Interviews

Angela Zhou – Hell On Wheels

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By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects you are working on?
A) “Hell On Wheels” has been keeping me very busy so I’m focused on that right now, but I’m excited to see what the future has in store!

Q) How was Fong/Mei on Hell On Wheels originally described to you?

A) The casting notice never revealed that the character was going to be in disguise as a boy. It simply said that Mei was a tomboy, one of the only female railroad workers, and a fighter at heart who is willing to stand up for what she believes in. It was only at the callbacks, after I signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement, that I knew the role required pretending to be a boy. 

 

Q) What made you want to be a part of the show?

A) It’s a wonderfully cinematic show with a great cast and crew. The writing uses action to forward the story, rather than dialogue, and explores the Chinese experience building the Transcontinental Railroad extremely thoroughly. I love how the Chinese characters are multidimensional and so incredibly strong. It’s not every day that you are presented such a great role that is meaningful to a community of people whose story has been historically bypassed by mainstream television.


Q) What kind of research did you do to prepare for this role? 

A) Production has been so incredibly helpful and generous to me. When I first got the role, they sent over two books (Nothing Like It In The World and The Chinatown Wars) and a 3-part DVD series from PBS called “Becoming American: The Chinese Experience.” Then, when I got to Calgary, they hired a gender consultant for me. He spoke to me about his transgender experience transitioning from a female to male and even agreed to take me out on the night of a big hockey match to a bar in disguise as a boy. That was such an eye-opening experience and really gave me more confidence about pulling it off onscreen. 


Q) Was there anything you added to the role that was not originally scripted for you?

A) After figuring out the make-up and wardrobe required to look more masculine, I asked the writers to add in Mei rubbing coal on her face to create a 5 o’clock shadow on her face. That has been very helpful in explaining how she transforms herself every morning before work. 


Q)Talk about the wardrobe you wear for the show and what it is like to bind your chest.

A) Binding is actually extraordinarily uncomfortable and too much of a hassle for 12-hour shooting days so I wear two sports bras instead. I did bind it properly during my night out at the bar and it completely transforms your body posture.


Q) There was such a great familial bond on the show between you & Tzi Ma. How did you develop that chemistry? 
A) Tzi and I just enjoy hanging out with each other offset. He is such an amazing person as well as actor – very passionate and very giving with advice. Especially given his extensive career, he is a mentor to me and I think that comes off as very paternal onscreen.

Q) Viewers are torn between Mei’s friendship with Cullen and seeing a romance developing for them. What are Mei’s feelings towards Cullen? 
A) Frontier towns were not places of comfort. You had to be on-guard all the time and there is no one you can trust. “One less every day” as the show says. Mei’s situation is even more dire and, other than her father, Cullen is the only person who knows her. It’s a relief to have someone to be honest and vulnerable with. Her feelings toward Cullen are romantic. Remember, she has no idea about his wife or child, but she is also completely inexperienced in the world of men and doesn’t really understand her own feelings. 

Q) What have been some of your most memorable moments to film & see on screen?

A) There are so many! It’s such an incredibly experience filming “Hell On Wheels.” I do love the scene where Mei and Cullen fall off the snow cliff. Onset, they built us these small sledges with GoPros attached and just threw us off the slope. It was so much fun!


Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback to the episodes when they premiere? 
A) I do! I love hearing from the fans and some have sent me incredibly heart-felt messages about how we are a part of their lives.

Q) What would you like to be sure fans know about Mei and what is to come for her? 
A) Hmmm … I would just say that there is a lot to come for Mei and to keep tuning in!

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan & supporter of you and “Hell On Wheels?”
 
A) Thank you so much for watching and for taking the time to reach out to us. I feel very blessed indeed! You are all so amazing!

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