James Chen – FBI

By starrymag | October 15, 2019

By: Jamie Steinberg

 

 

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

 

A) I have been recurring as Ian Lim on CBS’s latest hit “FBI” by veteran franchise creator, Dick Wolf.

 

Also, I recently narrated a couple exciting audiobooks: Picture Us In The Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert — great fiction about Asian-American young adulthood;  and Cold Falling White by G.A. Prendergast — exciting post-apocalyptic alien invasion of Earth where teenagers struggle to survive, make unexpected alliances, and — you guessed it — find love. You can find those on Amazon or Audible shortly.

 

The short film I star in, Bluebirds, is premiering at the Everybody Digital Film Festival in Brooklyn later this month. And the indie film I’m in, Fluidity, is currently streaming on Showtime.

 

Q) Please tell us what is new this season on “FBI” and with your character Ian Lim.

 

A) Ian’s continues to collaborate with our favorite team of special field agents at The Bureau. We see him more often in the Joint Operations Command giving live tracking of suspects and other dynamic computer wizardry. He still spends time doing more hands-on diagnostics of evidence at his lab station, but often with these cases time is of the essence and we need all hands-on deck at the JOC.

 

Q) How was Ian originally described to you?

 

A) They said he was an expert at what he does. Dry. Snarky. But in a likable way.

 

Q) Was there anything you added to the role that wasn’t in his initial breakdown?

 

A) I think my own personal flavor of sarcasm and the playfulness with how Ian always has all the answers and how pleased he is at how smart he is… is something that came out more on the day of shooting those first few episodes.

 

Q) What keeps challenging you about portraying Ian Lim?

 

A) I think it’s that balance of being a likable team player, a long-time member of the team… and to still have that intellectual swagger, that dry, “over it” sarcasm without putting off others or derailing a moment / scene.  That’s always a fine line.

 

Q) Going into Season 2, was there someone(s) you were hoping to share more scenes with?

 

A) There was a fun teasing competitiveness between Kristen and Ian last season that was a lot of fun. I think we had a few moments to keep that alive so far this season and it’s been great to keep that going.  Zeeko [Zaki] as OA is also so much fun and it would be great to explore some of his and Ian’s rapport.

 

Q) What are some upcoming scenes or episodes fans should be sure to look out for?

 

A) Oooh… well we just shot an exciting episode… one of my favorites… episode 8 of Season 2, written by the talented David Amann. Don’t want to give anything away, but it kept me guessing until the end and it had so many great twists… a throwback to an old genre you could say. You’ll have to check it out to see what it’s all about!

 

Q) What have been some of your favorite moments from filming?

 

A) There was this great moment in episode 3 this season where Ian is giving information to the team and his enthusiasm for details gets the better of him and he goes off on a mini-tangent about Yangtze soft shell turtles — it didn’t make the cut, but we had a ton of fun that day.

 

Q) How do you shake off a long day of filming?

 

A) Usually a hot shower and an early bedtime.  But if I’m not too wiped, I’ll get a workout in and that’s always super refreshing.

 

Q) What do you think it is about the show that has made it such a fast fan favorite?

 

A) I think there’s a really strong team of talent behind this show. Writers, directors, producers, this CAST — it’s a joy and a privilege to work with them.  They’re all so talented and many are such veterans.  I also think everyone really cares about what we’re all making, about being on point and doing their best work. The chemistry between Missy [Peregrym] and Zeeko, Ebonee [Noel] and John [Boyd], Jeremy [Sisto] and Alana [De La Garza] with everyone… it feels so natural and lived in and interesting.

 

Q) You are a part of social media. Do you enjoy the instant fan feedback you receive to episodes?

 

A) I DO!  We shoot them sometimes months in advance of airing and there’s not a whole lot of time to reflect on and live in any one episode when it’s right on to the next one. So, it’s very satisfying to finally see that audiences have a great reaction or were moved by certain moments or episodes that we put work into many weeks ago. Or that they call out certain details that our writers or art department or wardrobe or set dept put in. Thankfully, everyone seems to really enjoy the ride. I’m gonna start Live Tweeting — see you there!

 

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you and the work you do?

 

A) Thank you so much! It’s a privilege to work hard on something and share it with others. And I’m so appreciative of all of your support…from “SVU” to “The Walking Dead” to “Iron Fist” and all the other episodic and indie films along the way. Your support keeps me going with gratitude. Love you all!