The Cleaning Lady is breaking barriers for Southeast Asian actors. Was there any pressure in taking on the role knowing that you’re representing many and that they would look up to you?

There was no pressure at the time when I got the part and filmed the series, but it’s only now when I’m doing press that the responsibility hit me! And it comes with extreme joy as well because I never had anyone to look up to or refer to when I was watching TV growing up. That’s something I want that for future generations: to find themselves represented in the public landscape.

You previously said that this role was a dream come true. What about Thony’s character attracted you the most?

The rawness of the part. Because of my looks, I’ve had to play a lot of characters that were ninjas, fighters…I had a lot of fun doing that but Thony stays away from the stereotypes. She’s a survivor and a fighter in her own way but like any mother would be in her situation. She’s not a superhero, she’s far from perfect, and her strength shows up at her most vulnerable times.

You’re working with a diverse cast and crew here. Can you tell us more about that experience?

It was great to be on a set where the actors had different backgrounds—Filipino, Mexican, American, Argentinian and would enrich their character from their own perception and experiences. Similarly, having a writing room where people had different points of view on things is great. In my opinion, a melting pot is a rich asset to the work environment.

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There’s certainly progress, however little when it comes to portraying diverse stories on screen. How do you think The Cleaning Lady will further contribute to that?

Rome wasn’t built in a day but things are moving forward: it starts in the writing rooms, having creatives that are more aware that we need stories to represent different voices. I think executives and decision-makers are more conscious of it and more open-minded now. It’s step by step, like what The Cleaning Lady is doing—embracing my background for example when it wasn’t originally written for a Cambodian woman.

We’ve seen you do action as Elektra in Marvel’s Daredevil. What kind of Elodie Yung would we be seeing here?

In this story, my character’s only weapons are her heart and her brain, no swords of any sort! You’ll see me broken, then standing for myself, then lost, then overcoming obstacles, in fear, ecstatic with joy. I guess “vulnerable” overall is the word I’d use.

Besides representation, the show will also empower women having you and Filipino American actress, Martha Millan as leads. How important is it for you to be able to empower others with this role?

I think supporting each other and having great talents are keys to really good storytelling. I fell in love with Martha [Millan] during her audition and every day on set with her feels like life, the true moments of life. She is amazing to work with and I’m so happy for her because she hasn’t had the opportunities to shine in the past, and now is her moment with this project and her complex character.

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There’s a lot to unpack in The Cleaning Lady. You’re an illegal immigrant, your son has an immunodeficiency disorder, you’re a doctor in the Philippines but work as a cleaner, then you witnessed a crime and became involved. Among all these, what would you say is the core of the series?

I would say that the core of the series is the love her mother has for her son. Thony is desperate to save him and that’s what drives the show: she will do whatever it takes to protect him.

It’s been two decades since you started acting. What’s something you learned about yourself over the years?

To me, every part, every script and every person that I work with teaches me something new. My first job in France taught me it was an actual job—that acting was an actual job as I came from a working-class background where acting wasn’t even a concept.  Another job taught me I could put my feelings in a character and it was a great help for me to deal with my demons. This part [in The Cleaning Lady] has helped me understand my Dad a bit better.

What can viewers look forward to the most in The Cleaning Lady?

I think they’ll be very entertained because it has a thrilling pace and it is set in Las Vegas where anything can happen. But they also have to get ready (or not!) to be heartbroken.

Read also: How the Unsubtitled Tagalog Scene in ‘Spider-Man: No Way’ Home Celebrates Being Filipino

The Cleaning Lady is airing on Fox, with new episodes every Monday.

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