RIPPER STREET
Season 2 – Episode 1: Pure as the Driven
Feb 22 – 9:00PM – EST – BBC AMERICA
FEB 23 – 12:00AM – EST – BBC AMERICA
Writer/historian Damian Michael Barcroft interviews the actress and former model Kunjue Li in an exclusive preview of tonight’s Ripper Street…
Damian: Hi Kunjue and thank you so much for this. I’m very excited because in addition to many film credits, you’ve appeared in two of my favourite shows at the moment – Ripper Street and Peaky Blinders. You’ve been very busy this year haven’t you?
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Kunjue: Yes, I had a good year since I graduated from drama school last year. I was lucky enough to be signed with a very good agent after my showcase and he has worked hard to put me to many good auditions. I am so grateful for that.
Kunjue Li in the BBC’s other epic period drama ‘Peaky Blinders’
D: Did you have dreams of becoming an actress and model when you were a little girl?
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K: Yes it was always my childhood dream to be an actress. I remember when I was a kid, I used to sit in front of TV and pointed at the “princess” from the dramas shown on TV and say I want to be her.
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D: The second series of Ripper Street is set in 1890 and Peaky Blinders is shortly after the first World War. This is a fascinating period in British history, do you enjoy performing in period dramas?
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K: I love performing in period dramas, I always loved British period dramas, and love the costumes and it is such a different culture from where I came from.
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D: How did you come to be cast in Ripper Street?
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K: I went for the audition and 3 recalls. Tom is a brilliant director, I enjoyed talking to him about my character during the audition and the directions he gave me really helped. Kate is an amazing casting director, she was so friendly and so supportive throughout the process. I remember at the last recall, I was asked to improvise something, and after I finished, Kate gave me a thumbs up, which made my day.
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D: Who do you play in tonight’s episode?
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K: I play Blush Pang a gangster moll, a drug dealer, a Chinese girl who is ambitious and cold – she does anything to survive.
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D: Without giving too much of the plot away, what can you tell us about the mysterious Blush Pang?
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K: She is cold, independent, driven, and daring. She is clever, knows what she is doing, and uses whatever is useful to her. She only has one weakness – her love for her lover.
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D: You look absolutely beautiful in tonight’s episode and your costumes are gorgeous! You must have had a lot of fun dressing up like that?
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K: I love the costumes and the jewellery. I was told some of the jewellery I wear was actually antique. Dressing in a corset is tough though, but it helped me getting into the character physically.
Kunjue Li in costume as Blush Pang
D: The sets and production design are also amazing, can you tell us a little bit about your first day of filming?
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K: My first day of filming was quite easy, Tom was trying to ease me in. When I get on the set, I was amazed by the production design, it was the scene in Chinatown, everything looks so authentic, so oriental, and it was a night shoot, with the lights, shadows, I feel I went back in time and was in ancient china. It was magical.
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D: There are some very exciting action scenes and awesome fight sequences tonight, many of which involve the brilliant Aaron Ly. He seems a very intense and focussed actor, what was it like working with Aaron?
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K: Aaron is a amazing actor to work with, we knew each other prior to Ripper Street as we both went for an audition for a Chinese sitcom. He is very focused and driven, and he is an amazing martial artist. He really acts like my big brother – always looking out for me and helping me when I need.
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D: Ripper Street has an enormous loyal fanbase and I’m guessing from the messages that I get that most of these are female. I suspect that one of the main attractions are the male leads and guest stars but who do you think is the most handsome man in Ripper Street?
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K: Jerome Flynn.
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D: What future film or TV projects have you currently got lined up?
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K: I‘m working on a sketch at the moment, I help produce it and I also play the lead. We just had our script finished with a BBC writer. It is mainly about modern culture difference, and it is quite a funny script. We are looking into casting in a few weeks. I also help on the marketing side as I used to work as an event manager prior to drama school.
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D: Kunjue, it’s been lovely to speak to you – thank you very much indeed.
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K: Thank you very much, I am very excited to see the episode and hopefully will be able to work with everyone again. x
~ Damian Michael Barcroft ~
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Matthew Macfadyen and Kunjue Li in a scene from tonight’s episode.
RIPPER STREET
Season 2 – Episode 1: Pure as the Driven
Feb 22 – 9:00PM – EST – BBC AMERICA
FEB 23 – 12:00AM – EST – BBC AMERICA