Of all the Shen children starring front and center on The CW's Kung Fu, aspiring physician Ryan has had to really examine his personal life as of late. Portrayed by Jon Prasida, the character has recently overcome his differences with his older sister Nicky. Now, he's turning his attention to addressing feelings about his own sexual orientation and how it affects his relationship with his parents. And as Ryan looks to take his relationship with his boyfriend, Joe, to the next level, he is in for an overdue heart-to-heart with his mother Mei-Li.
In an exclusive interview with CBR, Prasida teased what audiences can expect from Ryan as Kung Fu Season 1 nears its end, shared behind-the-scenes secrets from the series' production and discussed what it was like working with his castmates on the show's heartfelt material.
Ryan Shen is really a character with a lot going on: Medical student, an initially combative relationship with his sister and discovering his sexual identity. How did this role first reach your attention?
Jon Prasida: The life of an actor is constantly doing auditions, and, living in Australia, I have to send a lot of tapes out. When I first saw it... I didn't want to contribute to a stereotype and as soon as I saw it, I judged the book by its cover and said "Kung Fu? I don't know about that..." And then I read Ryan's character and thought it was quite interesting and said, "Let's have a closer look..." I enjoyed what things were set before me and I sent the tape out.
Since then, it was just a whirlwind of flying to L.A., going to Canada, going back home because of a pandemic but then going back because we got picked up. [laughs] A lot of that happened in that whole experience of trying to survive and pay rent and just living. It's been a whirlwind experience but one that I'll never forget.
You have one of my favorite scenes in the series so far with Tzi Ma, as your father, finally having that heart-to-heart about Ryan's sexual identity. How was it developing that scene with him?
It was interesting but it was really good! I think that scene is one of the reasons that I got into acting because I really enjoy the nitty-gritty and going into that. I do remember that it was a really, really long day and Tzi had all the scenes that day and I had all but one and that scene was the last scene of the day. I remember we were blocking the scene -- going through the actions of it and everyone had their marks -- and we were getting quite emotional, even though we couldn't see each other's mouth, I was feeling something. Next, we go to rehearsal, with all the cameras set up, and we do it all again with our marks on and I'm feeling really good.
And then all the lights shut off and everything goes purple and we're already an hour behind and nobody really knows what's happening. We restarted the whole system, everybody is tired and we've just got to get through the scene and then Tzi pulls out this amazing, heartfelt performance that came out of nowhere and I was just like, "Yo, this is sick!" And it was what I learned from. And when the time came, we just sort of ran out of time and I was told I had one take.
I decided to do something there and I legit thought I was going to get fired, I'm not even joking. I was outside that motel door and thought I lost a lot of momentum and didn't think I could do it because there were so many distractions but then I did it, using the frustrations of the day to channel into that scene that then translated into love, which is what that whole scene is. That was a whole experience that turned into a learning one but I'm glad it turned out the way it did.
You mentioned being reluctant initially with Kung Fu. Was there something in Ryan's character breakdown or a line in the script that you really gravitated towards in changing your mind?
I was reluctant because I didn't want to contribute to a stereotype of kung fu and that kind of thing but that was just my lack of knowledge of the whole project in general and kung fu [itself]. Reading Ryan's scenes, it reminded me of a really good friend of mine who is Filipino and has come out to everyone but his father and that's a story that's congruous with Ryan. I love that Ryan is in Kung Fu because anyone can look at him and feel seen and how [they] feel and because it's televised everywhere, people can know how [they] feel a little bit more. Parents can watch Episode 8 and go, "Whoa, I didn't realize my child has held such a burden for a long time." I love Ryan and everything he's a part of and I love that Ryan is bigger than me.
Episode 10 has him speak with his mother Mei-Li. How was it working with Kheng Hua Tan on those scenes?
It's amazing, me and Kheng just sort of riff off each other, it's really nice. As stressful as it can be for Ryan to talk to his mum about that, it was quite an accepting conversation. Working with Kheng, in general, is phenomenal but, in that particular scene, it was just very loving and it reminded me of me and my mum. Not that me and my mum would discuss anything to do with relationships -- I try to steer away from that entirely -- but it was nice having Ryan talk to Mei-Li about that.
The last part of the equation is Bradley Gibson as Ryan's boyfriend Joe. Do you remember meeting Bradley and forming that chemistry as we see Ryan and Joe's romance this season?
Yes, he's an absolutely amazing person. We met over Zoom but then we decided to have something to eat [together] and he was really open and giving. He was like, "If you have any questions or anything you need, I'm here for you." And that is really nice. He answered every one of the questions that I had with humility. He's a phenomenal human being. I love Bradley and I'm hoping we get to see more of him.
In this world of mystical weapons and big fights, Ryan and Althea bring a more grounded perspective. How is it keeping that point-of-view in all of this?
There's a lot to go through so when we have read-throughs, we do it with everyone and the picture becomes a lot clearer. We do a read-through of each episode about a week before [filming] or so over Zoom and the story becomes much clearer, understanding why Ryan is going through this. The clarity comes when the read-through happens and we just go from there.
What can you tease about Ryan's arc as we enter the final stretch of episodes for Kung Fu Season 1?
At his foundation, Ryan is about his family and community and it'll just send him more on that path, in making a choice. Episode 10 is one of my favorites!
Executive produced by Christina M. Kim, Martin Gero, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Robert Berens and Warner Bros. TV, Kung Fu stars Olivia Liang, Tzi Ma, Kheng Hua Tan, Tony Chung, Jon Prasida, Shannon Dang, Eddie Liu and Vanessa Kai. The new episodes air Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.
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