Saskatoon actor lands role on Paramount’s Grease series

Grease is the word for Cole Neumeier, a 23-year-old actor and dancer from Saskatoon.

Neumeier landed his first acting gig on Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies, a TV series on Paramount+ that premiered on April 6. The show serves as a prequel to the original Grease musical.

Neumeier plays the role of Bill, whom the actor described as a “floater kid” who doesn’t know where he fits.

“He kind of wants to hang out with everybody but doesn’t quite get along with everyone. He gets picked on by the T-birds,” Neumeier said.

His character can be seen accompanied by his on-screen girlfriend, Edith.

“Often they’re together with lots of displays of affection,” Neumeier said with a laugh.

He said the role wasn’t an easy one to land.

“The audition process was bonkers,” he said, explaining that it involved readings and dance auditions. “I think they just sent out the audition to as many people that fit the bill – no pun intended.”

He was told more than 400 people auditioned for his part.

His passion for the arts is rooted at home in Saskatoon, where Neumeier started dancing at his mom’s studio, Kristy’s Dance Fusion.

“I joined in full force at nine (years old) and I’ve been doing it ever since,” he said.

The actor moved to Vancouver after high school, and although Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies is his first acting role, he said he’s worked as a dancer in productions like Descendants 3, the Freaky Friday remake on Disney Channel, and even Riverdale.

Neumeier said he hopes to grow in his acting career, and has his fingers crossed for a second season of the show.