Upcoming Netflix projects for Kim Adis will see her in Series 2 of Young Wallander, along with a future release of an undisclosed show, and she will be working on a short film with BBC. Since having her first TV role in Krypton, Kim has gone on to appear in shows such as Get Even as co-lead Kitty, which was released last year, played Lowre in the Apple TV series Foundation, and she was in the cast of feature film The Turning and portrays Clare Mahek in the interactive game The Complex, which also has a director’s cut. Talking with Kim, she tells us about filming for the upcoming Netflix series Young Wallander, playing Kitty in Get Even and working on The Complex.
You will be appearing in the upcoming series of Young Wallander, is there anything you can say about it and what was it like to film?
It was wonderful to be a part of the second season of Netflix’s Young Wallander. Unfortunately, I can’t give too many details away but all I can say is that she’s an integral part of how the mystery and crime unfolds in this series. There are many twists and turns and it was a dream to travel to Vilnius in Lithuania and shoot on location in the most stunning parts of this beautiful capital.
Who is your character Lowre in Foundation and what was she like to play?
Lowre is an engineer who is a part of Hari Seldon’s (played by Jared Harris) team called the Foundation. We are a group of encyclopedists that are exiled to an inhospitable planet called Terminus because of his math, called psychohistory – which basically means in simple terms he can predict the fall and wars of many worlds just by looking at a collective consciousness and their behaviours. We later find this gigantic thing called the Vault. Later on in the series you find out the mystery behind this and how we got there was for a bigger purpose. Auditioning for this role was secretive, I had no clue it was going to be this big epic series for Apple TV. I loved her scene about her pregnancy, the loss of freedom and the experience of womanhood being taken away to sacrifice for the greater good. I gave it all I got.
What was Clare Mahek like to film as for The Complex and how different did you find the experience playing her to your other roles?
It was a brilliant but challenging experience. We shot this indie project for around one month in Kent and one week in London. I gravitate to physically and emotionally demanding roles in order to explore the depths of human emotion. I researched the scientific elements to how Clare Mahek’s body would deteriorate and the psychological aspects of why she created chaos around her.
Can you say about the project and more about your character?
The Complex project is split into two – one is an interactive, choose-your-own-adventure type of game and the other is a director’s cut, now shown on platforms like Amazon and Apple TV. My character is shown to have nanocells in her body which, like a virus, can be deadly, so she’s stuck in the bioprotector. It was my home throughout filming! So some of the scenes were me motionless, therefore the focus was giving emotion just on the face behind the glass. Throughout the story, it delves deep into the machinations of each character including Clare’s actions and dismantling who’s right and who’s wrong.
Was there anything that drew you to the role of Kitty in Get Even and what was it like reading the script for the first time?
I actually read the sides for the audition whilst I was filming The Complex! I really liked her tenacity and her drive. I wished I saw characters like Kitty when I was younger. She’s a force to be reckoned with, flawed, but oh my how resilient she can be, which I identified with.
What was the series like to film and how was it seeing the viewers’ response when it was released last year?
We filmed for around three months near my neck of the woods – in Bolton and the city centre of Manchester. Filming in the Northern Quarter was quite surreal as I used to go there with my mates, with little money. It really came full circle in my head and it was a nice sunny day. Even learning fencing and doing my own stunts was so gratifying! The viewers’ response was amazing and quite overwhelming. To see many viewers from all walks of life who really enjoyed the series warms my heart. Whether it’s from a message or in real life, when they say they relate to one of the character’s stories, that’s when you know you’re doing the right thing and inspiring people in a bigger way than expected. What’s cool is that I’m still amazed at how me and the other girls are on the front cover of the books, some in different languages. I still have the signed copies from Gretchen McNeil in my home that I’ll treasure forever.
Do you have any favourite memories from your time playing Kitty?
Fencing was my favourite and the running. Oh I love a good Terminator hands moment!
You played Rose in The Turning, what was it like to be part of?
It was a learning experience and it was absolutely brilliant to be a part of a feature film alongside Mackenzie (Davis) and with a female director who’s truly inspiring with the way she holds herself. Floria (Sigismondi) taught me to be fearless and blunt to the point that if you know what you want, you get it.
Can you tell us about working on your episodes of Krypton as Anda?
Krypton holds a special place as it was my first ever TV gig! I met amazing people who I now call friends and, again, it was a learning curve. It was my first gateway into the world of Sci-Fi and being on super huge sets.
How was it working on short films After-Party and The Party Game?
I love working on short films. When I was living in Harrow, London, I was constantly looking for work, even if it was unpaid to build up my showreel and experience. Short films are just immense because you work with people who really care about what they do and there’s no ego. We just do it for the sake of filmmaking and telling unique stories. I’m currently attached for a short film funded by the BBC which I’m excited about and when I saw the treatment I just fell in love with the story. When you see there’s a heart beating in a project, you just want to dive right in.
Where does your love of acting come from and how did you start?
It originated from my family. We are a lively bunch – confident and self-assured. Then I started watching film and television. It was actually watching the first season of LOST and I thought to myself… I could be in this. I really enjoyed each character’s story. And so I googled online for auditions, just having the belief that I could be in it. Obviously I didn’t find a way, haha! But the hustle and curiosity never stopped and got me to a place where I am!
Do you have any favourite TV shows and films to watch?
Squid Game was awesome! I feel so happy Korean cinema is getting the recognition it deserves. Subtitles don’t affect my viewing. I say this all the time, to everyone, In The Mood For Love is one of the greatest films I ever watched, even with subtitles, I can still experience this film like it’s my first viewing.
How do you like to spend your time away from your career?
I love travelling so I do that in my spare time, even with my friends and family. I’m also an avid dancer so I train when I can now that I moved up North. And lots of breathwork and yoga! OH and food… Yeah, I’m a huge foodie so I love trying out new restaurants!
We understand you’ve been filming for a future release, what did you enjoy most about being on set and what can you tell us about it?
I can’t give too much away, unfortunately. Signed an NDA! However, it was lovely to work with everyone, from the cast and crew, I felt the support from everybody. Also, it was lovely to have two female directors shooting all episodes. There’s also plenty of prosthetic work and, like The Complex, I’m always in awe of how artists can transform your face just by using moulds/silicone. Hopefully that gives you a hint! It will be released on Netflix next year too! Keep your eyes peeled. You won’t want to miss this…
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