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EXCLUSIVE Q&A: David Lambert Talks “Brallie” & What Lies Ahead For His Character Brandon On “The Fosters”

Photo: Carlee Wieser/Celeb Secrets
Photo: Carlee Wieser/Celeb Secrets

Throughout the previous three seasons of The Fosters, Brandon Foster has made some pretty questionable decisions, but his heart has always been in the right place.

Of course, we can expect the same of Brandon for season four.

At the beginning of the new season, Stef and Lena found out that Brandon and Callie slept together, and while the moms figured out what to do about the complicated situation they put the family in, Brandon decided to take matters into his own hands when he moved into a house, with his current girlfriend Cortney and her son, that he bought for them with his Juilliard money. Again, questionable decisions.

Celeb Secrets recently sat down with David Lambert, who plays Brandon, to talk about the decisions that Brandon has made throughout the show and the decisions he will continue to make, which he says are going to “break some hearts.”

He also talked about filming the school shooting episodes, which kicked off season four, Brandon’s relationships with Callie and Cortney and his hopes for Brandon as the show goes on. Plus, he gave us some inside scoop on his band The Late Revival and their debut EP, so make sure to check out our exclusive Q&A below!

The Fosters airs Mondays at 8 PM ET on Freeform.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_tqzng1wc8

Celeb Secrets: The season started off with a school shooting, so how was it filming those intense episodes and getting into that mindset?

David Lambert: “That was, you know, first off, really educational, actually, for me because I am just old enough that I, when I was going to school, there were a few incidents like in history that it happened in schools in terms of shootings, but it wasn’t, it wasn’t such a regular occurrence where you needed protocol, and the protocol kind of aspect within classrooms was what really got me because it’s, and we kind of highlighted a little bit of it in the episode, but it’s basically for the teachers and it’s this binder and it says, you know, be prepared basically to fight for the death in the classroom if he gets in. Throw things at his head and don’t try to negotiate with him, just assume that they are there to hurt you. Just reading that in like a classroom setting is so dark and eerie and quite jarring, so I don’t know. I found it hard to wrap my head around being prepared for things like that like a tornado warning or fire drill or something, you know, it’s just, it’s just a progression in life and where we are in this day and age, but director Rob Marrow who did one and two for us of season four, he really, and the creative team to the EPs, Peter Bradley, Joanna, we really wanted season four to start off with a bang and also feel very kind of guerrilla style shooting, lot of handheld, and so the energy was there on set and stuff. Shooting these scenes, all the scenes with barricading the doors, and getting the kids down up against the walls, closing the blinds, all of that stuff felt very intense doing it and it was a couple days of that. We were just doing non-stop school lockdown stuff, but I think the whole process, like I said, really educational, very interesting to be doing it to highlight, not only school shootings, but shootings in general and gun control and everything that’s been going on, ironically enough, with shootings and violence, and it’s, yeah, it’s a lot, but again, a very important thing to touch on so I’m happy with it.”

Celeb Secrets: Now in those episodes, Stef and Lena found out about Brandon and Callie. Since then, the two of them have been a little distant. How are you going to get back to the relationship that you had before? Is that going to happen? Can we expect any more romance between the two of them?

David Lambert: “I think the interesting thing about Brandon and Callie is the evolution and progression of their relationship and it doesn’t always necessarily mean it’s going to be romantic. We’ve sort of seen these ebbs and flows with the two throughout the show. There’s been times when they’re closer, they’re more connected, they’re talking, and there’s other times when they’re kind of doing their own thing and I think right now we’ve hit a point, yet again, where they’re sort of doing their own thing a little bit. Ultimately, I don’t know. I think Brandon and Callie have an obvious, strong connection and I don’t think that’s gonna go away. I think that’s been proven time and time again that it won’t go away and they also went through something very intense together and quite dramatic for the family to deal with, so I think in a weird way that they’re always going to have that understanding because they went through this very complicated situation within the family and them and what that means and what’s the greater good, what is the best situation here for both of them, and so navigating that and continuing to do so, I think has created a really interesting relationship. I don’t know if it will go back to a romantic relationship, but I think they are at least going to stay very closely connected and I would like to see them keep checking in with each other and being in each other’s lives in that kind of way, but I don’t know. I don’t know where they want to eventually go with them and I don’t know what would be best either. It’s a tough question for me. I’m very kind of down the middle because, on the one hand, they’re great together and you can see that in plenty of ways, but there’s almost been just as much drama that’s come from it, so is it really a great thing or is it just something that feels right and they’re just trying to make it work and they’re just not really taking account into everything that’s affected, so I don’t know.”

Celeb Secrets: Brandon also moved out of the house. He’s living with his girlfriend Cortney and I thought it was really interesting how Callie is usually the one that runs away, but now it seems like Brandon and Callie have switched places and she’s telling him that he can’t run from this. What do you think is going through Brandon’s head? Why does he feel like he has to run from this?

David Lambert: “I think it actually comes from a place of stubbornness and him not being able to admit that he can’t handle everything. Brandon has sort of a white knight complex in a sense. He wants to be there for his loved ones and protect them and make sure nothing goes wrong and he wants all of the pressure and responsibility and feels the need to take it upon himself. Cortney is just a prime example of that. He’s a white knight until he’s not a white knight anymore to be the white knight. It’s a pattern that Brandon’s kind of continuously going through. I think that’s something you’re going to see this season a little is Brandon isolating himself from the rest of the family, using Cortney as sort of an excuse to, I think, figure his stuff out. I mean, I think he’s in this place where he’s really stressed with a few different things. He has responsibilities with the kid, with the relationship, and now it’s becoming a financial issue where he’s having to help support them financially, he’s full on living with them, his mothers don’t really support it, none of the family really gets it, so he’s really alienated himself and I think this season is all about Brandon having to find himself again kind of and feel normal again and find his place in it all and Cortney is definitely a big challenge for him right now, navigating it.”

DAVID LAMBERT

Celeb Secrets: Do you feel like there’s actually something there between Brandon and Cortney or do you think they’re kind of using each other? Because it seems like Brandon’s kind of using her to escape and she almost seems like she’s using him as a babysitter.

David Lambert: “I think you’re right. I think you are right, but I think there’s a connection there. I think Brandon and Cortney, I think they genuinely have a connection. I don’t think she’s full on using him and I don’t think he’s full on using her. I think that’s happening, but I don’t think they’re intending it to. You know, the guy left her with the kid, no money, and she can’t do it all, so whenever she has someone like Brandon coming in, who is this nice guy, wants to be a good guy and wants to take care of everything, I mean, how do you turn that down if he’s willing to do it. You kind of just let him, but it does become sort of a dangerous situation because it does come off like she might be using him, taking advantage of that, but no, I think they do have a connection. I think Brandon found her refreshing. She’s removed from his life basically. She wasn’t around when Brandon was going through all of the Callie stuff. She was kind of a nice, new chapter for him to kind of look forward to, something that didn’t have all of this baggage, ended up with its own baggage, but I think initially he was just looking for a new outlet through Cortney.”

Celeb Secrets: Do you think he’s going to regret buying her that house?

David Lambert: “(Laughs) That actually remains to be seen, but I’m gonna go ahead and say that he jumped the gun a little bit getting that house. I don’t even know how he pulled that off, well I do, but it’s still, yeah. Prime example of Brandon completely putting too much on his plate. What’s interesting about it though is Stef does the same thing and we’ve seen that before too and I kind of love that mother/son similarity between them and how they’re just so stubborn, and really, because they’re just so stubborn, that’s why Brandon decides to move out, just to prove her wrong like ‘I got this, I’m 18, I can figure this out, I’m not even going to live at home anymore, I don’t need to.’ And that whole energy is what gets him into the situation in the first place and then Stef gets stubborn and is like ‘fine have it your way’ and that’s the relationship.”

Celeb Secrets: If there was something about Brandon that you would change, what would it be?

David Lambert: “That’s an interesting question. The problem is he, I am just old enough in front of Brandon, I’m 22 turning 23, Brandon just turned 18, there’s just enough time there for me to have such a clear memory of what it felt like to turn 18 and having this weird, irrational like pressure, being like ‘oh I’m 18, I’ve got to grow up here’ or whatever that version is for yourself. There’s all of these times where Brandon makes these decisions and I’m like ‘dude,’ but at the same time I feel for him because I was there not too long ago, just a couple years ago, so it’s like, I think I’m a little biased because I feel for him, and even when he’s making mistakes and even when he’s a clown and a fool and doing all of these impulsive things, I still kind of get it and, you know, at the end of the day, he is an artist (laughs) and so at the end of the day he’s going to be an artist and go through all of these things and really feel them because that’s the type of person he is, so I don’t know. It’s a really tough thing. I think sometimes he sits on things too long. I’d like to see him take charge a little more and worry about himself a little more and not stretch himself out so thin, worrying about everyone and not looking at himself, but I think, again, that’s a life lesson we’ll probably see him learn at some point, so I think it’s all growth, and yeah, I don’t know. He’s a very close character to me.”

DAVID LAMBERT, CIERRA RAMIREZ

Celeb Secrets: Speaking of those interesting decisions he’s made along the way, TV Guide actually ranked the five worst decisions that Brandon has made, so summing up all of the seasons, what do you think was the worst decision? Maybe the fake IDs or sleeping with his dad’s girlfriend?

David Lambert: “I actually think it might be the dad’s girlfriend thing. That was pretty messy, but at the same time, he was a little victimized in that, obviously, with the whole situation, but that one I remember. When that was coming up and stuff I was like ‘wow we’re going there and how is this ever going to be okay.’ It was a very interesting time for Brandon. I think the fake IDs also just because of all the aftermath that blew up in his face because of those decisions with Vico and him being beat up and the reconstructive surgery on his hand. I mean, that was probably the most he’s had to pay for his mistakes, so yeah, both of those. I mean, there’s a few other things that he’s going to do coming up soon that are very reminiscent to the fake ID situation, so there’s a few more mistakes Brandon is going to make very soon that we will find out about and they’re going to hurt him too and it’s going to be sad, but I still think those first, fake ID one, the father/girlfriend situation. This new situation I feel like I can’t really talk about, but it’s another one of those times where Brandon gets very impulsive and does something very drastic to help his situation and just doesn’t think it through at all and it’s really gonna mess with his plans, I’ll say that, so that one, I think it’s gonna break some hearts, without alluding to too much, but yeah those three come to mind.”

Celeb Secrets: What do you kind of hope for Brandon’s future?

David Lambert: “I am a big fan of him doing the classical music thing, possibly becoming a straight up composer. I’d love to see Brandon leading an orchestra type deal or going to Juilliard or somehow writing his music, and I think it’s classical that he really is, that’s his passion. He’s tried the band thing, he’s tried a few different versions of music, but I think the one that’s always going to stick most is just him and the piano and writing original compositions that he pours his heart and soul into and always feels better after he does that, and I think that’s the bare bones of the character and his passion, so I would just like to see him simply doing that by the end and not being hung up on anything else. I think he’ll get there. I think it’s just life that he’s going through.”

Celeb Secrets: Besides Brandon’s storyline, what can we expect from the whole family in general in the upcoming episodes?

David Lambert: “To make it, I guess, an easy answer, this season feels very like we’re growing up a little bit, everyone, everyone’s growing up. Everyone’s tackling more. There’s just more going on everywhere. The moms’ have financial worries. Callie is kind of growing into her own person, becoming sort of a voice for the foster care community, highlighting the issues that need to be highlighted and going after the faults and making them right, so she’s growing up in that way by becoming almost an ambassador for foster kids. Jude continues to experiment with who he is as a person and we’re going to see that more and more and his connections to people, his relationships with his friends. The twins are being the twins. Mariana is participating in a lot. She’s doing a lot of school stuff, and also coming off all of this Nick stuff and Mat, there’s a lot of kind of triangly stuff going on there, and she’s got this guilt and she’s kind of haunted by the whole Nick thing, a little traumatized and so she’s coming off of that. Ultimately, everyone is kind of spreading out a little bit, but in a cool way. I think it’s called for, season four, I think it’s a good move. I think it’s good progression and going into, that was 4A, and going into 4B, I’m sure it’s only going to be more of that. It’ll be interesting to see, by the end of season four, where everyone is, for sure.”

THE FOSTERS - "Trust" - Callie's reaction to a derogatory comment gets her suspended while Mariana is blamed for Nick's actions, on an all-new episode of "The Fosters," airing MONDAY, JULY 11 (8:00 - 9:00 p.m. EDT), on Freeform. (Freeform/Eric McCandless) DAVID LAMBERT, MAIA MITCHELL

Celeb Secrets: The Fosters has covered so many different topics on the show, but is there anything you would like to see on the show that you haven’t?

David Lambert: “It’s tough to think of topics that they have not somewhat, at least somewhat, covered. Sometimes they focus more on issues than others, but they really do a good job of at least mentioning quite a bit. Nothing immediately comes to mind that they haven’t already done. I mean, I think of religion, I think of police brutality, we even covered that through AJ’s character and Mike. Obviously, the LGBT community, the transgender community, we covered that briefly with the character Cole and the Girls United situation and the whole bathroom talk. I don’t know. I mean, yeah, I can’t think of any content and now we have this gun control stuff we literally just covered. I know one thing that I do know they want to continue to focus on through Callie is the foster care system. They do not want to lose sight of an area that the EPs, the creators of this show, initially wanted to highlight through this family. Obviously, the LGBT community as well. It was sort of a marriage of the two, but they don’t want to lose sight of the foster care system through Callie and Jude and we’ve seen it with Jack. There’s been a lot of examples and I think they want to make sure that they’re upholding that, so I know that they’re continuously doing research into all of the different details and reading in between the lines, and like I said before, highlighting the faults in the system, so I know it’s very important for them to use Callie to continue to tell that story because that’s something that really isn’t touched on, I feel, and that’s another thing too, just with any topic, we take it upon ourselves and it’s our responsibility to tell the stories in the best way possible because we know that a lot of this stuff either doesn’t get told at all or doesn’t get told much, unfortunately, and a lot of it is very relevant and very now, and we’re just fortunate enough to have this show’s vessel, this platform, that we can kind of just feed all these messages and all of these views through and four seasons later we’re still doing that. I think it’s very, very cool. They continue to blow me away with how they can weave all of these relevant topics into our story, so I’m sure they’re going to continue to do it.”

Celeb Secrets: Kind of moving way from The Fosters, can you tell us about your band The Late Revival and give us any updates on some upcoming music?

David Lambert: “It’s always a juggling act with the show and what not, so I will say there was some downtime while I finished up shooting and now I’m on hiatus, so literally once I get back to town, that’s like one of the first things that we’re going to be finalizing, but it looks like we’re going to have either a nine or ten song album and we’ll release one or two singles in anticipation for the full album, so I think that’s how we’re going to do it. We’re keeping it very internal until we’re very ready to present what we’ve got, but it’s a complete collaboration with two guys that are in the band with me, Mikey Reid and Jameson Moss, have been friends of mine for years prior to us ever thinking about making a band. We all just happened to play music and we all happened to enjoy playing music together, so my hope is that comes through and that we’re just really a group of friends like doing music on the side and that’s how we want to keep it. We want that vibe. We want that genuine sort of rock and roll kind of thing, so that’s what we’re going for. I’m super excited. I think we should see some stuff this summer, at least the first single, should be coming out maybe August, sometime in August. I know we were definitely aiming for that. We have the single that we had a little sneak peek for called “Devotion.” We released it on Twitter kind of a little subtly, but people definitely caught on and saw and I’ve had it pinned on my profile for a while but that one will probably be our first song we’ll release and then we’ll go from there.”

Celeb Secrets: Besides working on the music, do you have any other plans? I know you like to travel a lot.

David Lambert: “Yeah, I guess it’s become a thing that I travel on hiatus because, I don’t know, I love seeing new things. The last trip I took was to Costa Rica and it was amazing and I was just outside the whole time. It was great. Those experiences I live for. They’re just the best things ever. This time around I actually might stay around California, I was thinking about it, I want to stick around, see what other opportunities might be floating along in California, and also that state, there’s so much to do in that state, so I might just load up and do some weekend trips up and down. Go up North to some parks or go to Palm Springs, San Diego, San Francisco, I mean, there’s so many places I can go, so I’m thinking about just kind of staying local.”

Photos: Eric McCandless/Freeform

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