SL: The most exciting thing about this role was getting to work with firearms. It’s not something growing up as a Canadian we have a whole lot of exposure to, so I was fascinated by it and wanted to go head first into that training. The other part was crafting how Alexander moves as a hand-to-hand fighter, which is very different from something like a Shang-Chi. Working with [fight choreographers] Chris and James [Mark], we’d go through choreography and stop because we’d be like, “That feels like a Shang-Chi move.” We would think about what someone would have to do in special forces training. It’s a lot of elbows, very close and guarded, and all about maximum impact. There’s something very brutalist and utilitarian about the way Alexander moves.
There’s an interesting dynamic to navigate with Melissa Barrera’s character because you have to build chemistry with your co-star, but as characters, you also have to build chemistry in this world. What was that experience like?
SL: The best on-screen partnerships come very easily and effortlessly. It was something we knew we were going to have to work on from the beginning, but it just started with lunch and coffee. We talked about what motivated us and what drew us to the roles, then had conversations about life so we understood each other’s entry points as artists. Once we learned that, it became very easy. Barrera is very generous on set. She’s just the best kind of co-star.
Your character is the son of immigrants, which makes him a first-generation American. What cultural elements were important to keep in mind while playing Alexander?
SL: It’s always a balance playing a role like this. You want to balance cultural specificity. There are moments where Alexander and his parents speak Mandarin and Hakka, but we didn’t want that to become the overarching theme. It’s more about this universal feeling that you’re capable of more. We wanted Alexander to feel relatable in a very universal sense. His background is always a part of him, and it’s an element of the show I’m very proud of. We’re excited to introduce the world to their next great spy, even if that spy looks different than you might imagine.
Melissa Barrera Interview
Your character Michelle is a secret agent called in to play a fake girlfriend. What is her background, and has she done this work before?
