Meet the DADDY gone wrong

HBO ASIA’S NEW original mini-series “Grace” was shot entirely in Singapore with an all-Asian cast.
Directed by Australian Tony Tilse and produced by the award-winning Singapore production firm Infocus Asia, “Grace” is the channel’s second original series after last year’s 10-part “Serangoon Road”.
Just in time for Halloween, “Grace” is a four-part horror mini-series set in the present day, relating the gruesome fate of a member of a picture-perfect family. The unfaithful act of the father condemns the family to unspeakable horror.
The cast was drawn from New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan and the US and includes Singaporeans Constance Song (who starred in “Point of Entry” and “The Ultimatum”), Pamelyn Chee (“Serangoon Road”), Jean Toh and Vivienne Tseng. Rising Taiwanese star Teresa Daley (“Transformers: Age of Extinction”) also appears.
Taking the role of Roy Chan, the loving father but unfaithful husband who brings his own family to ruin, is Chinese-American Russell Wong, the former photographer whose first film appearance was in 1987’s “China Girl”. He’s since been seen in “The Joy Luck Club” (1993), “Vanishing Song” (1994), “Romeo Must Die” (2000), “Twisted” (2004), “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” (2008) among other movies, and on television’s “Nikita”, “Hawaii Five-0” and “Serangoon Road”.
He also happens to be the elder brother of singer-actor Michael Wong, who kick-started his music career in Thailand with the album “From Far Away” (“Chan Ma Glai”), which sold over a million copies in 1993.
We had a chat with 51-year-old Roy Chan about his role in “Grace”.

HOW DID YOU BECOME A PART OF “GRACE”?
I was cast in “Serangoon Road” and played opposite Joan Chen for a few episodes. I met Erika North at this time and she invited me back to play the lead in “Grace”.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT THIS PROJECT?
I like the cast the most. Everyone in the cast was very prepared and we had good camaraderie. It was a great group of actors to work with.

WHAT IS YOUR CHARACTER LIKE?
Roy Chan is a caring father, but an unfaithful husband. His actions impact his family and everything in their lives starts to spiral downward.

HOW DID YOU PREPARE FOR THE ROLE?
As far as preparation, I take the script and read it several times, and then rehearse with the other actors to gain clarity about the role and where the character is coming from.

YOU’RE STARRING WITH MANY ASIAN ACTORS. ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH ANY OF THEM?
I am familiar with Lim Yu-Beng. We worked together on two other projects before this over the years. He is a solid theatre actor.
And also I worked with Lim Kay Tong on “Vanishing Son” in 1994. I had met Nora Samosri on the set but we didn’t have any scenes together.

“GRACE” WAS SHOT IN SINGAPORE. HOW DO YOU LIKE IT?
I’ve been to Singapore several times over the years. I find it quite agreeable. I like coming here. I like the people and of course the food!

THE FINALE OF “GRACE” AIRS ON HALLOWEEN. CAN BE EXPECT SOMETHING VERY SCARY?
The final episode will not disappoint. The story has a slow build to a very strong finish.

WHAT ROLES YOU ALWAYS WANTED HAVE YOU NEVER HAD THE CHANCE AT?
As far as what roles I would like to play. One of my favourite films is “Remains of the Day”. I like Anthony Hopkins’ role in that. As far as action, I like the “Taken” franchise with Liam Neeson.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AFTER “GRACE”?
I’m back in the US considering different projects. I really hope to be back in Asia again soon, though.

PLEASE SAY SOMETHING TO THE THAI FANS.
Hello to all the Thai people and fans of HBO! I have always enjoyed coming to Thailand to visit and work. Blessings!

REMOTE AT THE READY
“Grace” premieres at 9 tonight on HBO HD (TrueVisions 223). New episodes are broadcast every Friday with reruns at 11pm on Saturdays. The two-part finale is on October 31.
Find out more at HBOAsia.com.