From Nemo to Botwin: Alexander Gould on surviving Weeds as a child actor

The voice of the world's most innocent fish found itself at the center of a suburban drug empire. Alexander Gould, who played Shane Botwin on the hit show Weeds, recently opened up about how he was shielded from the series' most intense themes while growing up on set.

Alexander Gould Weeds Experience: Protected from the Dark Side

Starting at just 10 years old, Gould spent his entire adolescence portraying the youngest son of a marijuana-dealing mother. However, he told PEOPLE that he didn't always know what was happening around him. The cast and crew went to great lengths to ensure he wasn't exposed to the grittier aspects of the script, often providing his lines with minimal context to protect his well-being.

Gould described his eight-season run, which ended when he was 18, as a formative era. He credited co-stars like Mary-Louise Parker and Richard Dreyfuss for creating a loving, tight-knit circle. Despite the show's boundary-pushing nature, the environment on set remained safe and supportive for the young star.

The Sharp Pivot from Finding Nemo to Suburban Drug Wars

Before joining Weeds, Gould voiced the titular character in Pixar's Finding Nemo. He jokingly remarked on the irony of transitioning from one of the most family-friendly movies in history to a show that was decidedly the opposite. It's a career trajectory that remains unique in Hollywood history.

Now, Gould is diving back into the industry and auditioning for new roles. He's also expressed interest in launching a podcast to facilitate conversations among former child actors. As the industry faces increased scrutiny over the treatment of minors, Gould wants to provide a platform for peers to share their Hollywood stories.