The Big Roles and the also Big Roles of Orion Lee
Perhaps the greatest attribute of streaming services is that Americans gain access to amazing productions created in other countries. If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you’re likely aware of the BBC BAFTA and Screen Nation Awards nominated series Informer. The story displays the complexity of immigrants in London, though the premise is reflected in many parts of the world. Among the incredible cast is Orion Lee as Jin Weijun, a hard-working man at a London restaurant who dreams of bringing his family into a better life. Lee’s portrayal is one of the most moving of the series as he presents this brave character with a tragic end. From TV drama to his role in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (as Suday Bascus) to his lead role in the upcoming feature film First Cow, Orion always offers something different and new to fans of his work.
Informer became one of 2018’s most lauded and popular new TV series. Set in London, it deals with the mixing of cultures, terrorism, and the struggle of England to define its modern identity. Raza Shar (the show’s central character) is a second generation British-Pakistani man from East London who works a seemingly dead end job while aspiring to undertake a true profession. Nights are his respite with friends, a love interest, and partying. He gets bullied into working with counterterrorism officers Gabe Waters and Holly Morten who place him in the unenviable position of warming-up to suspected covert terrorists in London. A series of short vignettes at the beginning of each episode reveal the tragic outcome of the first season. Orion’s character Jin Weijun is at the center of one of the most heartbreaking events in the story’s climax. Much of this centers around a shooting that happens in a bustling coffee shop. From the acting to the writing, directing and editing, the production does an exceptional job of keeping viewers guessing and using production prestidigitation to conceal the truth.
Family is a primary theme of Informer. The show does an exceptional job of presenting a number of variations of this through different cultures and characters; reminding us that there is not one specific definition of family. Orion’s portrayal of Jin is that of a hard working immigrant who is solely focused on bringing his family to London to offer them a better life. Through Jin we witness a hope and staunch work ethic that slowly transforms to hopelessness due to a lack of upwardly mobile opportunities. Jin is giving everything to achieve a future which may never materialize. At the same time, he is separated from his family and thereby living a life only based around work. Remarkably, Lee is almost unrecognizable in the role as he ideally embodies this man so defeated by his situation even though moments of levity break through at times. Informer was nominated for a BAFTA in 2019 for Best Drama Series. It also stars Paddy Considine (twice BAFTA award winning actor) as Gabe Waters, Nabhaan Rizwan as Raza Shar, and Bel Powley as Holly Morten.
A modern actor is required to embrace a variety of platforms in their work; film, television, streaming, etc. From the theatre to online (Orion’s appearance in the YouTube comedy sketch “The Expert” has received more than twenty-two million views all over the world and been translated into over thirty different languages, including a Russian dubbed version) he has pursued them all. His most recent and the one he confirms he is most excited about is the lead role of King-Lu in the upcoming feature film First Cow. Set in the 1820s Oregon Territory, the film is based on Jonathan Raymond’s novel about pioneer fur trappers and the alliances (or lack of) which laid the ground work for the region. Filmmaker Kelly Reichardt has based the film on Raymond’s novel but has taken her own artistic slant on the story. Orion relates, “Unfortunately, I have to keep details on King-Lu secret for now as the movie is yet to be released and I wouldn’t want to give any spoilers away. I will say it’s based on a book by Jonathan Raymond called ‘The Half Life.’ However, as many screenplay adaptations do, the story has changed quite a bit from the book whilst maintaining its spirit. Nevertheless, I’m sure it will be fascinating for the audience to read the book before coming to the movie to understand the intricacies and the particular challenges when adapting a screenplay from a book. Jonathan is a fantastic author and screenwriter and has collaborated with Kelly Reichardt many times in the past.”
From Star Wars: The Last Jedi to King-Lu in First Cow, Orion Lee presents his own talent in a variety of roles. It doesn’t go unnoticed that he’s a part of the current wave of actors who are both exceptionally talented and also able to present a wide spectrum of roles for Asian characters. Lee adds, “I think it’s important to give back to the industry. I support an Asian new writing charity and also an Asian Theatre charity where we provide a bursary for graduating students of Asian descent. It’s my way of contributing to greater representation of Asians in the film, tv, and theatre industries. This year we awarded two bursaries. One to Millicent Wong who graduates from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and one to Shaofan Wilson from Oxford School of Drama. Two excellent examples of new talent entering into the industry. The panel of judges we’ve gathered includes casting directors from the BBC, Royal Shakespeare Company, and the National Theatre.”
