‘Shadow and Bone’ lead star Jessie Mei Li says casting an Asian for the role was a ‘smart choice’

Half-English, half-Chinese actress Jessie Mei Li will play the lead role on Netflix’s upcoming series “Shadow and Bone.”

In an online interview with the press on Wednesday, Jessie shared that she thought it’s a “smart choice” to have an Asian play Alina Starkov, who also has a mixed race.

“I think it adds to the world building and the character. I was able to bring parts of my life that I haven’t really been able to express through this character,” she said.

Jessie added that she liked how race didn’t determine how the character was supposed to act or think.

“I like that her race is spoken about and you see it and that also, it’s not everything. It’s not the point of it, it’s not all that she is,” she said.

“She is a person first and foremost and I think the way they’ve done it is intriguing to me,” she added.

According to Jessie, Alina has always been one of the characters she loved even from the book because of her development.

“She has flaws, she has fears. She starts off weak and then we watch her grow. I loved that they brought her to life on page.”

Since she would be representing the whole series, as well as the book, Jessie couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed.

“It’s quite scary to be the face of something in lots of ways and I’m just me so it seems a bit weird. I’m still getting my head around it,” she said.

Considering the series the biggest break of her career, she said she’s thankful for her co-stars whose support never faltered.

“I’ve made some absolute lifelong friends and had such a good time like genuinely. It’s such a lovely group of friends and I feel very supported. While it’s a bit scary, I’m also really proud.”

Archie Renaux who will play Malyen Oretsev, meanwhile, said they themselves were each other’s biggest fans. “Everyone’s fantastic in the show. We’re like jealous of each other’s work.”

“Shadow and Bone” is a fantasy series based on Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse novels set to premiere on Netflix April 23.

Jessie and Archie will star alongside Ben Barnes who plays General Kirigan, also known as the Darkling. – RC, GMA News