Liv and Maddie Cast: My Set Visit and Interviews
Meet the Liv and Maddie cast through my original set visit, photos, and interviews with Dove Cameron, Joey Bragg, and Kali Rocha.
The Liv and Maddie cast is led by Dove Cameron, who plays both twins, alongside Joey Bragg, Tenzing Norgay Trainor, Kali Rocha, and Benjamin King as the Rooney family.
I was invited to California to visit the set and meet the cast. Below is a quick guide to who plays whom, followed by my original photos and excerpts from our group interview.
Editor’s note: This article includes reporting from my original set visit. The interview reflects what the cast told us at that time; it is not a new interview.
Liv and Maddie cast: actors and characters
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Dove Cameron | Liv and Maddie Rooney |
| Joey Bragg | Joey Rooney |
| Tenzing Norgay Trainor | Parker Rooney |
| Kali Rocha | Karen Rooney |
| Benjamin King | Pete Rooney |
This table covers the original Rooney family at the heart of the show and our set visit.
Does Dove Cameron play both Liv and Maddie?
Yes—Dove Cameron plays both sisters. Liv returns home after working as an actress in Hollywood, while Maddie is the sporty twin whose interests center on basketball. Their different personalities create much of the show’s sibling comedy.
During our visit, Dove explained how she approached the two roles. Her answer gives a more personal look at the characters than a cast list alone.
My Liv and Maddie set visit and cast interviews
Our blogger trip to Los Angeles included a stop at the studio to meet the cast. We spent about 20 to 30 minutes talking with them as a group. Here are the original interview excerpts from #LivAndMaddieEvent.
Dove Cameron on being like Liv and Maddie
Q: Are you (Dove C) like Maddie in real life?
Dove: Actually, funny enough like super, super short version of the long story. I originally only played one character. And then when they brought us back after 9 months of testing, they sort of informed all of us that it was now a Twin Show. So I didn't audition for either character, so when the opportunity presented itself, our Director Andy Fickman was just sort of like, who do you want these girls to be? And so I just sort of split my own personality down the middle and then turned it up extreme Disney style. So I'm kind of a lot like both of them.
Kali Rocha and Joey Bragg on TV, movies, and family
Q: Compare doing a film vs a TV Show?
Kali: It's sort of like a School year, like when you start a school year, you're like, "I'm gonna get all A's and I love extracurricular activities," and then you get to the end of it and you're like, "I need Summer." So, you know, everything in moderation. I feel like when you get to the end of the Season, you feel like - I want to do a movie. And then you do the movie and you're like, "I can't wait to be back on a Monday through Friday schedule!" So they're both fun for different reasons. I think everybody goes through that for different reasons.
Joey Bragg: Completely different, like we know everybody, we knew the crew here because we've done 3 Seasons for the most part with the same people in this giant big Black Box thing all day so you get to know these people. But coming here is kind of like…
Kali : A Family.
Joey: Yeah, like a safety zone. Like when you go to a movie, it's a new crew, new cast, it's a new everything. And then you come back here and this feels like home base, so a sense of security.
Kali: I'm gonna cut you off here.
Joey: Please do.
Kali: I would also say, and Ben and I could speak to this, we have kids. We are a Mom and a Dad. And a TV schedule is just so lovely for that whereas a Film or an Episodic, you know, which is basically like shooting a Film, you're gone. You know, you're gone around the Clock. So this has been a really nice experience for us to be able to incorporate our kids into this world and they watch the show.
Does Dove Cameron ever mix up Liv and Maddie?
Q: Question for Dove from a reader. They wondered if you ever get confused, sometimes you're Liv and sometimes you're Maddie. Do you ever confuse your Character?
Dove: Well I was so petrified because the Twin thing was just sort of something that just like happened. So they were like, by the way, you're going to be playing Twins. We'll see you on Monday and I was like Ha Ha. I'm gonna get fired. I'm gonna lose my job. They're gonna choose somebody else. So I was just so scared to get it wrong that I like severely over compensated and like went a little wild far in the direction of like they have to be completely separate entities. So during the first Season, I think none of that happened. But I mean, I've never gotten confused but as the Seasons go on, I'll walk into a scene, and I'll be like Wait, who am I?
The family side of the conversation
The conversation also went beyond what viewers see on screen. Kali’s answer brought a parent’s perspective to the work: she explained how a television schedule let her and Benjamin King incorporate their children into that part of their lives. Joey described returning to the show as coming back to a familiar, supportive place.
For families watching together, Liv and Maddie’s different interests offer a simple conversation starter: siblings can care about each other without enjoying all the same things. That is one way to look beyond the jokes and talk about the Rooney family with your own kids.
Other roles you may recognize
- Dove Cameron: Mal in the Descendants films, plus roles in Dumplin’ and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. These credits are listed in Disney’s official biography.
- Tenzing Norgay Trainor: Cam in Freeridge, confirmed by the Netflix cast listing.
These are selected credits beyond the Rooney family roles, rather than a claim about every cast member’s latest project.
Watch a Liv and Maddie clip
Disney’s “Count Me In” clip offers a look back at the show’s musical side.
You can also revisit the SPARF-A-Rooney sneak peek linked in the original article.
Frequently asked questions about the Liv and Maddie cast
Who plays the roles of Liv and Maddie on the show?
Dove Cameron plays both Liv Rooney and Maddie Rooney, the twin sisters at the center of the Disney Channel series.
Are the actresses who play Liv and Maddie actually twins?
No. Liv and Maddie are fictional identical twins, but one actress, Dove Cameron, plays both characters.
Who are the other main cast members on Liv and Maddie?
The original Rooney family cast includes Joey Bragg as Joey, Tenzing Norgay Trainor as Parker, Kali Rocha as Karen, and Benjamin King as Pete.
What is Dove Cameron known for besides Liv and Maddie?
Dove Cameron also plays Mal in Disney’s Descendants films. Her other acting credits include Dumplin’ and Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Did any of the cast members have notable careers after Liv and Maddie?
Yes. Dove Cameron appeared in Dumplin’, and Tenzing Norgay Trainor played Cam in Netflix’s Freeridge. These are examples of later credits, rather than a complete list of their work.
How did Dove Cameron prepare for playing dual roles?
During our original set-visit interview, Dove explained that she split aspects of her own personality into two more exaggerated characters. She also described working hard to keep Liv and Maddie distinct during the first season.
What awards did the cast receive for Liv and Maddie?
Dove Cameron won a Daytime Emmy for her performance as Liv and Maddie. Disney’s official biography identifies the dual role as Emmy Award-winning.
