British East and Southeast Asian actress Jemma Moore is making waves with her compelling new role in the thrilling ITV drama Red Eye. Moore plays Jess Li, an ambitious journalist and younger sister to DC Hana Li. In this high-stakes series, a simple extradition case spirals into a dangerous international conspiracy, drawing Jess into the heart of the action. Speaking to Resonate, Moore discussed her role.
Moore brings a refreshing authenticity to the character. She identifies with Jess’s determination and playful spirit: “I saw a lot of myself in her…she’s quite cheeky and playful, but also really headstrong and determined.”
Read more: ‘Red Eye’: Jing Lusi Shatters Barriers With Landmark Asian Lead in ITV Thriller
However, Jess is also a complex character, navigating her identity as a mixed-race woman in a world that doesn’t always understand her background. Moore describes her excitement about the role: “When I got the scripts, I couldn’t put them down… I was super excited. I’m 31 and I had honestly never seen two female British East Asian roles written like this before.” She recognizes the importance of these roles, not just for her own career, but for the impact they will have on audiences.
A Character of Many Layers: Exploring Jess’s Mixed-Race Identity
Red Eye is a groundbreaking series with a strong focus on representation. Moore’s journey to securing this role exemplifies the evolving landscape of British television. The role was originally written for a full Asian actress, but Moore believed the character could be just as compelling for a mixed-race actress like herself. She recognized the importance of expanding opportunities for East and Southeast Asian actors, who are often underrepresented on screen, but also the value of showcasing the full spectrum of Asian identity.
Moore explains, “Having a mixed-race actress portraying Jess adds another layer to her character. We had conversations about how Jess navigates her cultural identity between her Asian family and predominantly white spaces. For example, she eats the food her Asian parents make for her, but doesn’t notice the subtleties differentiating types of Asian cuisine. That shows how she straddles both worlds. She honors her Asian-ness, which is something many of us with Asian heritage do. There are also photos of us as kids with her Asian mom, emphasizing her roots.”
Read more: ‘Red Eye’: Jing Lusi Shatters Barriers With Landmark Asian Lead in ITV Thriller
However, Jess also experiences the complexities of being mixed-race in a society that often tries to categorize people. Moore shares, “Then, like me, Jess has a certain confidence from being British. But she, like other mixed people, still struggles with feeling a sense of otherness sometimes. I’ve dealt with similar feelings – being aware that I’m different due to racism at school, but also having people say they don’t see me as Asian. I incorporated these complexities into how Jess behaves with her sister and within her world.”
The Power of Nuanced Representation
Moore is a passionate advocate for projects that offer a more nuanced portrayal of Asians in the media. Looking back on her own career, she observes a positive shift: “There’s definitely been progress in terms of roles offered to East and Southeast Asian actors in recent years. Being in Wonder Woman was a turning point, as was the #MeToo movement. Before that, the excuse was always ‘we already have our one Asian person.’ Now, there’s more recognition that we deserve a diversity of roles.”
She emphasizes the importance of showcasing Asian characters who are not defined by stereotypes: “It’s simple – we have so many talented professionals of East and Southeast Asian descent in the UK, but they’re not being utilized. These shows prove that we can have compelling stories centred around our experiences, both the cultural aspects and just being normal people living in Britain. They also show future creators that this is possible!”
Moore believes that supporting projects like Red Eye is crucial for fostering a more inclusive media landscape: “Shows like this inspire the next generation. Seeing the younger generation doing well too means we’re paving the way!”
Beyond Representation: A Story that Resonates
Moore’s passion for the project and her belief in its significance for wider East and Southeast Asian representation shine through. Audiences can connect with Jess’s struggles as an aspiring journalist, making the show relatable beyond its thrilling plot. Viewers will see Jess grapple with the challenges of balancing her career aspirations with her loyalty to her family. They’ll root for her as she navigates the complexities of her cultural identity, a theme that will resonate with many viewers from mixed-race backgrounds. Ultimately, Red Eye offers a multifaceted portrait of a young woman finding her place in the world, all set against the backdrop of a pulse-pounding international conspiracy.
“I did my research and actually spoke to a really cool journalist… journalism is mostly a slog of trying to get a story over the line and then you get this 1% of euphoric excitement when a story does come together,” Moore explained, offering insight into the dedication she brought to the role.
Jemma Moore is a rising star, carving her space as a leading voice for the British East and Southeast Asian community. Red Eye promises to be one of ITV’s most exciting new shows, inviting audiences to join Jess on a thrilling and meaningful journey.
