From finding out he landed his dream role during high school graduation rehearsal to saving the world on Disney Plus, Jailen Bates is having a surreal year. While you may recognize him from previous stints on Nickelodeon and CBS, Bates is now taking center stage as Liam in the new action-packed series Armorsaurs.
In this exclusive Q&A, Bates opens up about building team chemistry on set, the physical discipline he learned from Taekwondo, and the technical nuances between multi-camera sitcoms and intense single-camera dramas. Beyond acting, he shares his passion for screenwriting and his commitment to using his platform to advocate for underrepresented communities.
WELCOME TO ABOUT INSIDER, JAILEN BATES. HOW WOULD YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF AND YOUR JOURNEY SO FAR TO OUR READERS?
Hello! My name is Jailen Bates and I’m super excited to talk with you guys. I’ve been acting for most of my life — you may have seen me in a few shows over the years, whether it was Nickelodeon or CBS — but now I’m taking on a new role as Liam in the new Disney+ show Armorsaurs!
ARMORSAURS INTRODUCES YOU AS THE LEAD HERO OF A MAJOR NEW DISNEY+ FRANCHISE. WHAT DID IT FEEL LIKE WHEN YOU FIRST LEARNED YOU HAD BEEN CAST AS LIAM ROBERTS?
I was actually at my high school graduation rehearsal when I was told the news. It was an absolutely surreal experience to be told such life-changing news at an incredibly important moment in my life. The entire day felt like a dream.
YOUR CHARACTER BONDS WITH A MASSIVE ARMORED TYRANNOSAURUS TO PROTECT EARTH. HOW DID YOU PREPARE PHYSICALLY AND EMOTIONALLY FOR SUCH A DEMANDING SCI-FI ROLE?
A lot of Armorsaurs is based on our teamwork, so it was super important when preparing for filming that our group bond was there. Whether it was simple nights doing karaoke with everyone or just hanging out in between takes, building that connection really helped.
THE SERIES HAS ALREADY BEEN RENEWED FOR A SECOND SEASON. WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT CONTINUING THIS STORY AND GROWING WITH THE CHARACTER?
I’m super excited to see how Liam and Ajax’s bond has grown. Since the rest of the season hasn’t aired, I can’t give too much away, but I’m also intrigued to see how team dynamics may have shifted.
YOU’VE MOVED BETWEEN COMEDY, ACTION, AND DRAMA ACROSS PROJECTS LIKE SUPERIOR DONUTS, WITS ACADEMY, AND NOW ARMORSAURS. HOW DO YOU APPROACH SHIFTING BETWEEN SUCH DIFFERENT GENRES?
Luckily, each project I’ve gotten to be a part of has been such a joy and has challenged me to grow as an artist. I’ve had the pleasure to work on multi-camera sitcoms and more intense single-camera productions. It allows me to understand the context and influences my performance.
If it’s a sitcom, I know the timing and pacing of the world is very specific, while single-camera work is much more toned down. This is very simplified, but hopefully gives a little insight into my process.
YOU’RE ALSO A TRAINED MARTIAL ARTIST AND A MUSICIAN. HOW DO TAEKWONDO AND MUSIC INFLUENCE THE WAY YOU APPROACH ACTING AND STORYTELLING?
It’s true — I am a blue belt in Taekwondo. It’s most certainly out of practice and a little rusty, but the physicality of training has hugely changed the way I move in my body. I’ve found more intention in even the way I stand.
AS A WRITER OF SCRIPTS AND ORIGINAL MUSIC, DO YOU SEE YOURSELF CREATING PROJECTS OF YOUR OWN IN THE FUTURE? WHAT KINDS OF STORIES ARE YOU MOST DRAWN TO TELLING?
I’ve been writing for an incredibly long time, and it’s such an important part of my creative process. I love stories that give a voice to people who usually may not have one. I love to explore that through the scripts I write and the songs as well.
YOU’RE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN CLIMATE ADVOCACY AND SUPPORTING THE UNHOUSED. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO USE YOUR PLATFORM FOR THESE CAUSES?
Speaking up about issues involving my community is incredibly important. Using the platform I have is a small service in order to educate and share, to the best of my ability, information that may serve and help others.
LOOKING AHEAD, HOW DO YOU HOPE AUDIENCES WILL SEE YOU — NOT JUST AS A SUPERHERO ON SCREEN, BUT AS AN ARTIST AND INDIVIDUAL?
Moving forward, I hope audiences will be impacted by my performances — whether because they see something they relate to on screen, or because the story I was a part of telling changed the way they viewed the world.
That’s the greatest gift as a performer: the impact our art can have, no matter how big or small.
