Mikkal Karim Fidler, who plays Teddy in IT: Welcome to Derry, joined Elias on Pop Culture Unplugged to dive deep into his emotional and gripping journey through the first three episodes of the series. Thoughtful, grounded, and enthusiastic, Mikkal discussed everything from booking the role to the layered guilt and paranoia Teddy carries as Maddie’s disappearance haunts the core of the story.
Joining the Stephen King Universe
For Mikkal, being cast in a project tied to Stephen King was nothing short of life-changing.
He recalled the exact moment he found out—jumping up and down, yelling, with his parents recording his reaction. Within an hour of that email, he was already diving into research, eager to understand the world he’d be stepping into.
Interestingly, he didn’t originally audition for Teddy.
“I went out for Phil first,” Mikkal shared. After reading for Teddy, though, everything clicked. Teddy’s emotional depth and quiet complexity instantly resonated with him.
Why Teddy Was the Perfect Fit
Teddy is described as quiet, caring, logical, and weighed down with guilt after Maddie’s disappearance. Mikkal found the character fascinating because he’s analytical without being cold, a rare balance.
“He’s fact-first and logical, but he’s not emotionless,” he explained. “He still has kindness, grief, and guilt sit right on the surface.”
From the beginning, Mikkal was curious about how someone who thrives on reason would unravel as fear and paranoia sink deeper into the story.
Building a Believable Friendship with Jack Molloy
One of the strongest emotional threads in the series so far is the friendship between Teddy and Phil. Mikkal revealed that their chemistry comes directly from their real-life bond.
Jack Molloy was one of the first people he met on set.
“We rode in the same van my first day,” Mikkal said. “From that moment until our last scene together, we were always in sync.”
Their off-camera friendship made Teddy and Phil’s dynamic feel genuine—especially as tension grows between them in episodes two and three. Teddy believes Phil is hiding his guilt, and Phil thinks Teddy is taking everything too far. Those cracks make their scenes even more powerful.
The Emotional Weight of Teddy’s Guilt
Preparing for Teddy’s emotional burden was a challenge Mikkal didn’t take lightly.
He imagined what it would feel like if one of his closest friends went missing.
“I put myself through a lot of different scenarios,” he said. “Hope, despair, panic… all of it.”
This method shaped the grief, fear, and slowly creeping paranoia that fuel Teddy’s unraveling—especially as he begins losing his grip on logic in Episode 3.
The Most Challenging Scene to Film
Episode 3 puts Teddy through a darker, more supernatural stretch—and behind the scenes, that meant stunt harnesses, suspension rigs, and physically demanding setups.
The hardest moment?
The shot where Teddy drops into frame to scare another character riding a bike.
“It took so much core strength,” Mikkal laughed. “I had to stay completely flat, suspended, and then drop perfectly into the camera.”
Despite the difficulty, it was one of his favorite scenes to shoot.
A Terrifying—and Hilarious—On-Set Surprise
One of his most memorable days on set blended real fear with pure comedy.
While filming the lampshade jump-scare scene, Andy Muschietti burst through a door and screamed at Mikkal mid-take, giving him a genuine fright.
“I fell off the bed,” Mikkal said, laughing. “It was terrifying and hilarious at the same time. But I think it made the take even better.”
What Fans Should Look Out For
Without spoiling anything, Mikkal teased that the season finale is what he’s most excited for fans to experience. From what he’s seen, it’s a thrilling payoff to all the emotional buildup.
He also shared his favorite fan reaction so far—the shocked silence and horrified gasps from friends at his Episode 1 watch party after the final scene.
“It was priceless,” he said.
Would Mikkal Be Friends With Teddy?
When asked if he’d be friends with Teddy in real life, Mikkal didn’t hesitate.
“Yeah, definitely. I appreciate his nuance,” he said.
He admires Teddy’s loyalty, depth, and heart—even when fear and guilt overwhelm him.
And if Teddy could warn his past self before the horror begins?
“Stay away from theaters,” Mikkal joked.
Final Thoughts
Mikkal Karim Fidler’s thoughtful approach to Teddy brings IT: Welcome to Derry a grounded emotional center amidst the eerie supernatural chaos. As the series continues, Teddy’s guilt, friendships, and unraveling psyche promise even more powerful moments ahead.
Fans should buckle up—because according to Mikkal, the best is still to come.