By: Quinn Que
Q) Growing up in a family of doctors in Florida, what was it like being surrounded by medicine from an early age and how did that shape your initial career path?
A) It’s such an interesting mindset in hindsight because it didn’t really occur to me that I would do anything other than become a doctor when I was little. There were plenty of other things that interested me, creatively, but I always thought they could only be hobbies and never really thought they could be a career. Medicine was a safe, stable and familiar future, and it just seemed like a smart choice.
Q) You studied microbiology at the University of Florida and went to medical school focusing on surgery and pathology. What drew you specifically to those medical specialties?
A) I really liked the idea of being a surgeon. It was something you did with your hands and there was an art to it. You had to be completely present in the moment to make fine tuned decisions and improvise when necessary. Plus, it was a field with more “instant gratification” in that you knew what the problem was and you went in to fix it. But in reality, while it is exciting, working in such a high stake environment all the time was stressful. In order to be a great surgeon, it takes so much more than technical skills – it takes long hours on your feet, constant availability in case of emergencies and emotional fortitude when things don’t work out the way you had hoped. I realized quickly that it wasn’t a career that I could sustain long term without burn out. So, then I switched specialties to Pathology, which is the study of disease in the sense of evaluating biopsies, surgical specimens and doing autopsies. It was a much less demanding lifestyle and allowed me to have a better work-life balance. It was what allowed me to find time to pursue creative activities, like acting.
Q) What sort of early experiences helped plant the seed for your interest in acting?
A) I always had a vivid imagination and as an only child for the first 8 years, I remember having imaginary friends that I used to play out scenes from Disney movies with. And I loved being the center of attention. But funnily enough, when it came to public performances, I was so shy! I remember when I had my first piano recital, I was so nervous that I completely blanked out and literally stopped playing. And another time during a school play in elementary school, I wanted to be one of the main roles so badly, but even as a small role I could barely say my lines loud enough for anyone to hear… After that, I pushed myself to go outside my comfort zone because I was so embarrassed! I think I decided to do acting as a kid almost to spite myself, to force myself to grow and become better and more confident! But the more I did it, the more I fell in love with it. And while I still get the nerves now at times, I channel that energy into excitement because how amazing is it that I get to do what I love!
Q) Making the decision to leave medicine for acting must have been incredibly difficult. What was the turning point that made you realize you needed to pursue your artistic passion full-time?
A) I’m a firm believer that things happen for a reason and opportunities present themselves if you are open to receiving them. When I was in Chicago doing my pathology residency, my husband (then fiancé) earned a residency spot in California. In medicine, there’s a process called the “Match” and it’s where you interview and rank the residency programs that you are interested in and the hospitals also rank their favorite applicants. If you both chose each other, that’s where you get assigned to go to train for the next few years and there really isn’t any option to change your mind. It’s kinda like a deployment, once you’re told where to go, you have to go. So, when my fiancé at the time Matched in California, we had to make tough decisions about whether we try to make long distance work for the next four to seven years, we call off the engagement because that’s too long for a healthy relationship, or one of us quits being a doctor. But what was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make was also, in a way, a blessing in disguise. It gave me the choice of a career that I didn’t love or a partner whom I did. And I am so blessed to have picked such an amazing husband who gave me the support to start a new phase of my life, the space to explore a new self-identity and the confidence to take a risk that I otherwise might have been too scared to take.
Q) In “The Hunting Wives,” you play Jia-Yi, a sharp and strategic political advisor and campaign manager. What drew you to this character and how did you prepare for such a politically-minded role?
A) I love how smart and ambitious Jia-Yi is. I am always drawn to strong women characters and in this show everyone has an ulterior motive and it was really fun getting to explore what she really wants in life and what she’s willing to do to get it! It’s not so much politics for her, as it is a game to become influential and powerful herself.
Q) How was the audition process? Were you nervous?
A) The audition process was deceptively simple. Typically, for larger or recurring roles, there are several rounds of auditions and call backs, but for this role I was booked off my first audition tape. I didn’t even have a chance to get nervous! I’ve conditioned myself over the years when it comes to auditions to film it and forget it because you audition for so many more projects than you ever get a chance to play and I would drive myself nuts if I invested too much hope into any one audition tape. So, when my agent Terry called me one morning at like 7am (he’s based in New Orleans and I’m in LA), I was super groggy and it took me a moment to realize that he was calling to congratulate me on booking the role! It was a great way to start the day!
Q) The series is based on May Cobb’s novel and deals with themes of obsession, seduction, and murder in deep East Texas. How does the setting and atmosphere contribute to your character’s story arc? Given the show’s themes of glamorous socialites and dangerous obsessions, is it safe to say Jia-Yi fits well into this world? And what role does she play in the unfolding drama?
A) I think of Jia-yi as a bit of an outsider to East Texas. I imagine that she has had to work hard to get to where she’s at, probably went to a top school in a big city and when she sees these glitzy gun toting Southern ladies, I think she looks down on them, despite their wealth and power. It’s a big drama with bold characters and I like to think that she can hold her own against these women without being intimidated by them. And when she is invited to be a part of Jed’s (Dermot Mulroney) campaign, she sees an opportunity to rise up next to a powerful man and isn’t afraid of anyone getting in her way. She may have been brought in to clean up some of the drama on the campaign trail, but she manages to create some of her own, too.
Q) You’re working alongside established actors like Dermot Mulroney, Malin Akerman and Brittany Snow. What was the dynamic like on set, and what did you learn from collaborating with them?
A) The dynamic was great! You could tell that everyone was having fun with their characters and their storylines. And everyone was very kind and supportive! I learn so much just by being around other actors, especially ones that have had such impressive careers as these three. Everyone has their own process to get into character and how they like to spend their time between scenes and it gives me a chance to explore what could also work for me. It’s both a bit intimidating, but also incredibly inspiring to be invited to share space with such professionals and it pushes me to be better both on and off the screen.
Q) What were some of your favorite moments from filming this series?
A) Getting to film at the mansion was just such a cool experience! I would find myself wandering a little, just soaking up all the little details that production added to make it the Banks’ home! It was also a little ways away from where the trailers were, so in between scenes we all stayed close by and it was nice getting to hang out and chat with some of the other cast and crew when there was downtime.
Q) What do you think it is about the show “The Hunting Wives” that you think will captivate viewers?
A) It is a fun and sexy thriller that offers a bit of escapism, which I think most people are looking for these days. In a time when people can feel divided over politics and controversial topics such as guns, I think there is also an element of curiosity and voyeurism of that Texas culture, especially when depicted through the eyes of rich people behaving badly.
Q) Your philanthropic work as a patient advocate for women’s health, particularly around pelvic floor health, seems deeply personal. How do you balance your advocacy work with your acting career?
A) Bringing awareness and advocacy around women’s health is very important to me. Resources and research in women’s health has always trailed behind male focused conditions and now, when it feels like access and funds are being further stripped away, we have to find other ways to prioritize our own wellbeing. Relying on administration and policy is hopeful at best, and tedious in reality. If the healthcare system is underequipped to serve us, one thing that I am finding that can make impactful change is to educate and empower women to be their own best advocates. I think that it is such a privilege to have a public voice and I take it as a responsibility to utilize both my medical background and platform to try and create social change for good.
Q) Looking at your diverse television credits from “Criminal Minds” to “Fear the Walking Dead,” what types of characters or stories do you feel most drawn to?
A) I’m a big fan of the drama genre and I love getting invested in characters who find themselves needing to make difficult decisions. Conflicts make for great stories and you learn a lot about a person’s humanity by the choices they make. That’s one of the reasons I’m so excited about “The Hunting Wives” because it really pulls in all the elements of a thrilling drama!
Q) What are the other recent projects that you have been busy working on?
A) I was just fortunate enough to reprise a role on the soap “The Bold and the Beautiful” for an episode, which is always a blessing for an actor to be invited back. Coming up I’ve got a horror film in the works and, of course, crossing my fingers for “The Hunting Wives” Season 2!
Q) What would you like to say to your fans and supporters?
A) Thank you so much to everyone who has followed along my career and supported the shows and projects that I’ve been on! The success of these films and shows are entirely dependent on the audience and it means so much to me to get messages, notes and screenshots from friends and fans that make me feel like I got to be a small part of that success! It’s everything to an artist to have people see your art and praise it! So, thank you immensely from the bottom of my heart!