Logan Lerman, celebrated for his diverse roles, finds a profound personal connection to his character in the new Hulu series “We Were the Lucky Ones.”
In portraying Addy Kurc, based on Georgia Hunter’s novel detailing her family’s survival during the Holocaust, Lerman delves into the emotional depth of the role and its resonance with his own family history.
The 32-year-old actor shares how the character of Addy Kurc struck a chord with him, drawing parallels to his own grandfather’s journey during the Holocaust. Reflecting on his grandfather’s experience fleeing Germany at a young age with his family and finding refuge in China, Lerman reveals the deeply personal nature of the role.
“I read the book and fell in love with Georgia’s family story. It really resonated with me in a personal way because Addy, who is Georgia Hunter’s grandfather in real life, his story really resembled my grandfather’s story and I hadn’t seen that explored before,” Lerman tells PEOPLE about his character.
Drawing from his family’s history, Lerman reflects on the similarities between Addy’s solitary journey in “We Were the Lucky Ones” and his own grandfather’s struggle for survival. He acknowledges the emotional weight of portraying a character grappling with guilt, longing for family, and navigating the uncertainties of finding refuge.
Lerman emphasizes the significance of portraying such a character with a deep personal connection, honoring his grandfather’s memory throughout the filming process.
“I think that there is a different sense of connection to the story when it’s something so personal that really lines up with your family’s history…. it resonates in a different way when you’re making it. And the whole time I had my grandfather in mind and it was a tribute to him in a lot of ways.”
In addition to the familial connections, Lerman finds excitement in embodying Addy’s vibrant personality, describing him as a larger-than-life character who finds solace in entertaining others.
Despite the challenging subject matter, Lerman reflects on the joyous experience of filming “We Were the Lucky Ones,” praising the camaraderie among the cast and crew, including his longtime friend and co-star Joey King.
While acknowledging that not everyone may have a personal connection to the story, Lerman believes viewers can still find relevance in its themes of resilience and hope, resonating with the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.
“We Were the Lucky Ones” is now available for streaming on Hulu, offering audiences a poignant and deeply moving portrayal of survival and resilience during one of history’s darkest chapters.