Don’t get too caught up in the title of Netflix’s new show: although Julie and the Phantoms features ghosts and villains, the musical comedy’s foot-tapping anthems and highly-charged emotional ballads are anything but frightening. Based on the Brazilian series, Julie e os Fantasmas, the upbeat American adaptation (directed by High School Musical’s Kenny Ortega) follows teen singer and student Julie (Madison Reyes), who encounters a boy band soon after her mother’s death. Luke (Charles Gillespie), Alex (Owen Joyner) and Reggie (Jeremy Shada) boost her spirits and restore her love of music, but a significant challenge still stands: the guys are ghosts, recently awakened from the dead. Nonetheless, they form a musical group entitled “Julie and the Phantoms,” and audiences consider the talented trio simply as high-tech “holograms.” Julie and her bandmates give viewers a taste of what it’s like to live the rockstar life, all while testing the limits of their friendships and exploring a complex budding romance. Below, Sacha Carlson (“Nick,” Julie’s crush) and Sonny Bustamante (“Carlos,” Julie’s brother) explain why the series lies on the edge of great.

How did you first hear about Julie and the Phantoms?

Carlson: I first heard about Julie and the Phantoms from my agent when I was called for an audition. I was instantly hooked on the storyline and knew it would be a special project, especially because Kenny Ortega would be directing it.

Bustamante: I first heard about it when I got the audition a year ago.


What about your character interests you most?

Carlson: The thing that interests me most about Nick is how similar we are. We both love to play the guitar, and I dig his style. I also recognized his position between Carrie [Savannah Lee May] and Julie and became interested in how our relationships would develop throughout the show. Nick is a nice guy, but no one sees what's around the corner.

Bustamante: The similarities I have to my character, including his curiosity, humor and the fact that he has an older sibling.

What was your favorite scene to film, and why?

Carlson: “I Got the Music.” The energy was so amazing, and dancing in the hallways with all my castmates in a white suit was the best! That shoot was so much fun.

Bustamante: A scene in Episode 7 when the ghosts scare me and my “tia.” It was so much fun to film and watch back with my family.


Who were some of your favorite cast members to work with on set?

Carlson: Everyone—from the cast to the crew to the writers and producers—was absolutely amazing. JATP is family! Most of my scenes were with Savannah and Madison, both incredibly talented young women. However, I look up to all the older people in the cast. They’re role models for me.

Bustamante: I loved working with all the cast members, but the two I was really close with were Jadah [Marie, “Flynn”] and Charlie [Gillespie]. Jadah's family and mine became close in Canada [where we shot the show], and I thought Charlie was a kind figure I could look up to and laugh with while filming.

What was it like working with the special effects team on the ghost interactions?

Carlson: The ghost interactions were really fun. I have a scene in the hallway at school, before Julie and I dance in P.E. class, where Luke is right over my shoulder without Nick knowing. Throughout the scene, it was hard not to break character. Charlie was experimenting with so many funny ideas—it was hilarious. The special effects team did an amazing job.

Bustamante: I was very excited to see everything come together. I filmed so many awkward scenes, moving around in different positions and pretending to walk through the ghosts.


Any memorable behind-the-scenes moments you can share?

Carlson: Watching the band film and perform the song, “Bright.” That was the first song they filmed, and the energy in the room that afternoon was absolutely incredible. It was electric. So much emotion was in the air during that performance. Everyone who watched was blown away, jaws to the floor and everything.

Bustamante: Before each scene, Kenny and some characters would sing behind the camera. Another memorable moment was when they filmed the scene carrying Owen in Episode 9, and they almost dropped him headfirst!

What message do you hope viewers will take away from the show?

Carlson: No matter what obstacles are in your way, you can find your greatness. No matter how hard things get, there’s always hope.

Bustamante: Have hope for yourself and your dreams. Be determined, don’t give up when times are hard, and support the people you love when they need it.


If the series gets renewed for Season 2, what would you like to happen in the plot? 

Carlson: I’m very excited to explore Caleb’s character in Nick’s body! It’s going to be fun for me as an actor to dive into an evil personality. I’m curious to see what the writers [Dan Cross and Dave Hoge] will do with Nick. Julie and the Phantoms won’t be ready.

Bustamante: I'm hoping that Carlos will be in on Julie's secret, learn things and start to get suspicious of other people like Nick.

Follow Sacha and Sonny on Social Media:

Sacha Carlson: @sacha_carlson

Sonny Bustamante: @sonnybustamante

Additional reporting by Anabelle Baum.