THE WAYNE AYERS PODCAST

In this episode of The Wayne Ayers Podcast, Wayne sits down with Cara Harris, the breakout star of HBO’s A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, to unpack her unforgettable turn as Lady Gwin Ashford and what it means to step into the ever-watchful world of Westeros.Cara takes listeners inside the moment she learned she had been cast in the highly anticipated series set in the universe created by George R. R. Martin, revealing whether she was already a fan of Game of Thrones and House of the Dragon before landing the role that would change her career.The conversation dives deep into her first read of the scripts, the pressure of joining one of the most dissected franchises in television history, and the surreal “Day One” moment when the scale of Ashford Meadow, the armor, and the sigils made it all real. Cara also reveals whether she turned to the source material, The Tales of Dunk and Egg, to shape her portrayal of Gwin or chose to build the character from the scripts alone.Wayne and Cara explore the emotional core of the series, including Gwin’s perspective on the legendary duo Ser Duncan the Tall and Egg, the devastating consequences of the Trial of Seven, and how the death of Prince Baelor Targaryen reshapes the future of House Ashford. Cara reflects on what she believes Gwin truly sees when she looks at a hedge knight like Dunk and whether she believes in his version of honor.The discussion also gets personal and playful. Cara answers fan questions about which Westerosi House she would want to belong to, which dragon she would choose if given the chance, and what advice Lady Gwin might give a young Sansa Stark over a glass of wine. She also shares the one word she hopes fans associate with Lady Gwin’s legacy after the finale.Beyond Westeros, Cara opens up about the path that led her to acting, the performance that made her realize it was more than a hobby, and the mentors who believed in her before the world knew her name. She reflects on navigating the mental side of the entertainment industry, staying grounded amid rising visibility, and the surreal fan interactions that come with joining one of television’s most beloved universes.Cara also reveals whether she took anything from the set, if any scenes were left on the cutting room floor, and what memory from this season she believes will mean the most ten years from now.It is a wide-ranging, candid conversation about fantasy, fame, artistry, and the weight of stepping into one of the most iconic worlds ever put on screen.

This week on The Wayne Ayers Podcast, we’re diving headfirst into Greek mythology, fandom chaos, and behind-the-scenes secrets with Jasmine Vega, the breakout star joining Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 2 as Hylla.Jasmine takes us back to the exact moment she found out she’d been cast, opens up about stepping into a role beloved by Heroes of Olympus fans, and shares what it was really like walking onto the Percy Jackson set for the first time. From filming the eerie, iconic scenes at Circe’s spa to revealing a behind-the-scenes detail that might shock fans, nothing is off-limits within Disney-safe boundaries.We also talk fandom pressure, viral reactions, wild DMs, and how Jasmine is handling the sudden wave of online love. Plus, she weighs in on whether Hylla’s story is far from over and which Heroes of Olympus character she’d love to see join the series next.Beyond Camp Half-Blood, Jasmine reflects on her past roles in Chilling Adventures of Sabrina and Billy the Kid, compares fantasy worlds, and answers the question fans didn’t know they needed: if Lizzie met Hylla, would it be friendship or war?And of course, we get into the fun stuff, her very first audition, worst audition horror stories, bad acting advice, dream roles, dream collaborators, and the misconceptions about acting that drive her absolutely insane.Funny, honest, and full of fandom moments you’ll want clipped immediately, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

On this episode of The Wayne Ayers Podcast, Wayne sits down with actor, multilingual powerhouse, and rising fan favorite Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova for a wide-ranging, deeply personal conversation that moves effortlessly between life, art, identity, and ambition. Ksenia opens up about her fascinating upbringing, from being born in Toronto to spending formative years in Saint Petersburg, Russia. She reflects on the meaning behind her name, her time in the Russian circus, and her Caribbean roots, including her connection to Trinidad, Caribana culture, and her growing up between worlds. The conversation blends humor and nostalgia as Wayne and Ksenia talk culture, food, and the places that shaped her. The discussion then dives headfirst into Heated Rivalry, where Ksenia breaks down her portrayal of Svetlana and the emotional weight behind the character. She speaks candidly about performing in Russian, how her language skills influenced the role, her family's reaction to seeing that side of her on screen, and whether she ever had to help co-stars with their dialogue. Ksenia unpacks the layered dynamic between Svetlana and Ilya Rozanov, exploring loyalty, unspoken love, family trauma, and whether Svetlana understands Ilya better than he understands himself. She also teases how relationships could shift if secrets come to light in a potential second season, and reflects on the overwhelming fan response to Svetlana's quiet emotional strength. From there, the episode shifts into full superhero dream mode. Ksenia talks about her desire to play Starfire in a DC film, her introduction to the character, what she would say directly to James Gunn, and her ultimate dream Titans fan cast. She also reveals which supervillain she would love to play, her all-time favorite superheroes, and whetherthere'ss a Marvel role calling her name. Wayne and Ksenia also explore her broader creative ambitions, including dream film roles, potential biopics, animated stories she would love to see adapted into live action, and what life beyond acting looks like for her. She discusses fashion, brand collaborations, and long-term goals beyond the screen. The episode closes on a heartfelt note as Ksenia shares personal goals for the year, surprises fans with something they may not know about her, and delivers a message directly to the people who have supported her journey so far. Insightful, funny, and emotionally rich, this is a must-listen conversation that shows Ksenia Daniela Kharlamova not just as a performer, but as a fully formed creative force stepping confidently into her next chapter.

This week on The Wayne Ayers Podcast, Wayne Ayers sits down with Finding Her Edge stars Madelyn Keys and Alexandra Beaton to talk all things love, rivalry, and ambition in Netflix's newest romantic teen drama, which premiered globally on January 22, 2026. Based on the novel by Jennifer Iacopelli, the eight-episode series dives into the high-stakes world of elite figure skating, where passion on the ice collides with pressure off it.
Madelyn Keys opens up about bringing 17-year-old Adriana Russo to life, a rising skater chasing her World Championship dream while torn between two partners and two very different loves: Brayden, the sport's rebellious bad boy, and Freddie, her first love and former skating partner. Alexandra Beaton discusses the deeper family drama at the heart of the series, as the Russo sisters fight to preserve their once-great skating dynasty and keep their family rink from collapsing. From fake relationships and honest feelings to sacrifice, sisterhood, and surviving the grind of elite competition, this conversation goes beyond the romance to explore what it really costs to chase greatness.
Finding Her Edge is now streaming on Netflix.

The Wayne Ayers Podcast is back with voice actor and on-camera talent Paul Castro Jr. From NYU Meisner training and Off-Broadway roots to major anime roles, Paul breaks down the craft behind his performances and the surprising overlap between theater and dubbing. He talks about voicing Riddle Rosehearts in Disney's Twisted Wonderland: The Animation, finding the emotional depth beneath the character's strict exterior, and what fans can expect as new episodes drop weekly on Disney+. Paul also dives into Netflix's The Summer Hikaru Died, balancing comfort and unease as Hikaru, and stepping into Dragon Ball Daima as mini Vegeta. Plus: franchises, producing The Divine Blood, advocacy, and what's next.