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- VM: Getting the ball rolling Kai, thank you for taking time out of your schedule to speak with Vents Magazine about all of your amazing work. Before we go down the proverbial rabbit hole, how are you doing during this unprecedented time we now find ourselves in?
- K: My pleasure, thanks for having me. The times are tough indeed. It’s strange seeing the world act so differently, in the few times I’ve popped outside for fresh air or to grab groceries. I’m spending lots of time cooking and calling my friends and family. So grateful for the effort everyone is making to stay connected.
- VM: Congratulations on your amazing work in the Freeform hour long drama series, Motherland: Fort Salem. For the viewers who have not yet been fortunate enough to stumble upon this provocative outing, how would you describe the plot and your character’s place in it?
- K: Our show is set in an alternate America where the persecution of witches ended with a deal being cut. Witches sought safety for this kind and in turn would run the military, fighting to protect the country. We follow new recruit through training and I play Gerit Buttonwood, the love interest to Tally Craven, played by Jessica Sutton. He is a deeply passionate and caring young warlock from witch High Society.
- VM: The show feels timeless in that it tackles issues such as strong, upright women, questionable governments and the unshakeable bonds fostered by love and understanding. Were these underlying themes a big draw for you as an actor?
- K: Absolutely! The value and power that this series gives to important underrepresented groups is groundbreaking. These are voices being heard and important stories being told. It’s fantastic to see these timeless themese set to a brand new concept.
- VM: You work with such an incredible ensemble of actors in Motherland, from such stalwarts as Taylor Hickson, Demetria McKinney and the redoubtable Jessica Sutton. What has it been like as an actor for you to play off of such an unbelievable talent?
- K: These actresses are gifts of support and inspiration. I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to work alongside them. I was always on my toes, there’s so much room to play and create.
- VM: Motherland sort of plies its wares in the fertile grounds of other alternate reality projects such as The Handmaid’s Tale and director Quentin Tarantino’s alt-look at World War Two in Inglorious Bastards or his take on the Manson murders in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. What is the appeal of these alternate earth storylines do you think?
- K: In theatre we often use the French term, “I’esprit d’escalier” – the spirit of the staircase. This refers to our thoughts on what could have been done or said, only after an encounter or event has passed. I think these fantasy versions of history satisfy the desire to witness a different outcome, how things could be improved or perhaps how things could be worse. It all ties into escapism and in difficult times, we are able to seek asylum in another world unlike our own.
- VM: Can you give Vents readers any hints about future storylines and/or plot developments in Motherland?
- K: Unfortunately my hands are tied there. Never a dull moment in Fort Salem so expect many more twists and brilliant action.
- VM: Prior to Motherland, you made a profound splash in The CW special feature film, Warigami as Vincent Ohata. Would you consider Vincent as a breakout role for yourself?
- K: Warigami was my first leading role in film and I would say it definitely played a hand in putting me on the radar. It was a blast to shoot and I only wish more people had seen it! It’s available on The CW Seed and CBC Gem to stream.
- VM: Speaking of alternate realities, you quietly and gracefully stole every scene that featured you in the Amazon series The Man in the High Castle. How was that particular experience for you?
- K: That was my first job in TV! It was daunting being thrown into a large scale project such as High Castle but incredibly fun to shoot. Worked with blood packs, cigarettes, guns… all things that are quite foreign to me.
- VM: What first attracted you to the acting profession?
- K: I first discovered the stage as an improviser and quickly started work in plays and musicals. Caught the bug as they say and I love every medium of storytelling and sharing human experience with audiences.
- VM: Has there been any actor that has greatly inspired your own work?
- K: In terms of style, I never aim to emulate other artists and I’m terrible at narrowing down a name as a single inspiration. Every friend, mentor and peer has influenced how I work as an actor.
- VM: How does your family feel about your acting?
- K: They are extremely supportive of my endeavours as an artist — most of them are artists themselves. Though they may not love every project I’m in (certainly ones I die in), they are always cheering me on.
- VM: You were a part of AMC’s splendid second season of The Terror which, among other things, looked at the Japanese internment camps during World War Two. You are the son of a Scottish father and a Japanese mother. Was it particularly important for you to be involved in this project, considering your Japanese heritage?
- K: Quite early on, the second I heard about the project, I contacted my amazing agent, Melanie Hawthorne-Toogood and said: “I have to be a part of this!” To which, her reply was “already submitted you.” She’s a rockstar. Not only was I keen to be a part of The Terror: Infamy because of my Japanese heritage, I landed a role I could only dream of existing. For the first time, I played a half Caucasian — half Japanese character on paper and worked alongside legendary George Takei. Major career highlight for me!
- VM: You’ve acted onscreen and on stage. Do you have a preference between the two, or is it apples and oranges?
- K: Certainly apples and oranges. Though stage is my first love, I quickly grew to appreciate screen work as a completely different beast. They are separate art forms demanding new skill sets for each.
- VM: What’s coming up for you in the future, acting-wise?
- K: Due to the pandemic, opportunities have been severely limited. Keep on the lookout for Gerit in future episodes of Motherland: Fort Salem this season.
- VM: Last silly question: You’re stranded on a deserted island. What is the one film and the one album you tide yourself over with while awaiting rescue?
- K: This is tough for me because my taste is so varied and ever-changing. Today, I’ll take Tim Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Mumford and Sons’ Sigh No More on vinyl.
— by Ryan Vandergriff