(Dorren Lee, Photo credit to Vai Yu Law)
By Colleen Bement, Editor
Dorren Lee always wanted to be an actor. She had been curious about human nature and has the desire to understand people, different cultures, and perspectives. She excels at this in her role as Yuen Oye in The CW hit series “Kung Fu.” Originally from Taipei and raised in Canada, Lee has related to her character’s struggles and has carved her own path. The talented actress has shaped her own identity in spite of cultural and familial expectations. This reimagining of the ’70s series is set in the present day, and how perfect is it that it has a female in the lead role?! Everyone involved in the series should be proud to be lauded for being the first network drama with a predominantly Asian American cast.
Fans also know her from her amazing role as Andrea Garth in the CBC’s highly acclaimed legal drama “Diggstown.” Her character is the black sheep of the family and is wanting to create an identity for herself outside of her family name.
Check out the most recent “Kung Fu” episode Dorren was in and catch our in-depth interview.
Colleen Bement: Big congrats on the third season of “Kung Fu” and your return to your character of Yuen Oye. What are you allowed to share with the fans about season three and your role?
Dorren Lee: Thank you! Well, the episode just came out, it’s called “Harvest”. You’ll have to tune in to find out if Yuen is willing to help Nicky and Henry or if she’ll make their lives difficult like last season.
CB: What type of training is involved in playing Yuen Oye? Was it difficult?
DL: I did stunt training with the team so that I could learn and film some of the actions in the fight sequences. It was a lot of martial arts movements and learning to fall and react to hits. Luckily I grew up playing sports and that helped, but it was still difficult. I’d like to do more training so I can do more stunts in the future.
CB: Tell us about your role in “Diggstown”.
DL: I play Andrea Garth, she’s one of three adopted siblings (all of different ethnicities) in the powerful Clawford family. Andrea is the black sheep of the family, wanting to create an identity for herself outside of her family name, hence she uses a different last name. Her values differ from her family and her sexual orientation is a point of contention with her mother. She falls into a relationship with Ellery Lopez, one of the lawyers investigating the Clawford family and their treatment of migrant workers in their business affairs. Andrea is forced to choose between her family and her relationship with Ellery.
It was an amazing role to take on and I feel honored to be able to portray her. I think growing up we all try to figure out our place in the world and within our own families. Andrea is in a sense choosing her truth above all else even if it means her world crumbling. I think it takes a certain type of courage and bravery to do that. And it’s wonderful to be a part of a show that explores that while touching on other important issues. “Diggstown” highlights injustices in the Canadian landscape as well as inequalities in the legal system. In the latest season, it showcases how migrant workers are treated in Canada and the limited rights they have. What’s important too is the representation this show strives for.
The patriarch of the Clawford family is deaf and played by the amazing deaf actor John Maucere. I learned ASL for the role to be able to interact with John who played my dad. It was moving to see deaf and hearing actors work together. I think it might be a first for Canadian television.
CB: Would you happen to have any other projects in the works that you can tell us about?
DL: I make an appearance on a new season of a show I’ve already worked on. I can’t say which just yet. I’ll also be working on a feature filming in Barcelona, Spain next year. I’m also writing my own projects and will start putting that in motion as well.
CB: What inspired you to become an actress, and, was there an actress or actor that influenced you?
DL: It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. I didn’t have the opportunity to when I was younger and when I got older it was still calling out to me. I’ve always been curious about human nature and wanting to live multiple lives and a desire to understand people, different cultures, and perspectives; acting allows me to explore that. I think a lot of my desire to act is driven by my immigrant experience; I had a lot of questions about why people do what they do and why there are certain rules and customs. Especially coming from the East and growing up in the West, the two places often have opposing ideas and it made me want to search for a deeper truth.
I don’t think there’s any one specific person who inspired me. I remember watching movies and TV shows and thinking “I WANT TO DO THAT!”. The one moment I do remember is watching Leonardo DiCaprio in “The Man In The Iron Mask” and wondering how he was a twin when he is only one person. And maybe that started my inquiry into acting as a possibility to explore multiple lives (haha).
CB: I read that you were born in Taipei and raised in Canada since you were very young. Do you ever get the chance to visit your homeland?
DL: I haven’t visited in over a decade! I want to go back soon and hopefully with less to no pandemic restrictions it’ll be an easier process. It is a long flight but it’s always worth it. It’s a beautiful place and whenever I hear Taiwanese it reminds me of my childhood. Because we moved when I was so young, the only Taiwanese I heard growing up was from my parents, so there’s a nostalgia to it.
CB: Do you get to travel much for work?
DL: I traveled a lot this year for work. It’s the first year I traveled so much for work and it’s made me step up my self-care routine. It can be draining and I’ve learned, at least for myself, I require extra self-love to make sure my body, mind, and spirit are healthy enough for the challenge. I enjoy it and love to explore so no complaints here.
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