In the just-released Season 2 of One Piece, Bridgerton star Charithra Chandran plays Nefertari Vivi (aka Miss Wednesday), an undercover princess from the Alabasta arc. The British actress of Indian descent — whose role as Edwina Sharma in Bridgerton had deep impact — spoke to t2 over a video call about her One Piece adventure, streaming on Netflix, and more.
What have the biggest highlights of the One Piece Season 2 experience been for you?
Meeting the people and making the friends that I have made. There are some friendships on this show that will last forever. The second highlight is getting to explore this character (Nefertari Vivi/ Miss Wednesday) that I feel like I have been profoundly changed in my personal life by. The third is getting to film where we film. It has been such an awe-inspiring experience.
In what ways has this character changed you personally? Does that happen to you with most of the people you play?
Yes, I learn from every character and they do affect me 100 per cent. I don’t think I am that good at compartmentalising my real self from my characters, especially now that we are filming Season 3 (of One Piece). I am so profoundly affected by her bravery and her perseverance, and it has
encouraged me to be braver too.
What did you think of the original anime on which One Piece is based?
I hadn’t watched it, nor had I ever heard of it.
So what was your reaction when you first heard about this world that has so many fans?
Let me tell you, I felt so ignorant because now that I am fully immersed in the world, I see it everywhere! And I think pre-One Piece, how could I have missed it?! It is just so huge, it is so impactful. I am like: “Oh my God!” Currently it is my entire life.
Are there any aspects of Vivi that you identify with as Charithra?
Having a lot of responsibility and the weight of the world on her shoulders... there are some elements I can totally relate to.
Your casting came in for some backlash from a segment of fans who criticised the choice of an Indian actress for the role, citing differences from the anime’s character design. One Piece creator Eiichiro Oda as well as your co-stars reacted very strongly in your defense. What did that mean to you and your confidence as an actor?
In order to be able to do my best work, I need to feel really safe and protected and my castmates coming to my defense like that made me feel safe, protected and supported. It was such a heartwarming moment. They are good people.
What is the environment like on the One Piece sets? It looks like a fun show to make...
Work hard, play hard, you know.... On set, we work really hard and we are laser-focused and so prepared. But we also have fun... because it is fun! Our jobs are fun. When we need to lock in, we absolutely do, but the show is so whimsical and it requires us to have that whimsy.
It is early days for you as an actor but you have done quite a bit of impactful work already. How would you look back at the journey so far?
The second big job I did was Bridgerton. A flaw of mine is that I am very good at normalising crazy experiences and being very unaffected by most things. For me, it is just that I get to do my job, I get to play.... But it is my job and I have a real life, which is very separate.
What I do is very important and I take it very seriously and I work really hard. But once I am done — and that is the nature of the job, when they call “cut”, it is out of your control — you walk away and you trust and pray that it is in the hands of the right people. You hope that the fans love it.