Meet Luciano Leroux, series regular on the upcoming Peacock series, “Teacup.” We got to chat with Luciano about his upcoming series and about his charity, Act for Kids Jugando.
“Teacup” is a horror thriller series that follows a disparate group of people in rural Georgia who must come together in the face of a mysterious threat in order to survive.
“Teacup” also stars Kathy Baker, Boris McGiver, Caleb Dolden, Emilie Bierre, Yvonne Strahovski, Scott Speedman, and Chaske Spencer.
Our interview with Luciano has been edited for clarity.
So it was recently announced that you have joined the cast of “Teacup,” but there hasn’t been a whole lot said about it yet. What can you tell us about “Teacup?”
Luciano: Well, that’s a difficult question. I can’t say too much for obvious reasons, but I can say that it’s going to be a thriller show. It’s going to have some hints of horror, a lot of suspense and some great, great acting involved. The cast is super, super nice and I feel like we all get along really well, which is really important. And we’re all excited to do the show.
That’s awesome. Are you allowed to say who you play?
Luciano: My name is Nicholas [Shanley].
Is that all you can tease?
Luciano: I think so. Yeah, without getting into trouble.
That’s fair, I don’t want to get you in trouble. So the only thing I really know about this show is that it’s based on the Robert McCammon novel, “Stinger.” Have you read that or do you plan to read it to prepare for the show?
Luciano: I have read some parts of it, yeah. It is an inspiration for the show. Man, I don’t know how much I can say here. But yeah, it is definitely an inspiration for the show. One of the [executive] producers, if I’m not mistaken, is McCammon. A lot of aspects from the show as well as characters are changed and stuff, but that’s all I can give you.
That’s fair. My last question about the series. Do you have any idea when we can expect a premiere announcement?
Luciano: I’d say probably, I’d say early next year or late this year.
All right. Cool. It’s definitely something to be excited for. I also wanted to ask you about your charity, Act for Kids Jugando.
Luciano: Yes. That’s Spanish for kids and playing. It’s a nonprofit. When I was younger, I was really fortunate to not have as many of the struggles as some other kids have. I didn’t really understand why that was. Now that I’ve gotten older, I understand that things are just unfair for some other people and that’s why I try my best to help when I can. I go there, to my mom’s hometown in Peru where she grew up, it’s where she was born and I just do my best. I can’t directly devote money or anything because I’m not in a position to be able to but what I can do is try to make them have fun and enjoy their time a little bit more and maybe relieve some of the pressure.
That’s awesome. And if I’m not mistaken, it’s kind of a mix of like athletics and art. Can you explain that a little bit further?
Luciano: Yes, those are the two things I think are really important, especially in young people: the creative imagination, which is art, and athletics. As you grow up, it’s very important to have some of the skills from both for many different jobs and many different endeavors in life. So, I, along with some people that I’ve hired that know more about those fields than I do, try to help them and have them learn some new things and the ultimate goal is just for them to have some fun.
That’s really awesome. So, I know you have your hands full with that and with “Teacup,” but is there anything else you’re working on at the moment?
Luciano: At this moment? No, I am working on getting better at chess. It is a hobby of mine and I’m doing that on the side as well. And in terms of my career, there are some things that I’m looking forward to, which I can’t say yet, but right now I am fully focused on “Teacup.” I’m focusing on giving the best performance that I can, making the character memorable and making some good friends in the cast. But, other than that, I’m just keeping up with school, developing further hobbies and that’s about it. That’s how I’m living life right now.
Where can people follow you to stay up to date with you and your work?
Luciano: You can follow me on my instagram, @lerouxluciano.
While we anxiously await more news on “Teacup,” you can catch Luciano as Javi Martinez in “Yellowjackets.”
