- 3 days ago
The stars of 'Bridgerton,' Katie Leung and Isabella Wei, talk with hosts from Audacy in London about Season 4 Part 2.
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00:00First, I have to just kick off with a question. Clearly, the question is how? Because you're the mother and
00:10you're the daughter. How? Where? Where? Let's talk about that first, because that's the elephant in the room.
00:18Yes. That's so funny. Well, I think we've spoken about this quite a lot. Well, I'm 21. Katie's 38. And
00:28my character is 17. So in that time of Regency era, when the girls are getting married at 16 years
00:34old, it's actually right. And Katie, as we can all see, is beautiful, very fresh and very young.
00:40Thank you. But as in, I think there's been a lot of discussion online about how Katie's not meant to
00:47play a mom.
00:48But I mean, she has those good Asian genes and there's nothing that we can do. Those are facts.
00:53Yeah, except skincare. No, do you know what? My skincare routine is non-existent. Stop. I'm not even kidding. Like,
01:03yeah, I just...
01:04Are you making us jealous that we do? No, I'm not. I'm not jealous.
01:08It's just genetics. It's just genetics. And also, like, I may look fresh and all that on the outside. That's
01:15through, like, you know, three hours of hair and makeup. But on the inside, I'm dying.
01:19And that's...
01:22Which is a great, great way to get into the character, because on the inside, your character's a monster.
01:27Absolutely.
01:28And the outside. What?
01:29Yeah, I know.
01:30So how did you prepare for this? Because you seem to be such a kind person.
01:34Oh, fine.
01:35How did you prepare for this role?
01:39I don't know, you know. I think I took a lot of inspiration from my granny.
01:44Who is quite a formidable woman. She's passed away, but, you know, God bless her.
01:51She was always kind of, like, the matriarch of the family. Very dominant. Like, you know, everyone does what she
01:58tells them to do.
01:59And, like, you know, there was... She was just an incredible woman. And she would do these kind of, like,
02:05side-eye glances that were deadly.
02:09Like, if looks could kill kind of thing. And I think I learned a lot of that from her. But,
02:14you know, inside, she was, you know, from her perspective, it was coming from a place of love and protection
02:20for her children.
02:21Like, she would have done anything for her kids. And I think it's the same for Araminta.
02:27And we were talking about that earlier with your grandmother.
02:30So, I am first generation Asian American. My father's side of the family is Japanese. And first and foremost, let
02:38me say, it was, I was so deeply moved to see representation on the screen and in the Bridgerton universe.
02:45But I found myself, like, having so much compassion for Araminta because of my relationship with my own grandmother.
02:56And there is sort of that quintessential, you know, cruelty dragon lady. Sort of, like, stereotypes are often based in
03:06reality.
03:06And so, I was curious if you were leaning into any personal relationships.
03:12Oh, yeah, absolutely. And I think, like, you know, culturally, I speak for myself, I guess, but also from experience
03:22that, like, I've just not been very good with, like, expressing myself growing up.
03:28It's only now that I kind of realize the importance of kind of just being vulnerable and open and all
03:35these things.
03:35But certainly, like, the women around me who raised me, like, you know, it was just stiff upper lip.
03:42You know, you just kind of, you just carry on and you have to kind of just move forward no
03:48matter, you know, what happens.
03:50You've got to pretend everything's fine.
03:53And I think Araminta's, you know, had done that for so long and she's built up these walls and, but
04:00inside she's soft and vulnerable and, like, you know, she's very, she's a very hurt woman who, you know, hurt
04:08people, hurt people.
04:10Um, so, yeah.
04:14Yep.
04:15Well, it's so funny you talk about, like, the softness.
04:17I think we're all sort of watching this incredible thing happening with Alyssa Liu who, like, has come back and
04:23she's, like, killing it.
04:24And it's all stemmed from, like, joy this time and not burnt out.
04:28And I think whatever the culture is, like, I'm Italian or being a strong black woman or being Mexican, like,
04:32we all have to have this stiff upper lip.
04:35Okay, POC.
04:39But I do think generationally we're moving into this realm now of no more.
04:46Like, it's killing us.
04:47Soft girl era.
04:48Soft girl era.
04:49And I will make fun of it with my therapist for the next time.
04:53I'm trying to get there, okay.
04:55Do you think that we'll see in upcoming seasons maybe Araminta or the family leaning into the softer side as
05:06it continues on with her daughters as well?
05:09Because it, like you said, it does come from love.
05:11It comes from love.
05:12Yeah.
05:13I mean, certainly I feel like towards the end of the season or, you know, that kind of very last
05:18scene, we do see a sort of glimpse of Araminta where...
05:23And we see her vulnerable.
05:25Yeah.
05:26Even with Posey.
05:28Yes.
05:28And, you know, whether or not that's a mask, you know, we all have to see.
05:33But, yeah, definitely in that last episode we see Araminta kind of that wall breaking down because she can't hold
05:41it anymore.
05:41It's not like a choice that she made, but it's that, you know, with the pressure that she's put on
05:46herself and everyone has put on her, it's something's bound to crack.
05:50Yeah.
05:51And I think it's really nice that we get to see that.
05:53Definitely.
05:54I'm looking forward to that because right now I don't like you.
05:58That's okay.
05:59I don't like you.
06:00That's fine.
06:01If you get to the end of the season and you still don't like me, that is close.
06:06And that's what I wonder because this is a character that you're like the villain.
06:10You're the wicked stepmom.
06:12I'm a bonus mom, as I call her.
06:14I have a 13-year-old bonus daughter.
06:16And, oh, you even get emotional right now.
06:18I know it's not real.
06:19But I literally teared up and, like, tears came to my eyes when I felt the disconnection.
06:25Did that do anything to you personally?
06:27Did you learn from this character about maybe how you didn't want to be as a mother or if you
06:32end up in a blended family?
06:33How did that or what did that teach you personally?
06:36I mean, I have a three-year-old.
06:39And, you know, our relationship is the opposite of what Araminta has with her children.
06:44And, like, it works.
06:46And, you know, everything that we do together comes from a place of love and joy.
06:54And I would not like to have it any other way.
06:57And in a way, like, because I've experienced that, I really sympathised with Araminta that she wasn't able to go
07:06there with her children.
07:07And with this kind of scarcity mindset.
07:11Yeah.
07:12So I think that really helped in kind of that transformation.
07:21Because then it came, because then I was like, oh, God, I really want to make sure that I find
07:31the compassion for you.
07:32That then when I play you, I can find that nuance and not just make you a villain.
07:41Because I also get it because I've seen it in my grandmother.
07:44I've seen it in other women in my life.
07:47And it's just, you know, it does, it's a lose, kind of lose situation.
07:52Especially for that period because women had to find ways to survive.
07:57Survive.
07:57Right, yes.
07:58Yeah.
07:59Yeah.
07:59And kudos to you for playing that role so well.
08:02To make us feel like we cannot stand you.
08:05But then it's such a wonderful way you play it.
08:08I mean, it's not like over the top.
08:10You're not hitting us in the head with it.
08:11It's just like you said, you can do that stare, that glance, and feel that ice cold.
08:17You know, so kudos to you.
08:18And I really relate to your character being the more sensitive daughter and caring daughter.
08:24And what I would like to know from you both is, were you fans of Bridgerton before you were cast?
08:30Also, when you were cast, did you have concerns that you would, well, did you have concerns whether you would
08:36be accepted into the Bridgerton fold by Bridgertonians, the fans?
08:40Oh, yeah, definitely.
08:44I think I was a fan of Bridgerton before I watched it.
08:49And it was so exciting just knowing the casting brief that they had introduced a whole family of East Asian
08:56women.
08:56It was very exciting.
08:58It wasn't like you were this one quintessential, you know, trademark Asian person in the show.
09:04East Asian person in the show, but it was that there was a whole, there was three other Asian women
09:08who were being cast alongside you.
09:10And that was really, really exciting.
09:12And, yeah, there was definitely a worry.
09:15But from what I'd seen and from what I'd met of the cast already, I think when our casting announcement
09:20came out,
09:21everyone was really supportive and really, you know, accepting of us.
09:25And I think the Bridgerton fans are really Bridgerton fans that whatever the show ends up doing and how it
09:33changes from the books,
09:34they're quite, yeah, they're here to, they're here for the journey and they're here for us.
09:39And I think that's really special.
09:41So very quickly, the anxiety went away.
09:44Good, good, good.
09:45Yeah.
09:45I mean, same with me.
09:47I found it, in my head, it was going to be this really overwhelming experience.
09:50And we go on to set and, you know, it's like, you know, your first day of school or something.
09:56But because, you know, I'd met Isabella at the audition and then we went for, like, lunch.
10:03Yeah.
10:04And we had hot pot.
10:05Yeah.
10:05And we had coffee that one time.
10:07Oh, yeah, we did.
10:08Yeah.
10:09So, like, I felt like, you know, I was coming into it with someone I knew and, like, you know,
10:13like family.
10:14And that always helps.
10:15But then to actually meet the OGs and I was like, wow, these guys are just so friendly and welcoming.
10:24And, you know, I just, like, I felt so safe to just be myself and then also to be able
10:30to play as an actor.
10:32Just be like, I can do whatever I want and no one's going to judge me.
10:36And that's always really nice to be in that kind of space.
10:40Yeah.
10:42Listen, speaking of fans, of course, there's the Bridgerton fandom.
10:45But people like Kim Kardashian were gushing about season four Bridgerton.
10:50She was cuddled up on her couch.
10:51Yes.
10:52On her stories.
10:53Locked in, baby girl.
10:54Oh, my gosh.
10:55She was.
10:56Have you guys had any interactions online or in person with any major celebrities where you sort of fangirled out
11:04that they were fanning over you?
11:06You're like, thank you for loving me.
11:08I'm fanning over you.
11:10Not yet.
11:11Oh, well, yes.
11:13Do you know who followed me on Instagram?
11:14Who?
11:15Um,大家吃饭.
11:16Oh, that's right.
11:17Yes.
11:18So there is an amazing, amazing Hong Kong food content creator who, like, makes Hong Kong recipes.
11:25And I found it very useful, especially since coming to London from Hong Kong.
11:29And I think you mentioned her.
11:31I did.
11:31In an interview that you did.
11:32Yeah.
11:33And then she followed me.
11:34And I sent a picture to all of my friends because, yeah, her recipes are awesome.
11:41That's amazing.
11:42She is great.
11:42That was my one interaction.
11:44Okay.
11:44Also, it's so cute to see you like that, Maggie, because we, like, see you guys as, like, actors, but
11:49to see, like, just how human and darling and vulnerable, you know, everybody is in real life.
11:55It's just so nice to see you're still, like, just two gals doing your thing.
11:59Just a girl.
12:00Yeah.
12:00Just two girls.
12:01Just two girls.
12:02Just two girls.
12:02I'd like to say how fabulous you guys look.
12:04We were talking about your Louis Vuittons earlier.
12:06Oh, thank you.
12:06You had matching shoes and you didn't even plan it.
12:08I know.
12:09No, we didn't.
12:10Meant to be.
12:11But I also want to ask you about the costumes, the wardrobe on the show.
12:14Oh, yeah.
12:15I mean, I tried my best to do, like, a Bridgerton type outfit.
12:18You did it Araminta.
12:20Araminta.
12:23My homage to you.
12:25But I just would love to know how wonderful it is to wear those clothes.
12:30Maybe it's painful.
12:31Maybe it's wonderful.
12:32Maybe it's both.
12:34I'm not used to wearing dresses, I have to say.
12:36Like, you know, I like my joggies and my pyjamas and, like, slippers.
12:42So anything beyond that, I'm like, oh, this is restricting.
12:46But, you know, with Araminta especially, you know, she's got some great costumes.
12:51And, you know, the costume department, credit to them,
12:54they tried to make it as comfortable as possible.
12:56So it definitely looks more comfortable than it is.
13:00Is that right?
13:02Yes.
13:02Uh-huh.
13:02Yeah.
13:04So, but because they're so fabulous, you know,
13:07the minute I slipped into one of her dresses,
13:10like, I just became the character, you know.
13:12And also my posture is terrible.
13:16But in one of her dresses, like, I literally, I have to be, like,
13:19I have to stand up straight and it's quite rigid.
13:23So, you know, being in the costume, I was 80% there, you know.
13:29So I, yeah.
13:30Yeah.
13:30Speaking of being uncomfortable, you talk about the costume,
13:33but is there maybe a part, even in the end of season four or season three,
13:39that, I'm sorry, part one, that you didn't feel comfortable
13:43and you had to maybe put your mindset into it or think about it a little bit more
13:47because your character is harsh and it is mean or maybe a softer part
13:53or something that you're like, oh, wow, I've got to really work on this.
13:56Yeah.
13:57I'm just trying to think.
14:01Not really.
14:02I mean.
14:03Everything was easy.
14:04Everything was easy.
14:05She's a professional.
14:06She's a professional.
14:07Don't worry about it.
14:08Yeah, I mean, the thing that I was concerned with was, like,
14:10the etiquette of that time.
14:12I was, like, you know, because naturally I like to cross my legs and stuff
14:15and I was like, oh, God, did they do that back then?
14:18And, you know, there wasn't always somebody on set who was, like.
14:20Yeah, it's true.
14:21Yes.
14:21Do you take your gloves off?
14:23Do you have them on?
14:24Things like that.
14:24Wow.
14:25So, no, it was actually a really kind of a choice to take my gloves off
14:31in two particular scenes.
14:34One with Posey where I'm, like, trying to be more vulnerable with her
14:37and I was like, that's the moment I'm going to take the gloves off.
14:39But it's such a huge decision.
14:42Whereas, like, for us, like, in modern life, it's like,
14:44I'm going to just take my gloves off.
14:45Yeah.
14:45Do you have their gloves in the scene?
14:46I don't know.
14:47Yeah.
14:47It doesn't really matter.
14:48Yeah.
14:49Is taking the gloves off almost, like, a masking in that?
14:53Yeah, I don't know.
14:53I think there's something about, like, having bare hands.
14:56For Araminta.
14:57For Araminta, yeah.
14:59It felt like a very vulnerable thing to do because, you know,
15:04she's got the black gloves on and she's just, yeah, again,
15:08like a wall, like a barrier.
15:10So taking them off just felt like a...
15:12When you question things like that, what do you do?
15:14Google it or, like, did they do this back in the day?
15:18Ask, probably.
15:19Yeah, I asked.
15:19Yeah, ask the script supervisor.
15:21Ah.
15:22I think, yeah, even just for my character, like, eating.
15:27I don't know if the gloves stay on or off.
15:29I don't know why we're making this glove such a big deal.
15:31Because it is.
15:33Oh, yeah.
15:34But then, yeah, sometimes I think someone would tell me or, like,
15:37if we ad-lib, kind of, like, whisper behind the camera,
15:41like, don't say certain things because that wasn't said back in that time
15:45and things like that.
15:46It's interesting because there's so much in Bridgerton
15:49that wouldn't have happened back in that time.
15:51Yeah, that's true.
15:51But certain things that they want to be particular about.
15:54I'd like to speak to Posey's character a little bit
15:57in the sibling relationship between her and Sophie,
16:00which almost feels like has to be hidden from Araminta.
16:05But there is so much love there,
16:08which, you know, often happens between even step-siblings.
16:11And it almost felt like she would have to consciously make a choice
16:17to betray, you know, her family in order to show love to Sophie.
16:22Can you talk about that a little bit?
16:23Yeah, I think it's perfectly, like you said, it's a conscious decision.
16:27And it was a conscious decision for her to steal the shoe clips
16:31from Araminta and give them to Sophie.
16:35And I think although Posey does have a lot of love for her,
16:38she is still very afraid.
16:40And, you know, in a different world,
16:43in a world where she felt more comfortable,
16:45Posey would have stood up to her from the beginning.
16:48But it speaks to a lot of, I think, even family dynamics,
16:52and especially a lot of Asian family dynamics,
16:54where you feel like you can't do certain things
16:57and you can't distance yourself in the way that maybe people would say,
17:00oh, you need to be independent, you need to be by yourself.
17:03I think it's nuanced and it's difficult sometimes.
17:07So, yeah, I think Posey, although she is very clumsy
17:11and can be kind of silly sometimes, she is smart.
17:15And she has those moments where she makes choices
17:18to, yeah, stand up for what she believes in,
17:22even in small ways.
17:24I just wanted to ask, obviously you play like a villainous character
17:27who we, I think, will eventually love.
17:30But is there any character for either of you in the script
17:33that you would have also liked to have played
17:35or maybe very intrigued by?
17:42Oh, I would have loved to play the queen, I think,
17:47although that headpiece is crazy.
17:50It's so heavy, so restricting,
17:53but I think Golda is amazing and she does it perfectly.
17:57Obviously I wouldn't be able to do the queen as much justice as she would,
18:00but it would be fun to enter a room
18:03and have everybody stop and stare.
18:06She's hilarious.
18:07Oh, she's great.
18:09Sorrows, sorrows, prayers.
18:11She's brilliant.
18:13I think I'd like to play one of the male characters.
18:16Yes.
18:17Just to kind of see the difference, you know,
18:22of having that freedom.
18:25Yeah, entitlement.
18:26Right?
18:28Maybe, I don't know.
18:29You're playing it in your mind right now.
18:30I'm like who?
18:32Who of the Bridgerton brothers?
18:33Who's most entitled?
18:34Yeah.
18:36Maybe Anthony.
18:38Yeah.
18:39That would be like, yeah.
18:40Well, thank you both so much.
18:42This has been an amazing experience to get to know you
18:44and we can't wait to hopefully fall in love with Araminta.
18:50It's okay.
18:51It'll be a time.
18:51It'll be a time.
18:51It'll be a time.
18:52It'll be a time.
18:53And as well as see Sophie's love story.
18:56Yeah.
18:57I mean, excuse me, Posey's love story.
18:59Yes.
19:00Thank you guys so much.
19:02Bye.
19:02Bye.
19:02Bye.
19:04Bye.
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