Jing Lusi is one of the most talented actors on television, perhaps best known for her portrayal of Dr. Tara Lo in Holby City before her dramatic exit from the series in 2012.
Credit: Sky
Now she continues working across film, television and stage and has most recently been seen in Sky1's brand new series, Stan Lee's Lucky Man.
We got the chance to chat to Jing about that show as well as her upcoming role on Scott & Bailey and just what else we can expect from her in the future...
Can you tell us a little bit about the new series Lucky Man and your character on the show?
Lucky Man is a 10 part series created by the legend Stan Lee. He said that if he could have any superpower, it would be luck. Enter James Nesbitt, who as DCI Harry Clayton, becomes the conduit for this examination of luck as a tangible object: what it is, can you control it, what would you do with it?
I play Lily-Anne Lau. Her father is killed in the first episode and Harry Clayton heads up the murder investigation. She has known Harry for some time, and they have a cat-and-mouse dynamic. They both want to get the better of each other. It is a power struggle. Lily-Anne sees Harry as a superfluous obstacle in her own criminal ambitions and has absolutely no regard for his status as a DCI.
What was it about this project and this show that drew you to getting involved and being a part of it?
In a nutshell: everything. More specifically, sometimes you just get a feeling. I read a lot of scripts, and when I picked up Lucky Man, I could not put it down. It flew off the page and I was engrossed. I loved the concept: luck as a tradable entity. It is original and thought provoking.
I found Lily-Anne a deliciously wicked character to explore. She is a law unto her own hands, fuelled by an overwhelming belief in her power, worth and desire to achieve her ambitions. It was so refreshing to read a character like that. I think her tenacious qualities are actually quite normal for most male roles. But sadly, we still have a way to go in accepting that women can by default have such drive and determination in the same way.
You'll also be a new series regular on Scott & Bailey - can you tell us about that?
I am playing Detective Constable Anna Ram in the new 3-part special. She is sparky, full of beans and relatively new to the Syndicate. She arrives at a time when DS Rachel Bailey (Suranne Jones) is on secondment in London. When Rachel returns at the beginning of the new series, the two are forced to work together. That is where it all kicks off.
What's the chemistry like on the set of Scott & Bailey?
Wonderful. I found it extremely supportive. There are a lot of complicated lines and high-pressured scenes on a show like that, so a friendly, relaxed and calm atmosphere on set is vital to bringing out the best of anyone who is there.
There is also so much fun and banter on set. We laughed so much. I find the more serious the concept of a show, the more it is accompanied by the same correlating degree of humour. Perhaps when you are faced with looking and talking about death, murder and criminals all day, levity is the antidote to alleviate the darkness.
Is it difficult coming into shows such as this one where relationships between cast members are already established, and you're one of the new faces on the scene?
It can be daunting walking into an established show, especially one with quite a small core cast. I had also just finished on Lucky Man - a completely new show where we all developed and explored that world together as collective newbies. So Scott & Bailey's dynamic was a stark contrast for me.
But the cast and crew could not have done more to make me feel settled and welcomed. They are like a well-established family unit - and a very inclusive one so it does not take long to become part of the furniture. Before Christmas, I went to see A Christmas Carol starring Amelia Bullmore (former DCI Gill Murray) with Tony Mooney (DC Pete Readyough) and we had a great night. There is something very lovely about spending time with colleagues outside work; it shows that you are choosing to rather than being forced to.
How have both Lucky Man and Scott & Bailey stacked up against the work you've done in the past?
I think the ambition is to continuously seek out roles that interest and challenge you, and to be part of projects that you would look forward to seeing. I cannot tell you how proud I am when I go past a billboard for Lucky Man. There are so many people who work behind the scenes on a TV show who never get recognition for their amazing work, and to see the posters, trailers and artwork everywhere is like a celebration to mark everyone's talents.
I am very proud to be part of Scott & Bailey too. It is a wonderfully honest and positive show for women. But it does not preach, 'Oh, how wonderful it is to be a women, look how shiny I am'. What it portrays is women being successful at their jobs, strong at home, yet fallible: making mistakes and at times turning to vices.
I feel there is a lot of pressure for women now to be perfect at everything. The highflying career as well as being the Stepford Wife. Women are criticised, sometimes very publicly for not meeting such a ridiculously high standard. If we can portray women in a more realistic way, then hopefully it may help to unburden some of the unfair idealistic pressures society has created for them.
You were loved in Holby City as Dr. Tara Lo - how did you find the response from fans when that character died?
It was overwhelming. I left in 2012 and fans still tell me that they miss Tara and how sad they are that she died. It is really touching to hear this. I loved that character and gave it my all to play that storyline so I will never get too blasé about people telling me they were moved by her death.
Was it hard to leave her and the show behind?
Very. The show and all its brilliant cast and crew became my family. I still keep in touch with some of them and last summer I went back to Paul Bradley's (Professor Eliot Hope) leaving do. It was an amazing turn out including lots of past cast and crew, which goes to show how close everyone remains even after they have left.
What advice do you have for any young aspiring actors out there hoping to follow in the footsteps of people such as yourself?
Do it for the right reasons. Really question yourself about your motivations. All that glitters isn't gold, and if your reasons are anything to do with material aspects, glamour and fame, you will soon find that you run out of fuel pretty quickly.
If you have an inexplicable burning desire to act that you cannot articulate, then go for it. Buckle in. Enjoy every minute; the lows as well as the highs. Because they exist, in buckets, so you may as well learn to love them. And those bad times will only serve to make you enjoy the highs a hundred times. Do not take anything for granted. Be gracious. Be humble. But do not kiss ass.
Are there any other projects you're currently involved with you can share some details about?
I am currently in China filming a BBC2 documentary: Chinese New Year: The Biggest Celebration on Earth with Kate Humble, Ant Anstead and the Hairy Bikers. It is a three-part series that will be shown on consecutive nights: 14, 15 and 16 February.
The series is an exploration of how China celebrates Chinese New Year. It goes further in delving into the traditions and rituals than what audiences in the West may already be familiar with. Even being born in Shanghai myself, I had no idea of half the things I was sent to report on. It really is an honour to be part of this show, to be given the opportunity to return to my motherland and also see such a different side to it. It is ten years since I was last in China, so in a way coming back now has also been quite a personal experience.
I am also gearing up to host the 2016 Chinese New Celebrations in Trafalgar Square on Sunday 14 February. It is my second year hosting and I learnt a lot from last year. For example, expect the unexpected, England likes to rain, and do not wear a dress in February when standing outdoors for six hours. Last year's show was fantastic and I think this year will be even better, especially with my newly learnt lessons.
Lucky Man continues Fridays, 9pm on Sky1.