Why “Vampire Academy” Star Andrew Liner Is Team Mason: “He's the Good Guy”

In our Q&A series “POPSUGAR Crush,” we get to know some of our favorite celebs’ more intimate details – from their ideal first date to their most romantic gesture. This month, we’re crushing on “Vampire Academy” star Andrew Liner.

Andrew Liner is relishing in the success of “Vampire Academy,” which premiered on Peacock in September.

“I feel so many amazing, positive things,” the 22-year-old actor tells POPSUGAR of playing Mason Ashford, who’s a Dhampir, or half-vampire/half-human, in the show. “Mason is a sweet, loving person, and to get to jump into that guy for around eight months was something special and taught me a lot about what I need to learn and practice in my life.”

Based on the book series by Richelle Mead, “Vampire Academy” centers on the friendship between Rosemary “Rose” Hathaway (Sisi Stringer), also a Dhampir, and royal Moroi princess Vasilisa “Lissa” Dragomir (Daniela Nieves). It follows the two friends as they navigate relationships and battle adversaries that threaten their lives while studying at St. Vladimir’s Academy. And, of course, there’s plenty of romance, including Rose’s complicated love triangle with Mason and Dimitri Belikov (Kieron Moore).

As the show nears the end of its first season run, Liner says viewers should get ready to “see some things.” Without giving too much away, he teases, “I think that you’re going to get to see a lot of who Mason is in these final two episodes as the story kind of comes to – I wouldn’t say a close, but more so a cliffhanger. We’re going to get to see who he is in the most natural in-your-face type of way.”

While Peacock has yet to officially renew “Vampire Academy” for a second season, Liner says he’d “love to return” for another. He adds, “Where we’re at in the season right now with episode eight, I think the world we’re living in, there’s a lot of turmoil, there’s a lot of conflicts, and it’s very unsettling. So let’s say the season ended there – I think there would be a lot I would be looking forward to seeing in the next season, like what sort of things change, how Mason changes, how Dhampir change and who they start backing. … But I think that we’re in a very interesting place and it’s going to be fascinating to see where everyone goes.”

Although Liner has previously appeared in “Better Things” and “Grown-ish,” his portrayal of Mason marks his biggest role to date. “It was my first series regular,” Liner notes. “I really learned a lot as an artist and an actor. And I’m just going to continue to learn and apply those things into the next and the next job.”

And as a mixed-race actor, Liner’s biggest goal is to continue inspiring underrepresented kids. “I want to be a face for some of the little kids out there that haven’t seen themselves before and don’t have that representation,” Liner explains. “Because I think that’s very important, especially for mixed kids not feeling that they can fit in – not being Black enough, not white enough, not Latino enough, whatever it may be. I want them to know it’s OK. I want people to be able to see themselves and smile at that.”

See what else Liner had to say about “Vampire Academy,” dating, and so much more ahead.

Are you Team Mason or Dimitri?

I’m Team Mason. I think that he’s the good guy, he’s a right choice – nothing against Dimitri [Kieron Moore]. Dimitri and Mason respect each other because they come from the same background, but at the same time, Mason’s such a good guy. He’s such a sweetheart.

Who is your favorite vampire couple of all time?

I liked Damon and Elena [from “The Vampire Diaries”]. This is probably not a popular opinion, but it’s just more interesting that way.

What is your favorite vampire project to date?

I’m really looking forward to the new “Interview with the Vampire,” because I liked the [1994] movie with Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. And I love the actor who played Grey Worm [in “Game of Thrones,” Jacob Anderson]. He also makes music under the name Raleigh Ritchie and he’s another mixed man in entertainment. And as an actor, there’s not many of us, so I’m always rooting for him.

What is your favorite form of self-care?

I’m a little weird. I like having a packed day, like I would have tennis in the morning, train for two hours, eat, relax, maybe watch a movie, and then work out for three, four hours or something like that, just something crazy, because I’m a crazy kid. But that kind of is my self-care when you’re getting after it.

What is your go-to coffee or tea order?

I don’t drink coffee, so I guess my tea order would be . . . if I’m feeling sick or I’m prepping for a show and my voice is not there, then I would do Throat Coat, with half of it being honey. Or, if I’m just doing a nice bath and candles, then I might do a mint tea.

What is your signature scent/go-to cologne?

I don’t wear cologne or any scents because my mom is usually allergic to all of them. So I’m always telling people like, “Hey, don’t wear anything because my mom’s going to get mad at me for not telling you, but then I did tell you. And so it’s going to be a whole thing.” But I guess if I had to pick a scent, it would be a warm marshmallows-by-the-fire type of candle.

What would your dating profile say about you?

It would probably say something along the lines of, “I’m an actor; I’m an athlete; I’m 22; I’m in this new TV show called ‘Vampire Academy’; I’m a gentleman; and I want to explore the world.'”

What is your ideal first date?

I think you can never go wrong with dinner. So I guess my ideal first date would be a nice early dinner. And we’re just at the restaurant for maybe five hours, still talking and getting to know each other. And then maybe – because I’m a movie buff – watch one of our favorite movies.

What is your biggest turn-on/turn-off?

Passion and drive is the biggest turn-on for me. I love people that are just go, go, go, super passionate, love what they do, and driven. That’s always really important to me. I grew up in an environment like that, and it means a lot to me. Turn-off, I guess, is the [opposite]. Not having that drive or just being like, “Oh, OK,” people-pleasing, or just not really having that fire, because I try to be the hardest worker in the room always. And I want my partner to be trying to beat me at that. And I think that’s important. When you’re with someone who’s not matching your energy like that, it’s not necessarily ideal – at least for me. Sometimes it works for other people, but for me I’d rather it not.

What is the most romantic thing that you’ve ever done?

Well, it’s kind of pathetic, but I think it’s romantic in a way. I drove six hours to give this girl a letter that I wrote her.