Styling Assistant: Rachel Olson
Grace Chow is a powerhouse of expertise whose star continues to rise on the worldwide stage. The award-winning Asian Australian actress, playwright, and storyteller has captivated audiences throughout theatre, tv, and movie along with her dynamic performances and fearless dedication to her craft. Most lately, Chow shines within the hit new CW sequence Good Cop/Unhealthy Cop, the place she stars because the lovable and unpredictable Lily Lim alongside Leighton Meester, Luke Cook dinner, and Clancy Brown. The present has obtained glowing evaluations from Hollywood Reporter, Selection, and IndieWire, and Chow’s standout efficiency is quick cementing her as a power to observe within the leisure trade.
Identified for her vary and authenticity, Chow has earned vital popularity of roles in Australia’s Thriller Highway: Origins and The Twelve, with the latter showcasing her depth in dramatic storytelling. She was acknowledged as one Rising Star by the Casting Guild of Australia. Past performing, Chow can also be an achieved author, having gained the celebrated Griffin Award in 2022 for her play The Promise Land. Her work spans comedic, experimental, and dramatic genres—a mirrored image of her curiosity and dedication to pushing inventive boundaries. Whether or not acting on the primary stage or crafting new narratives as a playwright, Chow is deeply invested in bringing underrepresented voices to the forefront, typically advocating for accessibility, interculturality, and inclusion within the arts.
As her affect grows globally, so does the intrigue round her journey and what drives her compelling artistry. In our interview, Chow opens up about her expertise engaged on Good Cop/Unhealthy Cop, how theatre and display screen work form one another, and the friendships she’s shaped alongside the way in which. From her early days as a pupil at WAAPA to the brilliant lights of worldwide tv, Grace Chow’s story is one in all braveness, connection, and artistic evolution—and we’re thrilled to have her share it with us.
Good Cop/Unhealthy Cop has already obtained rave evaluations, and your portrayal of Lily Lim is a standout. What drew you to this position, and the way did you put together to carry her to life?
To start with, thanks to your sort phrases – the response has been actually heartwarming. Actually, this mission is a dream: the inventive staff, the solid, the script… it’s all been unimaginable, and I’m so grateful others suppose so, too. There’s a lot to like about Lily. She’s loud, caring, lovably unhinged, and at all times true to herself – even when it’s bizarre. That’s such a fantastic lesson in life and in artwork: to commit totally. Plus, she has this wild, high-pitched voice that was simply so enjoyable to play with. It’s a pleasure once you’re given the area to make daring decisions as an actor.
Your profession spans theatre, TV, and even playwriting. How do these completely different inventive retailers inform and encourage each other in your work?
They inform and encourage one another on a regular basis! They’re all such completely different practices that you simply start to crave every and the opposite. It retains issues contemporary, particularly after you’ve hung out in just one capability. I notably love assembly different artists and discovering their hyphens: That stunt coordinator is making a brief movie! That showrunner likes to attract! That solid driver runs a restaurant and does musical theatre! I don’t imagine individuals are one and the singular. I feel we’re advanced beings with a lot of contradictions – Creativity is organized chaos. The extra chaos I invite by being an actor, a author, a reader, a lover, a hater – no matter! The extra there’s to arrange, the extra inventive I’m. I feel having a number of practices offers you a fuller spectrum of understanding round artwork types and likewise a better sense of curiosity and unknowingness on the identical time.
Thriller Highway: Origins and The Twelve each showcase your vary as an actress. How did engaged on these initiatives form your method to storytelling?
I feel they actually constructed my confidence in entrance of the digicam. You may watch these again and see how fresh-faced I’m on-screen. I’d at all times felt a mastery on the stage as a stay performer – even at that time. However movie and tv are completely completely different mediums for speaking to the again row in a stay present. Each Thriller Highway: Origins and The Twelve, on the time of filming and launch, had been voted Australia’s primary favorite drama reveals, so the solid and creatives on these had been world-class. To be a newbie in that atmosphere was a real present. I learnt from the very best, which gifted me the silly delusion that I might run with the very best of them – and I nonetheless maintain onto that delusion. There’s a lot rejection on this trade, so somewhat delusion and a whole lot of hope go a good distance. Good Cop Unhealthy Cop is my first comedy on the display screen. I’ve been so blessed with the initiatives I get to participate in. I get to flex each my comedy and dramatic muscle tissue.
You’ve been an advocate for accessibility, interculturality, and inclusion within the arts. Are you able to share how this advocacy shapes your inventive course of and profession decisions?
For me, advocacy reveals up by way of visibility and perspective. It’s in all probability no shock that I’m an actor and author – I’m opinionated and like displaying up. I’m particularly captivated with visibility for Asian artists. We’re right here, and we’re greater than succesful. I’m at all times searching for methods to encourage others who could also be ignored relating to entry and alternative. And also you higher imagine I’ve an inventory of extremely gifted pals I like to recommend at each likelihood. There’s a lot expertise on the market that simply must be given a shot. I’ve been lucky to have pals who’re true changemakers, and I actually look as much as them. It’s inspired me to advocate for entry, which has at all times been obtained actually responsively by the trade. Nevertheless, I do know {that a} optimistic response isn’t the case for all noise-makers. That’s why allyship is so vital, particularly for younger ladies after they determine to talk up.
Successful the Griffin Award for The Promise Land was a big milestone. What impressed that work, and the way did it really feel to have it acknowledged on such a nationwide stage?
I’ve a beautiful interview on the Griffin Web site that explains my inspiration for The Promise Land in case you’d prefer to know extra. However in essence, the play is an experimental work that explores the intersection of faith and colonialism. It’s written by way of the Chinese language lens and can also be structured to plant propagation, which I used to be doing a whole lot of in the course of the COVID-19 lockdown. It was extraordinarily particular to be acknowledged by the Griffin Award. A few of Australia’s most celebrated up to date writers are alumni of that award: Kill Local weather Deniers by David Finnigan and Prima Facie by Suzie Miller are amongst my favorite reads. To say it was affirming is an understatement. The Promise Land was truly the primary full-length play I had ever been paid to jot down. I typically return, and this may sound odd, however I’m shocked I wrote it. I’m actually pleased with it. Once I gained, I truly didn’t inform anybody for some time! I needed to fly into Sydney to obtain this nationwide award, and I deliberate to do it alone. However my greatest buddy Marlanie discovered and provided to fly in with me. I’m so glad I can now share that reminiscence with somebody I really like. There was a giant speech, and I had an incredible outfit with cats throughout it… however I used to be so younger and nervous that I forgot to take my coat off earlier than occurring stage.
Your work spans comedic, experimental, and dramatic genres. What challenges do you face when switching between such various types, and do you will have a favourite style to carry out?
Wow. That is such a wonderful query. what? I don’t actually know if there’s a specific problem that involves thoughts as a result of it’s simply pure pleasure once you get to have breadth in your oeuvre of labor – or to do one thing you’ve simply by no means accomplished earlier than. I really like all genres. I feel typically having slender style can shut you off to so many great inventive potentialities in your artwork. I’ve at all times resisted closing myself off from the chances. It’s good for me to do the bizarre, the humorous, and the intense stuff. It retains my thoughts and my performing versatile. In fact, I’m extra practiced in some genres than others, however I hope to maintain working towards – to have the privilege of being a pupil of performing endlessly… as extensive because it goes and so long as it’ll let me.
Good Cop/Unhealthy Cop brings you into the worldwide highlight alongside abilities like Leighton Meester and Clancy Brown. What has been essentially the most stunning or rewarding a part of collaborating with such a various solid?
This may sound very tacky, however it’s true… I feel it’s been the friendships. I be in contact with everybody – Leighton, Clancy, Luke, sure, and even among the visitor performers! We actually performed comedy like a staff and have become a household. John Quaintance created such a fantastic work atmosphere and has made such a superb present. It’s been one of the vital joyful works I’ve been part of. A number of the solid had been Australians, too – and I’m pleased with that additionally! Like, what a efficiency Luke Cook dinner and Blazey Greatest give… Scott and Will and Shamita! They’re all such abilities. It was a masterclass to have these incredible actors to work with and likewise the extraordinary and skilled John as a showrunner besides. I bear in mind even the make-up division saying the identical factor… that it was their favorite mission they’d labored on as a result of it was enjoyable. Everybody was each gifted and sort! And also you don’t at all times get each! I feel you may see how a lot all of us acquired on once you watch the present.
Wanting forward, are there any dream roles or tales you’re desperate to deal with, both as an actress or author? How do you envision the subsequent chapter of your profession?
I simply wish to hold doing this endlessly: working in movie and tv as an actor and author. I’d like to have a characteristic produced. I’d love to guide a movie. And I’m at all times daydreaming about being in a moody interval drama or a dramatic sci-fi… and never only for the costumes (although, sure, please) however as a result of that’s the enjoyment of performing – to be another person fully in one other world fully. “Fly me to the moon and let me play among the many stars,” à la Frank Sinatra.
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