Viewers watching the Nickelodeon free preview will be among the first to catch the Canadian premiere of THE TROOP. The episode run opens with two back-to-back adventures on a Saturday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time. This half-hour live-action comedy blends sci-fi adventure with CGI animation. The story follows Jake, a typical teenager grappling with adolescence, who discovers a hidden calling when school counselor Mr. Stockley reveals that he has unknowingly aced an aptitude test for admittance into a secret Troop. With a high-tech headquarters tucked beneath their school, Jake teams up with his sharp-witted Hayley and socially awkward Felix to defend their town from paranormal threats.
The producers whet the audience’s appetite by highlighting conversation about entertainment, paranormal activity, and more with three of the show’s stars.
MEET NICK
Nick Purcell plays Jake, the fearless monster tracker who feels at home with the Troop while navigating the challenges of high school. He recalls a real-life paranormal moment from a haunted, abandoned hospital where a mysterious figure appeared in a photograph.
Favorite part of filming meant for the audience? He enjoyed the episode where Jake experiences a Vampster transformation.
Favorite episode to watch? He cites Episode 11, “Lost in Translation.”
Choose a nerve-wracking challenge: sleep overnight alone in an abandoned jailhouse or hold hands with Felix and Hayley while chanting “Bloody Mary” three times before a scary scene? He would pick the jailhouse, because monster hunting is in his blood and he feels ready for anything.
NICK S FAVES
Movie of all time: Iron Man
Band or artist: Owl City, Mute Math
Day of the year: Dec 25
Weird food combo: Meatball sub with pepperoni
MEET DAVID
David Del Rio stars as Felix, an introverted genius who knows everything about supernatural phenomena and how the unknown works.
What’s the best part of being on THE TROOP? The schedule is never dull, alternating between stunt work and character-driven scenes, often blending both in a single day to maximize the fun.
Wake up paralyzed in the middle of the night to find a dark figure in the corner holding a clown doll or host a cast sleepover on the 13th floor of a haunted hotel said to be visited by many angry spirits? He would host the sleepover, because clowns frighten and annoy him, and it would be comforting to share the experience with friends if something eerie happened.
Favorite episode to shoot so far? He enjoyed the episode in which Felix creates an evil robot version of himself, with Hayley delivering some of the funniest moments in that arc.
Favorite episode to watch so far? “No More Master Nice Guy” demonstrates the Troop’s loyalty to one another.
DAVID S FAVES
80s movie: Wall Street
Salty snack: Peanuts
Song to sing: Fly Me to the Moon
Weird food combo: Mashed potatoes with ketchup
MEET GAGE
Gage Golightly plays Hayley, a bright, athletic teen with a full social calendar who can drop any monster in her path with a few swift moves.
Ever had a real life paranormal experience? While filming in a closed-down mental institution, a crew member shared a ghost story about a figure appearing in the third-floor window at 9 o clock sharp. A few moments later, she glimpsed a blurry silhouette in a pink hospital gown with short brown hair.
Go with friends into an ancient burial site on Halloween or endure a week of hauntings by two ghosts who resemble Jake and Felix? She would rather venture into the woods on Halloween, drawn by the atmosphere of a classic witch tale rather than being haunted for days by imaginary versions of her friends. The idea of witches adds a fresh twist to the Troop’s world, and the thought of Felix and Jake haunting them is unsettling enough on its own.
GAGE S FAVES
DVD everyone should own: Edward Scissorhands
Musical instrument: Piano, cello or violin
Band or artist: Def Leppard, Pink Floyd and Imogen Heap
Day of the year: Halloween, because dressing up is the best!
Thanks to Nick, David, and Gage for sharing their insights.