Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with NCIS: Hawaiʻi’s Kian Talan

Kian Talan is an emerging storyteller who is using his voice to bring awareness to underrepresented communities in mainstream media.

He’ll next be seen in his starring role as Alex Tennant in NCIS: Hawai’i.

Pop Culturalist had the pleasure of speaking with Kian about using his platform to push inclusive narratives forward, NCIS: Hawai’i, and more.

PC: How did you discover your passion for acting?
Kian: I never did any theater growing up, but I loved film and TV. I always had this creative/artsy bug, but never pursued it. To be honest, I was just trying to keep my head down and fit in. I was a Filipino kid in a white suburban town of New Hampshire, and let’s just say I didn’t need any more attention on me.

Once I graduated, I moved out to NYC, and it opened my eyes to so many different kinds of people. I became friends with many artists, so I decided to enroll in an acting conservatory. Through that process, I found a voice that I didn’t think I had. I’ve been obsessed with the craft ever since.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Kian: My biggest influences are the friends that I’ve made through acting classes and films—in particular, my friend Laney Allan, who is also my self-tape coach now. She is such a talented actress and has been rooting for my success since day one. Having close bonds with people who go through the same struggle as you, understand the craft, and challenge your art is invaluable in this industry because it is easy to feel alone.

PC: There have been a lot of conversations about diversity and representation in this industry. As an Asian American, what has your experience been like? Have you felt the slow progress being made?
Kian: Progress is definitely happening for Asian representation in mainstream media, and it’s all because we are viewing ourselves differently. We now realize that we deserve to be heard, we deserve to tell our own stories, and we have the power to change the narrative that has been told of Asian Americans for a long time. I’m really excited to be a part of this movement and continue to push forward Asian representation, not only in front of the camera but behind the camera as well!

PC: You graduated with a degree in computer science. How challenging was it for you to make the decision to pivot into acting?
Kian: I’m not going to lie, it was very easy for me. I quit my computer science job the same day I received the offer letter from CBS. Acting has always been my passion, and I knew it was an opportunity that I couldn’t say no to. I also have a responsibility to myself and all Filipino Americans to do anything I can to push the movement forward.

PC: Tell us about NCIS: Hawai’i, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Kian: I play Alex Tennant, a sixteen-year-old kid who is smart, loyal, and determined. In the first season, you will see Alex struggle with his mom’s dedication to her job, his family’s expectations of him, and his parent’s recent divorce. Because of all the changes happening in his life, Alex gains a lot of responsibility and doesn’t handle it the best way.

After reading the pilot, I was immediately drawn to this project because of the characters and stories that were being told. There is so much diversity and representation in this show—from NCIS’s first female lead to LGBTQ+ representation to a Filipino family at the forefront of this franchise. I really hope people will feel seen in this show, and I’m honored I get to be a part of it.

PC: Your character means a great deal to a community that wants to see their stories represented authentically on screen. What has it meant to you to pave that way?
Kian: It’s surreal that I get to portray a Filipino in mainstream media, because it’s very rare to get this opportunity. I have auditioned so many times for Korean and Chinese, but never Filipino characters—I’ve even gone in for Latino roles—so it’s groundbreaking for me that I can just play who I am, because that’s what they wanted. I really hope that other Filipinos see themselves in the Tennant family. It’s very exciting to be part of this movement.

PC: This is your biggest role to date. Did anything surprise you about the experience? What’s been the biggest takeaway?
Kian: It’s really interesting because I realized that I started to get into old habits. I mean, as an actor, you constantly build on your mentality, confidence, and craft. This is the biggest role I’ve ever had on network television. So, when I started filming NCIS: Hawai’i, such a big franchise with major expectations, I immediately felt the pressure that made me start to question myself. You get imposter syndrome. So, the biggest takeaway is to constantly remind myself: I deserve to be here—if I commit myself to the craft, that’s all that matters, and trust my gut because it got me this far.

Pop Culturalist Speed Round

PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Kian: Million Dollar Listing NYC/LA, Selling Sunset (big fan of real estate shows), The Circle, The Greatest British Baking Show…basically, any reality TV show that is so bad but so good.

PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Kian: Any comedy movie with Melissa McCarthy, Seth Rogan, Amy Schumer…any movie or show that Steve Carrell is in.

PC: Favorite book?
Kian: I enjoy reading a play/screenplay over a book. I’m currently reading Ocean Vuong’s On Earth Were Briefly Gorgeous. It’s so good.

PC: Favorite play or musical?
Kian: Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Book of Mormon, Les Misérables… [laughs] I’m also always down for a Pitch Perfect marathon on TV.

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Kian: I love moody, depressing music; [laughs] it makes me happy—so NF, Leon Bridges, Aquilo, Dean Lewis, Jeremy Zucker, and James Arthur.

PC: Dream role?
Kian: My dream role would be an independent project that is raw and truthful. Anything that introduces new topics and conversations.

To keep up with Kian, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Watch NCIS: Hawaiʻi’ every Monday at 9/8c on CBS.

Photo Credit: L Morgan Lee