Hayden Byerly will be back as Jude on the hit ABC Family show The Fosters. The original drama series returns Monday, December 8th with a special holiday episode to kick off the new season. The innovative original series sees Jude’s character coming to terms with his identity while becoming a member of a new and loving family. Along with his older sister Callie, Jude looks to the future as his adoption into the Foster family becomes permanent.
We had the chance to chat with Hayden about what viewers can expect in the special holiday episode, what’s ahead for Jude and Callie, and the big cliffhanger between Jude and Connor that Hayden describes as “a very big thing.”
Read on for our exclusive interview with Hayden Byerly below:
So, Jude and Callie will be spending their first Christmas with the Fosters in the upcoming holiday episode on ABC Family. What can you tease about what else we can expect from them in this episode?
Hayden Byerly: Obviously, the Christmas episode picks up right after Jude is adopted and Callie is not. It still has a bit of tension. It still is about Callie going through the decision of whether or not she wants her father to sign the abdonment papers so she can be adopted by the Fosters. It’s a lot of tough struggles that Callie is going through in this episode. Jude is also very anxious whether or not his sister will want to find her birth father and then have him sign the papers so she can become adopted. Jude is very nervous about what is going to happen to Callie and if she’s really going to pursue her birth father or not.
How will Jude and Callie’s relationship be tested now that Jude has been adopted?
I feel like Jude is kind of sad that he’s not 100% with his sister. I think he feels with his family, that even though they’re not a 100% blood family that they are still connected. They’ve been through a lot together and have been in the foster system together. They are brother and sister. They’ve gone through so many struggles and they’ve helped each other in so many ways that it doesn’t matter whether or not they are blood. They love each other. I feel like their relationship is very connected and strong but it’s also hard for Jude to share Callie with a whole other family. I think he’s a little scared about that.
Jude’s character gave his fans and viewers quite a cliffhanger in regards to his friendship with Connor. How will this new development carry over into the new episodes and impact his friendship with Connor?
Obviously we need to learn what happened in the tent and what goes on in the upcoming season in the Fosters… and that kind of has a little spark of what will happen with Jude and Connor. Their relationship as friends has always been strong. Connor has always stood up for Jude and Jude has always appreciated Connor. What happens in the tent is either going to strengthen their friendship or it’s going to weaken their friendship. I’m not going to say. I’m going to let everyone find out for themselves. But it’s a very big thing that definitely affects how they feel about one another.
The finale was full of so many bombshell moments like Lena quitting her job and Connor showing up to school with bruises…all these things that really kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Do you find yourself constantly surprised when reading the scripts?
Yeah, definitely. I feel like every time you read the script something happens that even us as actors on the show, never expect it to happen. We never would have thought our characters would have done these types of things or would have gone down these different paths or chosen these different routes to take. It’s interesting. The writers are very smart and always have a place they are trying to get to. It’s always super fun to read the scripts when you don’t know what’s going to happen.
The storylines we mentioned before with Lena and Connor…Will this continue to evolve in the new season? Are these things we’re going to continue to see?
You’ll have to check it out and find out for yourselves. There’s a lot that happens and it’s very cool. *laughs*
Jude’s storyline has been one that is both interesting to watch and an inspiration to viewers. How does it feel to be that inspiration for fans of all ages?
I feel like Jude’s storyline is very inspirational. He’s a very young kid who has been through a lot. He’s strong and stays true to who he is and makes sure that he doesn’t lose himself in this crazy world. There are a lot of people out there who are judgmental about how people look or how people talk or different qualities that they have and I feel like Jude tries not to change because of how someone shares their opinion of him. I think that’s super special. I think that’s an awesome thing and I look up to that.
We’d like to thank Hayden Byerly for taking the time to answer some questions for us. We really appreciate it!
Be sure to keep up to date with Hayden by following him on Twitter @HaydenByerly.
Don’t forget to tune in to The Fosters Christmas Special, December 8th on ABC Family.
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