British actress Charithra Chandran says things are not moving forward in terms of South Asian representation after landing a role in Bridgerton, talking at her first ever visit to the UAE as part of the Middle East Film & Comic Con in Abu Dhabi.
During a question about whether the industry had really evolved since the second season of Bridgerton came out in 2022, Chandran was very direct that there has been no continuation of the momentum that existed when she rose to fame.
And the progress globally in terms of inclusion has been slipping in several areas rather than growing. She talked about how the time around the show’s release felt like an unusually hopeful period for South Asian representation on screen, even as she admitted that her answer was not the one that everyone expected.
The 29-year-old, who played Edwina Sharma in the Netflix period drama, was in Abu Dhabi for the first time and also making her debut appearance at a comic convention.
She described the reception in the capital as warm and welcoming, calling it a valuable opportunity to connect with fans in person.
Chandran also discussed her shift from Bridgerton’s Regency setting to the fantasy world of One Piece, where she plays Nefertari Vivi in Netflix’s live-action adaptation.
She said the move reflected a deliberate desire to avoid being typecast, adding that she had known little about the sprawling manga franchise before joining the cast but has since become deeply immersed in its universe, even filling her home with related memorabilia.
The actress addressed backlash that followed her casting announcement, saying she remained confident critics would come around once they watched her performance — a shift she said has since happened, with fan reaction turning largely supportive.
She credited manga creator Eiichiro Oda’s close involvement in the series for giving her confidence in taking on the role, noting the production’s emphasis on staying faithful to his original vision.
Looking ahead, Chandran teased the show’s upcoming Alabasta storyline as a bigger, bolder chapter. She also argued that hosting fan conventions like MEFCC outside North America and Europe helps demonstrate untapped audience demand to producers, potentially encouraging more diverse casting and storytelling in future productions. UAE Interact
