LUCIDMEDIA

Questions for Ando: An Interview with James Kyson Lee

Written by Lisa M. Knapp Wednesday, 02 September 2009 10:33

Save the cheerleader, save the world. That’s the memorable line from what is currently one of the most popular shows on TV. Heroes is a series about regular people have super-powers of various types and who use their powers for both good or evil. I had the opportunity to speak to one of the cast members of this popular television series, James Kyson Lee who plays the character Ando, the best friend of time traveler Hiro Nakamura (Masi Oka). But Lee is no mere sidekick, last season his character got powers of his own and the actor himself was recently voted in as one of Hollywood’s 25 Hottest by TV Guide.

Lee appeared at Fan Expo last weekend reliving with fans all the suspense and excitement of Heroes third season by joining them for a special screening of bonus features from the DVD release of season three. Below in my interview with Lee, look for a little bit of inside information on the next season of Heroes.

Lucid Forge: Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule for a short interview.

James Kyson Lee: No Problem.

LF: First, I want to know if you are looking forward to Fan Expo in Toronto?

JKL: I am… I was in Toronto two years ago for part of our world tour and had such a great time. I believe this expo is one of the biggest in the world so I’m really looking forward to it.

LF: What do you enjoy most about being part of the cast of one of television’s most popular shows?

JKL: There are so many things. It has given me really great opportunities to travel....Obviously Canada, Hawaii, France, and Australia. We are one of the few shows that have had the opportunity to be shown all over the world. It’s really cool to have many people be able to talk about and relate to so I think that is part of one of the most satisfying experiences.

LF: Do you get along with everyone in the cast?

JKL: Yeah it’s a fun group and what is funny about it and because we are separated by storylines we go for weeks sometimes months before seeing another cast member… so when we are watching a show it’s as much as a thrill for us as anything else. It’s really fun to catch up on other people’s storylines.

LF: Now that your character Ando has super powers do you feel more part of “the team”?

JKL: I’ve always felt part of the team so it’s nice that they have added this icing on the cake. I was glad that I was human first and the character was able to develop a lot of characteristics more as a person not necessarily relying on the power… I think it makes him a very relatable character. This is a character that many people have latched onto and represented and now that he is shooting lasers out of his hands it’s more of something that can be related in a way.

LF: How do you relate to your character Ando?

JKL: He has got a happy go lucky sensibility about him that he is always looking for adventure he is also a problem solver where my buddy gets into trouble when he turns into a ten year old. It’s a fun character and kind of a Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn type relationship or a fun brother type relationship.

LF: Are there any inside secrets you can hint to the fans for next season?

JKL: I can tell you that Ando is starting a new business with Hiro which is going to throw us into some unusual adventures and Ando is going to be interlinked into another character that will be interesting for the audience.  He is also going to run into someone from his past as well.
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To read up more on James Kyson Lee, see his website at www.jameskysonlee.com/