(Left to right:) Cole Sprouse in 2023, “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody”.Photo:Pascal Le Segretain/Getty;  It’S A Laugh Productions/Walt Disney Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 02: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY - For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) Cole Sprouse attends the Stella McCartney Womenswear Spring/Summer 2024 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 02, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) Sent in by: Nida.Karnani@rcpmk.com

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty;  It’S A Laugh Productions/Walt Disney Tv/Kobal/Shutterstock

Cole Sprousedoesn’t take for granted how “special”The Suite Life of Zack & Codyis for many fans.

“Kudos to the people that write and act and direct and who are creatives on children’s programming,” he tells PEOPLE. The cast and crew of the hit Disney Channel sitcom, who Sprouse remains close with, “never anticipated that it would’ve been such an important part of so many people’s childhoods.”

As theRiverdalestar, 31, points out, “That’s what children’s programming really does. And in a lot of ways, it’s responsible for shaping entire generations.”

Sprouse and his twin brother,Dylan, starred as hotel dwellers Cody and Zack Martin, respectively, onThe Suite Life of Zack and Codyfrom 2005 to 2008 alongsideAshley Tisdale,Brenda Song, Phill Lewis and Kim Rhodes. The leading duo then reprised their roles from 2008 to 2011 in spinoffThe Suite Life on DeckandThe Suite Life Movie.

“It’s really beautiful to see that people still have such a wonderful and nostalgic space still carved out for children’s programming and our show,” says Sprouse, who adds that viewers of all ages continue to show their love on social media and in-person.

(Left to right:) Cole Sprouse, Ashley Tisdale, Brenda Song and Dylan Sprouse in “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody”.DISNEY CHANNEL

THE SUITE LIFE OF ZACK & CODY - \u0022The Suite Life of Zack & Cody\u0022 stars Cole Sprouse as \u0022Cody Martin,\u0022 Ashley Tisdale as \u0022Maddie Fitzpatrick,\u0022 Brenda Song as \u0022London Tipton\u0022 and Dylan Sprouse as \u0022Zack Martin.\u0022 (DISNEY CHANNEL/CRAIG SJODIN) (L TO R) COLE SPROUSE, ASHLEY TISDALE, BRENDA SONG, DYLAN SPROUSE

DISNEY CHANNEL

“We had this moment where Dylan and I were like, ‘We’re not really going to miss our father’s 60th birthday to indulge in an internet meme, are we?’” he says. “It seemed like one of those forks in the road.”

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(Left to right:) Gilland Jones, Cole Sprouse and Dylan Sprouse in “The Suite Life on Deck”.DISNEY CHANNEL

THE SUITE LIFE ON DECK - \u0022Ship-Notized\u0022 - London and Bailey see a hypnotist perform at the ship’s theater where London accidentally falls under the hypnotist’s spell and begins acting like Bailey. While Bailey is happy to have a friend just like her, London starts to annoy her and Bailey must find a way to reverse the trance. Meanwhile, Cody’s chance to impress the dean of admissions at Harvard University is ruined when he tries to help Zack date the dean’s daughter, in \u0022The Suite Life on Deck,\u0022 FRIDAY, JANUARY 30 (8:00-8:30 p.m. ET/PT) on Disney Channel. (DISNEY CHANNEL/DEAN HENDLER)

He adds, “Those parts of our childhoods are really special and golden. And it’s nice to see that we still have that space with people.”

He’ll next appear in the page-to-screen adaptation of Mason Deaver’sI Wish You All the Best.

source: people.com