family is forced to change their identities and relocate to a sleepy Texas suburb. With the help of her effervescent new neighbor Hartley, Havoc - going incognito as “Amy” - must somehow hide her superpowers and quell her villainous nature in favor of something she and the rest of her family have fought against all their lives: being normal.
Check out our other interview with The Villains of Valley View stars Lucy Davis & James Patrick Stuart as well.
The Villains of Valley View premieres Friday, June 3 at 8/7c on Disney Channel. Disney+ will have the first five episodes available to stream beginning June 22.