A new school year is underway at Alfea College, which means fresh faces and new threats in Fate: The Winx Saga’s second season. Despite the danger that awaits them, some of the students aren’t letting fear conquer love. This season, water fairy Aisha (Precious Mustapha) finds herself being swept away by a specialist at her school. An overachiever, she doesn’t let her guard down for just anyone, until she meets Grey (played by newcomer Brandon Grace).

Grey is a hyper-focused student and avid swimmer who finds solace in spending time with someone who’s just like him. “What would happen if Aisha met her match? Somebody who was also an overachiever, scheduler, awesome specialist?” showrunner Brian Young recently posed to Tudum. For Grace, the prospect of taking on a role so different from himself was a thrill. 

Tudum recently caught up with Alfea’s newest heartthrob to chat about his character, his Netflix crushes — and his favorite Ryan Gosling era.

Aisha (Mustapha) and Grey (Grace) take a break from their busy schedules to go for a swim. 

Congrats on joining Season 2! Grey and Aisha are very much alike in that they’re both overachievers. When it comes to dating, do you look for someone who’s the same or the opposite of you?
I guess not opposite, but I’m open to anything. If someone’s like, “I’m an underachiever,” I won’t go, “Whoa! We’re done.” But I’m open to anyone. If you make me laugh, you give me food. That’s so cool. 

As a new Netflix crush, do you have any of your own?
Ryan Gosling from The Gray Man or Jonathan Bailey from Bridgerton. My friend and I text each other photos of him to brighten our day. He’s, like, a proper man crush at the moment because I just think he’s amazing. 

Fate features some great music in Season 2. What’s your favorite love song? What’s your favorite breakup song?
Favorite love song is “The Dress” by Dijon. My favorite breakup song is “Since U Been Gone” by Kelly Clarkson. Scream that and you’re fine.

Are you like Grey? Any major similarities or differences?
🤐 SPOILER ALERT 🤐I am actually a blood witch. That’s the only similarity I have with Grey [laughs]. I don’t think we’re that similar, to be honest. I’m not really an overachiever, but I guess I’m in contact with his sensitive side. 

🤐 SPOILER ALERT 🤐If your partner revealed that they were a blood witch, would you still date them?
Yeah, 100%. Why not? It’s bad energy — but bad, cool energy. See what happens.

What drew you to this role?
🤐 SPOILER ALERT 🤐This is a spoiler, but I think it was to play a baddie. To play an undercover baddie in a way that has a renewal, a transformation at the end, where he realizes, “What I’ve done is wrong.” I don’t think any character is downright evil. That was the thing that drew me to the character. 

If you could have any magical power, what would it be and why? 
It would be to be able to watch films or a TV series for the first time again. Do you know what I mean? So that you can experience that feeling [again].

Are there any films that you would love to experience for the first time again?
Parasite, the Bong Joon-ho film, because that was crazy. And The Place Beyond the Pines, that Ryan Gosling film. I watched that and I was like, “I want to dye my hair blond, get a motorbike and then just leave and run.”

What do you think Ryan Gosling’s most swoon-worthy era is? 
Have you seen Crazy, Stupid Love? Gosling’s sexy in that. 

What’s something fans would be most surprised to learn about you?
I am mixed race. I’m Chinese and Irish. I think a lot of people don’t know that I’m Irish. Maybe another thing that they’d be surprised about is that I can speak Mandarin. 

Lastly, what was the most fun scene you got to film this season?
There’s a scene towards the end of the series, which is a very sad and intense scene with Grey and Aisha. Sometimes you read a scene, you’re like, “Oh, this is good, this is weighty. It would be great to do.” I was looking forward to it.