With the Canadian premiere of CLOUD 9 around the bend, Luke Benward offered a revealing look at what audiences can expect from this Disney Channel Original Movie. The actor, familiar to fans from Ravenswood, See Dad Run, and Good Luck Charlie, shared insights about filming in the snow, collaborating with canine co-stars, and sharing a kiss with Dove Cameron on screen.
Acting found him early. He began at five years old when his mother, an actress and acting coach, helped him audition for a project in Nashville. He did not yet know how to read, but he recited the Pledge of Allegiance and landed the job. He has kept the same agent for thirteen years, and a move to California about a year and a half ago marked a serious commitment to his craft. The journey shows how a hometown start can become a broader acting career with patience and persistence.
Advice for young actors arises from his experience: find an agent who truly believes in you, not just someone with famous clients. Preparation matters—know who you are, what you are aiming for, and why you are in the business. If fame is the sole motive, this might not be the right path. The pursuit should be about acting, art, and a real passion for storytelling. It takes hard work, clear goals, and the willingness to chase them with focus.
In terms of growth, he notes that he has grown a lot both physically and professionally. He credits his mother as a steady mentor whose leadership has shaped him. He approaches roles with a philosophical lens, thinking through characters, their motivations, and what drives their choices. This introspective method helps him craft performances that feel true and relatable to audiences.
On set for CLOUD 9, the prankster element came from the weather itself. A snow and ice filled half-pipe created a playful, challenging environment that produced some funny slips. Yet the overall vibe was warm and familial, with the cast and crew pulling together like a small family while they worked toward a common goal.
Working with dogs added another layer of excitement. The animal stars impressed him with their ability to stay on their marks and follow cues, often more reliably than some human performers. The dogs brought a unique energy to the scenes and impressed everyone on set with their pace and precision.
Snowboarding came naturally to him as well. At the start of filming, a two-week snowboarding boot camp gave him and two other cast members a chance to sharpen their skills. It felt like a vacation at a wintry resort, with the chance to slide through powder alongside friends between takes.
One memorable day involved building a snowman outside their hotel and discovering a rock with a tunnel carved through it. He and a fellow actor climbed into the tunnel, then tangled in a lengthy snowball fight with the rest of the crew. The moment captured the fun of filming in a snowy, outdoor setting and highlighted the camaraderie behind the scenes.
As for nerves about the on-screen kiss with Dove Cameron, he notes that kissing on camera can feel awkward with an audience of crew and cameras watching. A key moment came during the CLOUD 9 auditions when Dove and he were asked to perform the scene again, ending with a kiss. They had already kissed on screen during the audition, which helped ease those nerves and made the final scene feel natural.
Looking ahead, CLOUD 9 was set to premiere on Family Channel on a Friday evening, with Luke mentioning other projects on the horizon. He was also involved with Ravenswood, returning to the air, and had recently completed a Civil War film slated for release in the near future. Since then, he has continued to pursue acting across North America, embracing diverse roles that challenge him and broaden his range.
Catch CLOUD 9 when it premieres on Family Channel on a Friday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time, bringing a snowy, heartfelt story to Canadian audiences and beyond, as Luke Benward shares the screen with a promising cast and a world of opportunities for his young career.