Hina X. Khan – DC’s Stargirl

By: Jamie Steinberg

Q) What are the recent projects that you have been working on?

A) I have been busy eating a lot of cookies and ice cream. [laughs] With the quarantine, I think if consuming baked goods counts as work that’s mostly what I’ve been doing. Other than that, you can see me on AMC’s “Creepshow.” It was originally on Shudder and now it’s just on AMC as well on Monday nights. I’m in an episode called Skincrawlers. I look very different than I do on “Stargirl.” There is a lot of makeup and bodysuit involved with that episode, which was a lot of fun to do.

Q) We’re currently seeing you on “DC’s Stargirl.” Was this an audition for you or was it something that you were offered?

A) It was definitely an audition and it was one those things in this industry where you audition and then you have to sort of learn, as an actor, to let go and practice non-attachment, which is difficult to do because you get excited. I auditioned for it and about a month later I found out that I booked it.

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

A) Number one, a comic book show is exciting! A show based on any comic, right? Then, Geoff Johns and these comics…All of that is very exciting and just knowing that as an minority actor and a woman of color being able to be a part of that world, which we don’t normally see a lot of, is also very exciting. And I think it’s so important to have that representation. It helps with relatability and other young females and actors and actresses – just anybody watching the show that sees a little bit of themselves in me. I know growing up I didn’t have that. I didn’t have the ability to look on TV and see too many people that looked like me on screen. That’s also a really wonderful reason to be a part of for that reason.

Q) Were you familiar with any of your costars before working with them on the show?

A) I was, of course, very familiar with Luke [Wilson] and Amy’s [Smart] work. I didn’t know them personally and didn’t know any of the other costars or actors on this show. I’m so grateful for the cast that we have had on this show because by the end of it…I know everyone says this, but really every single person was just a genuine delight to work with.

Q) Were you hoping to share a scene with someone(s) in particular?

A) Well, when I had my audition…In the audition the sides are usually not the real sides. The names are different. So, when I had the audition, I didn’t know who I was going to be playing opposite of. Then, once I booked the role, I realized that scene would be opposite Luke Wilson. So, I was definitely excited about that. And we did end up filming that scene so that will be in one of the later episodes as well.

Q) What were some of your favorite scenes to film?

A) Some of them are a secret…[laughs] So, you’ll have to wait and see. I will say Episode Four there are some scenes, which by far were my favorite. In that episode I think there is a lot of questions that come up because you learn that there is more to some of these characters than meets the eye initially. So, I would say look out for Episode Four.

Q) How did you shake off a long day of filming “DC’s Stargirl?”

A) I think I probably didn’t have as much discipline as a lot of actors have on set in the sense that there is always great food on the set. So, once you are off set, definitely the gym was a necessity because you have to make sure that you are going to fit into your wardrobe the next day. [chuckles] So, I would say working out and just spending time (if we could) with each other as castmates. That was one of the ways it shows that the actors on a show really do like each other, when they don’t have to be on set with each other they are hanging out afterwards. So, we did that when we could.

Q) Will you be sharing any behind the scenes photos and videos from your time on the series?

A) Yes! And I’m also regretting that I didn’t take as many because when you’re on set it’s all so secretive that you’re a little afraid to take photos. But now some of the cast have been posting pictures I am thinking, “Well damn! Were you guys taking these photos all along?! I was just being really good and not taking too many.” [laughs] So, I have some, but as the show progresses then I’ll share more just so I don’t give anything away.

Q) You are a part of social media. What kind of fan feedback have you received to the show so far?

A) It’s been so positive. I think right in the beginning it was like a hundred percent on Rotten Tomatoes. I think it went down to ninety-six, but I’ll still take it. It’s still an A+. It’s been really positive and it’s very reassuring after working so hard on a project and seeing people are really responding to it. I’m really happy that people are enjoying it. I even watched – because you don’t get to see much of it until the premiere. So, watching the full episode it really felt like I was watching a movie. Given that we’re all quarantined and can’t go out and watch movies, I really appreciate the cinematography was so wonderful and you kind of get that experience even though we’re confined to our homes.

Q) What do you think it is about “DC’s Stargirl” that makes it such a timely series?

A) I think there is a couple of things with the show in general. I think the timing of it…Not that anybody knew the Corona Virus was going to happen, obviously, but we have so many people at home and there is such a sense of not knowing what is happening in the world that this show in particular is so wholesome and so heartwarming. And at the center of it is really a story about a family that I think a lot of people are relating to it. It’s an optimistic, happy show that you can watch with your whole family. The other great thing about the show is that there are so many strong female characters of all different backgrounds and I think that’s so important. There is so much representation in the show. Again, it just allows young viewers to find some character that they can relate to. I think there is someone for everyone in this show.