Exclusive Interview: Yvonne Chapman Talks Kung Fu Season 3, Zhilan’s Transformation, and More

Yvonne Chapman is captivating audiences with her transformative performance as Zhilan in the CW’s Kung Fu.

Now in its third season, the series picks up following the aftermath of an earthquake that hits Chinatown, leaving Nicky (Olivia Liang), her family, and her community attempting to rebuild their beloved city in more ways than one. Nicky, still reeling from her abrupt breakup with her boyfriend Henry (Eddie Liu), and the shocking death of her nemesis-turned-ally Zhilan (Yvonne Chapman), puts on a brave face as she juggles a new job teaching kung fu while fighting a growing crimewave in San Francisco. But she’s thrown on her heels by the introduction of a mysterious vigilante, Bo (guest star Ben Levin) — and the shattering return of a woman who appears to be her deceased shifu, Pei-Ling (Vanessa Kai).

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to chat with Yvonne about Kung Fu Season 3, her character’s redemption arc and transformation, and more!

PC: The last time we spoke was in Season 1, and you said that Zhilan was the hero in her own story. As the series has gone on, we’ve seen and felt that transformation. How early on did Christina [M. Kim] and Bob [Berens] clue you in on this redemption arc? How soon after that Season 2 finale did they tell you that they were bringing you back for Season 3?
Yvonne: At the end of Season 1, I wasn’t sure if her story was ending. I pretty much assumed that it was because it kind of wrapped up in a neat bow for her to be the season’s villain. I just assumed there would be another villain that wasn’t me in the next season.

Then, I got a wonderful phone call from Bob and Christina asking if I wanted to be a series regular. So with that, it meant that I would be coming back. It was at that point that I was clued in that if Zhilan was coming back that we were going to see a transition period for her—from her going from the big baddie to maybe not so bad, to maybe a little bit better, and then having this full-on redemption story. It’s been a really great, wild ride, and to take her through that process is a lot of fun, to say the least!

PC: I know that ahead of each season, Christina and Bob sit down with each of the actors and discuss what they want to see from their characters. What did you want to make sure was part of her storyline in Season 3?
Yvonne: When I talked to them about Season 3, I wanted to learn more about her purpose this season because in Seasons 1 and 2, she really wanted to go after Russell Tan—that man and that family were her sole concern. It was her revenge arc for her family.

This season, what we’ve seen from her, is a softening. She still hasn’t lost that bite, which was really important to me because that’s so much of what her personality is. So, I think she can do good in her own way, and that’s what we’re seeing.

As far as her purpose, she is really focused on saving Pei-Ling, having that family dynamic, and what that means for her. What does family mean for her? What does a community mean for her? Being a part of the Shooby gang has been a lot of fun. That’s what we discussed: what does this journey look like for her now? What is she going? Who is that going to be with?

PC: You’ve handled her journey with so much nuance, especially her vulnerability. In Episode 307, we see this beautiful moment between Pei-Ling and Zhilan where they’re able to reconnect and come to terms with their past. What was your reaction when you read that scene? How did you prepare for that moment?
Yvonne: That was something that was actually talked about at the beginning of the season. It goes back to your previous questions. As you said, there was a reconciliation. We did talk about that moment because the nuance is there. There’s as much that was unsaid as there was that was said in that moment.

Zhilan isn’t someone to really confront those feelings; she does things through actions. For her, saving Pei-Ling, may be her way to show that: “Hey, I’m really sorry,” but it’s like, no, that’s not enough. You have to confront it, right in front of you. Nicky really showed her that. Having that discussion with them was really nice because that was a moment that was really, really due for those two, especially having finally come together in real life since that moment in the pilot of Season 1. That was a really cathartic experience. We worked through that scene quite a bit just to see what wording worked together to really do both of these characters justice and show what they were feeling at that moment.

PC: Your character brings a lot of humor and she’s become the voice of reason in many different situations. How much of that is adlib versus scripted? How much fun is it for you to bring that levity to a series where everything is so high stakes?
Yvonne: Who would’ve thought she would be the voice of the reason? There are so many times on set where I’m in the Shen family household and you get crew members being like, “Did you ever think you would be here in Season 1?” I’m like, “No, this is bizarre, but also really fun.” For her to be the voice of reason shows how much she’s grown in her point of view from Season 1 all the way to here.

Most of it is straight from the script. Hats off to the writers for that. They’ve really nailed her humor on the head. It’s been really fun to play the one-liners that they always give her; there’s always sarcasm in them. They really embrace that. I really love being able to bring that out, especially with the new dynamics—her interactions with the family and now Henry, too. That’s been a really fun dynamic that Eddie [Liu] and I have fleshed out with them. The banter has been really great.

PC: This has been the longest that you’ve lived with a character. Has anything surprised you about this experience? What’s been the biggest lesson that Zhilan has taught you?
Yvonne: Wow. She’s taught me to allow for surprises. It talks a lot about the trajectory of her growth as a character. Starting from Season 1, I had this idea of who she was because it was all laid out there; it was written. That’s who I thought she was going to be and thought she’d stay that way because I didn’t know what was ahead for her in the future. Serendipitously, that’s where the character is right now; she doesn’t know what her future is and to embrace that. I’ve also layered on my own personal experiences because that’s what life is, too. We have to show those little nuances of humanity within the script. That’s what she’s really taught me. It’s the flexibility of being open about what she could become and what she is, while also staying true to some of her characteristics that I absolutely love. I learned what I loved about her through these three seasons and really tried to embrace that and to carry that through no matter what her journey is. I love her bites. I don’t ever want to see that go away. That’s what she taught me. I’ve been really grateful for that. I’m so happy I get to play her.

PC: You and her have had so many standout moments throughout the three seasons. What’s been your favorite scene to film? Which has been the most challenging?
Yvonne: I think my favorite episode was probably the last one (308)—and maybe because it’s so new and fresh—but it’s the one where she goes undercover and the whole espionage thing with Althea. It was a lot of fun to play because it’s another facet that was different but also encompasses everything that was worked on to get to her to that moment.

The challenging scenes have been the really emotional scenes throughout the three seasons. I love those scenes because they showed her vulnerability. Those moments were really key in her development and growth and allowed me to have empathy for and an understanding of her. Those were the best, but also the hardest, too, because in those moments I’m like, “I really got to nail it.” You only got a page and a bit, and it’s like where am I going to find those moments of connection for her so that she can resonate with people.

PC: What’s ahead for Zhilan for the rest of the season?
Yvonne: Audiences will get to see the thing, from what I’ve read, that they’re hoping to see, which is great. There are going to be a lot of things that are going to be unexpected, but I do think you get to see a moment of acceptance for Zhilan, and it’s not going to be in a way that I think people will likely expect, but there is an acceptance, and then it’ll also start a beginning of something for her.

PC: Outside of Kung Fu, you’re also going to be starring in The Stranger and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Is there anything you can tease about either project?
Yvonne: The Stranger is a short film. If you recall from Season 1, Curtis Lum (he played the designer dude), he and I have known each other for a really long time because he’s from Vancouver as well. He’s producing the short. He was like, “Hey, I’ve got this project. You’d be great for it. Would you be willing to come out to meet with us and see what it’s about?” I met with the director. He’s great. We filmed that in a weekend. I got to see it recently! It’s doing its festival rounds and stuff right now. It was a really fun project to do with people in my hometown. I’m really looking forward for people to see it when we can show it.

And for Avatar, I’m really excited for people to see it. I actually haven’t seen anything. I’m going to say that right now. The only stuff that I’ve seen is little snippets of my own stuff. I know what Kyoshi looks like with the costume—that’s not going to disappoint. I’ve seen snapshots of photos of things on set. It looks so cool. I don’t think the fans are going to be disappointed.

Like I said in the past, the creative team are fans of Avatar; they grew up watching the show. Right when I first got onto set, everybody was so excited to be there. Everybody had so much passion and love for what they were doing on the show because they’re fans of it. They’re fans of the story, so seeing them create this world and having them put in so much into it and have so much heart into it, I don’t think it’s going to disappoint.

PC: Throughout your career, you’ve done such a great job of picking projects that have had an impact on audiences. What is your vetting process like deciding what you go out for? Has it changed as a result of being a part of Kung Fu and seeing the fan response to the series?
Yvonne: As an actor, most of my job is auditioning and looking through those auditions and being like, “I hope that I get this part.” I’m fortunate that the projects that I’ve been a part of have chosen me. I’m very fortunate in the fact that I’ve gone out for these projects, and they saw something that I could bring of value to them. I’m so grateful that I get to work on these projects, Kung Fu being one of them. Going forward, I hope that I get to be in more projects like this because you’re right, they really do say something. That’s such a gift and a blessing as an actor to be able to say something with your work. It’s the whole collective team. It’s the creative village that it takes to create these stories that I really give credit to for all of that. I’m lucky that they’ve chosen me.

PC: As you look ahead, what’s left on your bucket list?
Yvonne: In this hiatus period, I’ve been writing a lot. I’ve been submitting my stuff for grants and financing and trying to create my own stuff. I love directing. I’ve only directed a couple of shorts at this point, but I’m really looking to practice and learn as much as I can about that world. Kung Fu has been really great. They let me shadow direct Joe Menendez, who is phenomenal, and taught me a lot. I’m looking to put that into practice now. That’s what I’m hoping I get to do as part of acting later down the road because acting is first and foremost my love, and I’m never going to quit doing that as long as people will have me. But in terms of other things, that’s where I am.

PC: Have you found that your work behind the camera has affected the way that you approach your work as an actor and vice versa?
Yvonne: 100%. That’s such a great question. Before I even knew if I wanted to direct, I always had the mindset that the more I get to know about everybody else’s job, the better that I could be at my mine. I need to have an understanding of the entire process so I can make better decisions in front of the camera and also in between takes. The more that I know about what everyone else does, it’ll make the product better overall. I’ve always been of the mindset that the more you learn about what it is that you’re doing in your workplace, you will make better decisions for yourself and others.

To keep up with Yvonne, follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Watch Kung Fu on the CW.

Photo Credit: Richie Lubaton