V-Wars interview: Jacky Lai teases Kaylee Vo and the vampire series as a whole

Jacky Lai is the female lead in Netflix’s upcoming V-Wars with Ian Somerhalder. In this exclusive interview, she teases the vampire series and her character, Kaylee Vo.

Many fans will recognize Jacky Lai from Shadowhunters, but she has a new show coming up. She stars in V-Wars with Ian Somerhalder, a vampire series with a twist.

We sat down with Lai to discuss her character and the series, figuring out why she’s so important in the vampire-human war. And we couldn’t help but ask about her time on Shadowhunters in the final season.

Netflix Life: Can you share a little about your character and how she fits intoV-Wars?

Jacky Lai: My character Kaylee Vo is a young online journalist who uses her own personal resources to uncover the biggest story of her life. Kaylee functions as the eye of the people, the unfiltered and raw perception of what is really happening in this world.

Netflix Life: This is more than just another vampire story. Can you tease what we can expect?

Lai: V-Wars is so different from any other vampire story because we don’t follow the trail of vampirism and relish in it; it’s a show about discovery. The audience and the characters are on the same journey, uncovering what a ‘vampire’ means and how they fit in a non-tolerant world.

The show has taken on real concerns from our society such as climate change, politics, and discrimination, and weaved that into stories of love, indifference, and union.

Netflix Life: What was it about the role or the show that pulled you in right away?

Lai: It’s Kaylee’s independent entity. She isn’t there because of a man or anyone else; she stands on her own, has her own voice in the show, and has full control over her choices and her journey.

Netflix Life: What’s been your favorite part of filming?

Lai: The learning. There are so many lessons in life that only experience can teach you, and because V-Wars was my first lead in a series, I had so much to learn! Even after all the filming, I’m still being transformed by the experience.

Netflix Life: What’s the one thing in particular that you can’t wait for fans to see (without giving away spoilers, of course)?

Lai: Well, I am really proud to be representing the Vietnamese community and so honored that the team at V-Wars allowed me to speak my language in the show. So I’m really excited for the world to see that!

Netflix Life: From the promo alone, I see a lot of connection to the world today. Instead of immigrants, the people are turning against these people with the vampire virus. Is this something you noticed? Did it affect anything in the filming?

Lai: Oh 100%! I’m amazed you caught that from the preview! I think that’s exactly what makes our show so much deeper and humane.

Our brilliant creators, William Laurin & Glenn Davis, have brought in the voice of the people, the concerns of our world (ie immigration), and are telling their stories from all sides, with no judgment, and are allowing the viewers to decide for themselves which side their heart is on.

Netflix Life: Shadowhunters fans are going to immediately recognize you as Aline. What was it like coming onto that show in the final season with such a crazy but supportive fanbase?

Lai: It was honestly a hug from the universe. I was really nervous of course because like you said, the fanbase is worldwide and they are so incredibly involved with the show, and our show loved their fans. There’s so much love and respect that goes around in the Shadow World that I felt a pressure to be good enough and make them proud.

I was so lucky to start my rehearsal training with Kat McNamara, she is such a star—we hit it off right away. After six hours of stunt training, we refused to stop. Our stunt coordinator was like, you girls are crazy! You won’t be able to feel your legs tomorrow, and he was right! But at that moment we connected because we were both petite little girls who didn’t back down from hard work.

Then my first day of filming was with Dom [Sherwood] and he’s a riot. His sense of humor is out of this world, I have never laughed so much on set!

So to be honest, though I felt nervous and pressured, I was so welcomed by the cast and the crew that instantly I felt a like part of the family. And then the fans—my god! I am thankful for them every single day. They too have taken me in with open arms and are just so so lovely!

Netflix Life: You’ve worked a lot in the fantasy genre in recent years. Is there something particular that you love the most about this or is it just about projects that sound interesting?

Lai: I think fantasy becomes like therapy to some people. It uses basic human emotions but wraps it up in a crazy, beautiful world. I love living in it because it gives you that extra push to be more creative with your character choices and their responses.

Netflix Life: What’s your dream role if you could do absolutely anything?

Lai: I’d like to go on a hero’s journey; through the becoming of and how they rise to their power. So my dream role would be to play a Marvel superhero. I think that would be such a crazy, life-changing experience.

V-Wars debuts on Netflix on Dec. 5.