Olivia Cheng stars in The Weinstein Co. produced Netflix series Marco Polo, and Season 2 of the series premieres on Netflix on July 1st. Set in a world of greed, betrayal, sexual intrigue and rivalry, Marco Polo is based on the famed explorer’s adventures in Kublai Khan’s court. Produced by The Weinstein Company, the drama features a global cast including Olivia Cheng who plays Mei Lin, the sister of Jia Sidao and favorite mistress of the Emperor of the Song Dynasty. Mei Lin is a beautiful and alluring woman, but also a dangerous warrior who possesses a proud and intelligent mind. Marco Polo has set a precedent for production, being one of the most expensive television series ever produced. Netflix will launch all 10 episodes of the second season on July 1st.
The Edmonton-based native told us about her role on the show and why she looks up to actress Lena Dunham.
CraveOnline: Tell us about Marco Polo – what has it been like working on this show?
Olivia Cheng: Our show is “faction” – fact meets fiction – following famed Italian explorer Marco Polo as he lands in the Mongolian court of Kublai Khan during the 13th century.
Kublai is warring with China’s Song Dynasty in season one and my character, Mei Lin, is the favored imperial concubine of the dying Chinese emperor, she’s also sister to the Dynasty’s corrupt Chancellor Jia Si Dao. The chancellor takes Mei Lin’s daughter hostage to blackmail her into entering the court of Kublai Khan as a double agent. She eventually becomes the Khan’s prisoner of war when the Khan seizes her daughter, and in season two she continues to navigate her way as a double agent to keep her daughter alive.
Working on this show has been epic and life changing. I’ve never been so stretched outside my comfort zone as an actress between the emotional investment, the stunt training, and yes, the nudity. I’ve grown a lot, seen parts of the world I never would’ve seen otherwise and I’ve made friends from all over. It’s opened doors for me I’m so grateful to step through.
Any other projects that you’re currently working on?
I just finished guest starring on the pilot episode of another new Netflix show called Travellers. Other than that, nothing I can talk about just yet, but thanks for asking.
We understand you’re from Alberta- do you ever go back and visit Alberta?
Yes! I’m proud to be an Alberta prairie kid, I grew up on an acreage catching frogs and living next to farmers who’d lend us their goat to cut the grass. When the goat did a number two, I thought balls of chocolate were coming out of it and my mom kept me in the house so I wouldn’t eat goat poop. From there I moved to Edmonton for school, and I’m currently between Vancouver and LA. I visit my family as often as I can, especially now that I have a niece and nephew. I want them to know me before they become teenagers and pretend they’re not related to me.
Any desire to work behind the camera?
Yes absolutely! My first two projects as a writer never got off the ground but they were optioned right away so that gave me the confidence to keep trying. I’ve directed my professional acting and stunt friends in comedic skits that turned out really memorable so I’d love to do it for real one day. I actually put together a skit for Marco Polo’s season two wrap party where we spoofed The Office.
Who is someone in the business that you look up to and why?
So many I could name! Right now I’m really talent-crushing on Lena Dunham. Between Girls, her books, her advocacy and her Lenny newsletter giving fellow female artists a platform to say what they want to say how they want to say it – she’s a boss. My castmate Remy Hii introduced me to Girls when he knew I was struggling with the upcoming nudity for my role. We ended up printing off a picture of Lena playing ping pong in the nude and stuck it in my dressing room like a talisman… is that weird?
What’s one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I walk into things a lot. Especially glass patio doors.
