Charithra Chandran isn’t interested in “quiet” sophistication; she wants cinema that is loud, bold, and energetic. It’s an energy she brings to her latest role as the iconic Miss Wednesday in the second season of the massive live-action adaptation of “One Piece”. Meeting our February Cover Story reveals a performer who is surprisingly insulated from the “noise” of fame. In our candid conversation, Charithra reflects on her “greatest act of rebellion,” the universal power of following one’s dreams, and why – despite the billboards and the global fanbases – she still feels most at home in her own quiet bubble.
What’s your first cinema memory?
I think it must be watching “Mulan”. I remember finding an affinity with Mushu, the dragon [laughs]. To this day, it’s still my favourite Disney princess film. You know, thinking back to when there was so much less diversity, I really connected with the non-white Disney princess, and especially the ones who were powerful and strong and noble. I think that, considering the person that I am now and the things that I believe in, it totally makes sense that “Mulan” was my favourite or my first cinema memory.
You know, I’ve been singing a song from “Mulan” all day today, it’s funny that you mentioned that.
Oh my God, the soundtrack is so good. I don’t think it gets the credit it deserves.
Yeah! Speaking about your career so far, you’ve moved so seamlessly between fantasy, romance, action and theatre, as well. What kind of stories make you feel most alive as a performer right now?
I think what I’ve been really liking is bigger cinema, things that are loud and bold. I think that often we associate, whether it’s in fashion or in film, sophistication with a quietness and a subtlety, which is obviously incredibly valuable, but right now I love to be struck in the face. If I think about all the big films of the year, like “Sinners”, “One Battle After Another” and “Marty Supreme”, that’s what they all do – they hit you in the face. It’s the same with fashion, right? When the world is feeling so bleak and so dark, I love energy and brightness.
“When the world is feeling so bleak and so dark, I love energy and brightness.”
And when you look back at your journey, from “Alex Reader” to “Bridgerton” to “One Piece”, which is coming out soon, what surprises you most about how your career has unfolded?
That’s a really good question. If I’m being honest, I had such an easy start of it because things happened very quickly for me. For that reason, I presumed that most careers would just be a constant, stable trajectory. But it’s not the case in, like, the creative field.
With every project, I’m learning more and more the things I like, how I like to work, working on my craft and trying different genres. And it’s not the stable upwards trajectory that I thought it would be… But actually, the journey is far more interesting and valuable when it’s not like that.
In fact, “Bridgerton” made you a global star almost overnight. What did this sudden visibility teach you about yourself?
That I’m quite insulated as a person. I always joke about it, and I still don’t think I fully realise how big “Bridgerton” was and is. So much of my life and the things that are meaningful to me have stayed the same and it surprises me. Sometimes I’ll be scrolling on social media, and I’ll see a picture of myself not on my page, like someone talking about me, or an ad or a billboard or whatever it is, and every time I’ll be surprised. So, I think what it’s taught me is that clearly, I live in my own bubble.
You know, I have to say that for the most part, “fame” really hasn’t affected me, and I’m constantly shocked that anyone cares about me, to be honest [laughs].
Now, speaking of “One Piece”, this manga/anime has one of the most passionate fan bases in the world. Were you nervous stepping into such a beloved universe?
I think that the saying “ignorance is bliss” was really true in my situation. I don’t really know anything about manga or anime, and I’d never heard of “One Piece”, so when I got the role, I had no context for how big it was. I feel so foolish, now, it is utter ignorance on my part because it’s one of the biggest IPs in the world! I was like, “How did I go so much of my life without knowing about this?”. And of course, now I see it everywhere, right? Once the glass is shattered, you’re like, “Oh my gosh, it’s literally inescapable”.
Anyway, I think because I didn’t know much going into it, I felt really free. And because obviously, I’ve read the manga now, so I didn’t grow up reading it, I don’t think that I felt super beholden to the source material. The production, also, is really good at giving the actors a certain level of freedom to figure out the characters for us, which is the fun in it, right?
I guess! But without you probably realising it, Miss Wednesday, your character, is an iconic character. What was your reaction when you got the role?
It was humility for the world that Oda-sensei has created. You know, the manga has now been going on for 28 years, and the reality is, I loved playing my character and I love her so much, I think she’s so special. In the 28-year saga of “One Piece”, and long may it continue, she has like a beautiful storyline. Of course, in the expansive universe of “One Piece”, I play a small part – she is a beautiful piece in a huge puzzle that is the whole story – so, I don’t think I really felt a pressure of it. And that’s the beauty of it: so many new people will be introduced every season, and my character is one of them, and then she’ll leave and she’ll have had a beautiful story.
“…so many new people will be introduced every season, and my character is one of them, and then she’ll leave and she’ll have had a beautiful story.”
How did you balance staying faithful to the manga while making the character feel emotionally real in live action?
I actually think the manga is super emotional. I connected with the manga way more than I connected with the anime, you know. Oda-sensei’s manga is the Bible for us in the show, of course, while the anime is supplementary for us.
What I try to do with every character is find out what the essence is – the most pivotal aspects of the character, the moments that matter most to the fans – and I try to honour those and then pad out the rest of it from those essences. I think that is both how one can stay true to the character as written and conceived, but also make it my own.
What surprised you most about filming such an imaginative world?
Shockingly, how practical it is. I mean, there’s a lot of VFX in the show, of course, but most of it is actually built and real. I don’t know about other shows of this grandeur, but in “One Piece”, at least, the sets are all real, the stuff happening is all real.
There must be a lot of work behind it, so I guess a great, efficient crew.
Yes, absolutely, so much work, so many talented people. The crew in South Africa, especially, is so proud of the show, as they absolutely should be. They put their heart and soul into it.
Did you have to do any special training, like, physical or mental training for this show?
No, I didn’t, actually. You know, all of the straw hats are so talented physically, they’re all martial artists. Going back to what I was saying before, I landed in South Africa and they’re suddenly like, “Oh, yeah, you’ve got loads of fights”, but I had no idea I had to [laughs]. Luckily, our stunt team is so brilliant and so good, and we’re provided all the support that we need to make the stunts happen.
Why do you think “One Piece” resonates so deeply with people across generations and across cultures?
I think it’s because it is a story about travelling various worlds, so, there are so many different characters that people can relate to.
Anyway, I think fundamentally the show is about friendship, right? And about following your dreams, which I think are universal, non-political messages. It’s all about being good to your friends and following your dreams, which is not a left-wing position or a right-wing position, it is just the most universal thing. I think that’s why “One Piece” is so successful.
“It’s all about being good to your friends and following your dreams, which is not a left-wing position or a right-wing position, it is just the most universal thing.”
We need more of that, I think. We need more than political.
Generally speaking, is there a role you’ve played that quietly changed you as a person? And what did you discover about yourself?
When I was at university, I got to portray Medea in a stage play. It reaffirmed everything I love about this craft and what it means to give and connect. I think that experience and that role really changed me, in very profound ways. I would still say that’s one of my fondest experiences.
Yeah, that’s so deep as a story, one of my favourite Greek tragedies. What do you do to reconnect with yourself when the industry noise gets too loud?
I have amazing family and friends. I think that we all get affected by that, and what we have to do is just connect with what’s important. I think that we can’t operate from a place of fear or anxiety or insecurity, so I rely on my friends and family. Also, I go to therapy, and that’s important.
All in all, that was a roundabout way of saying, “just chat to loved ones”.
You’re also an associate producer on “Song of the Sun God”. What made you want to step into this new creative leadership role? And what kinds of stories do you want to help bring to the world as a producer?
I always say my North Star is I want something that is for the culture and something that is entertaining, and the centre of that Venn diagram is what I want to make. You know, I’ve always been very management orientated. The creative process from the beginning is really fun, I enjoy it, and what you need as a producer is really thick skin, even thicker than an actor. Also, you have to put effort and love behind something that might never see the light of day, right? You might spend years working on something and it may not produce anything, or it may not come anything out of it. So, you’ve got to love the process. If you’re just looking for the end outcomes, then it’s not something that is for you.
If you could give a piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?
Enjoy the crazy shit that’s happening to you a little bit more.
I come from a very grounded, humble family, and I think I feared getting carried away so much that I didn’t fully absorb the crazy, exciting, fun things that were happening – I didn’t fully enjoy and appreciate it in the moment as much. I wish I had more awe and wonderment at the exciting stuff that was happening.
And what does it mean to you to feel comfortable in your own skin?
I think it’s when I’m at peace. When I feel really confident in myself, in my values, and I’m not looking for external validation, that’s when I feel most comfortable in myself.
And what was your greatest act of rebellion?
I think becoming an actor. That’s my greatest act of rebellion. My second is having a platform, not shying away from it, from advocating for the things that I care about and I believe in, no matter what the consequences of that may be.
Your biggest fear?
Disappointing my parents.
You live in London now, but I guess you travel a lot…
Yes. I grew up in Oxford, but London is my home and I’m a London girl. I think this is the best city in the world. It really upsets me that I feel like the outside world has such racist people who want to “berate” London. No, the people that live in London are very happy in London. I hope to live here for the rest of my life. But yes, I travel and I’ve travelled quite a lot in my life.
So, what would you say is “home” to you?
Home is where my family is, no matter the town. You know, I’ve thought about this a lot – I think being an immigrant and, from a young age, moving around a lot, I didn’t have a childhood home or a childhood bedroom or anything like that. I moved so much that I don’t associate home with a location or a piece of land. To me, it is where my family is.
Of course. And what is your happy place?
My happy place is with my baby cousins or my nephew and niece. When my nieces are cuddled up with me, when I’m playing with them or when we’re watching a movie together and they’re just resting on me. I cannot think of a feeling that is better than that. It is truly heaven.
Photos & Video by Johnny Carrano.
Makeup by Kenneth Soh.
Hair by Lisa Laudat @ The Wall Group using Hair by Sam McKnight.
Styling by Alizé Demange @ The Arch Agency.
Thanks to Narrative Pr.
LOOK 1
Dress: AIBRYD
Shoes: Dear Francis
Ring: The Diamond Store
Earrings: The Diamond Store
Bangle: Rixo
LOOK 2
Bra: Fruity Booty
Top & Skirt: EASTEAM
Earrings: The Diamond Store
LOOK 3
Crochet top & shorts: ONATERI
Shoes: KALDA
Earrings: The Diamond Store
LOOK 4
Dress: Galvan
Shoes: KALDA
Earrings: Rixo
What do you think?