Jenny Raven is a Chinese-British actress born in Hong Kong, best known for her roles as Irina Wong in the feature film remake of *Flatliners* and Sasha Dixon in *Designated Survivor*. Another notable performance was in 2017, when she played Jasmine in “Arkangel,” an episode from Season 4 of the TV series *Black Mirror*.
Raven was born and raised in Hong Kong, where she trained in acting and classical ballet. She later moved to Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelor of Science degree. She made her film debut in the Cantonese-language Hong Kong film *Men Suddenly in Black* in 2003. After relocating to Toronto and completing her education, Raven landed the main role of Margo Dubois in the children’s comedy TV series *Majority Rules!*, which aired for 26 episodes from 2009 to 2011. Additionally, she worked alongside Juno Temple and Rhys Ifans in the indie drama-comedy *Len and Company*, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2015.
We had the opportunity to speak with Jenny about her career and aspirations.
Dear Jenny, Thanks for taking the time to speak with us. Your journey as an actress began in Hong Kong. Can you share how growing up there and training in acting and classical ballet influenced your approach to performing?
It’s a pleasure to chat with you! Growing up in Hong Kong, I often thought “when I get out of here, then my life will start.” I remember feelings so far away from the rest of the world. But now, as an adult, I look back on my childhood and teen years and can see how special and lucky I was to grow up where I did. Have you been to Hong Kong? It is one of the most magical cities in the world. I miss it every day. I spent a lot of time at my grandfather’s rice shop in Western District and helping my mum with her jewelry business. I got to meet and see people from all walks of life and I became really curious about who they were and what their story was. My imagination would fill in the details. My mother is Chinese and she instilled in me from a very young age a strong work ethic and encouraged me to have a diverse skillset – I was in Cantonese, Mandarin, German, French, Ballet, Pottery, Chinese calligraphy, tennis, gymnastics, wood working classes and many other unexpected things from the age of 5 and up – she wanted me to find what I was good at. She wanted me to be excellent. All this led me to the realization that I loved performance, and soon I was in ballet class twice a week with a side of tap dancing. I learned to work hard and to be dedicated to my craft. Unfortunately for me, I also learned that I was never going to be a prima ballerina, but the seed had been planted – I knew I had to spend my life in the performing arts. I was introduced to acting in primary school and my very first role was as a sausage in a frying pan that goes Bang! What a life to be dedicated to. Pretend! I was hooked.
Your first on-screen appearance was in the Hong Kong film Men Suddenly in Black in 2003. What do you remember most about that experience, and how did it shape your decision to pursue acting as a career?
This was my first on-screen appearance as well as my first professional audition. I had to do the role entirely in Cantonese (thank you Mum! You were right about being bilingual). I remember going to the audition with my friend Ashley; she got to sit in the audition room with me as I acted out the scene. 30 minutes later on the MTR, I got the job offer! This set me up to think I’d book every audition. But I know better now – that this is not how it goes. At the actual shoot, I was so excited to be working with the legend Eric Tsang (of Infernal Affairs fame.) He was the star of countless TV shows and the host of the Miss Hong Kong Pageants that I was obsessed with watching. He was super lovely, and I just had the best time on set. I felt like I was part of a family creating something,g and that gave me a sense of purpose I hadn’t experienced before.
After moving to Toronto and graduating from the University of Toronto, you landed a main role in Majority Rules! How did this transition from Hong Kong to North America impact your career and personal growth as an artist?
I experienced intense culture shock when I first moved to Toronto. I was 17, I had a British accent, and I had to be fully responsible for myself for the first time in my life. I gained 20 pounds in my first 3 months of living here. Winter sucked. But I slowly began to, step by step, learn how to take care of myself. It took me 5 years to find an agent, find the right acting classes, and find my community before I booked Majority Rules! It was a really lonely period in my life, but I proved to myself that I was resilient and that I could do the hard thing.
You’ve worked in a variety of genres, from children’s comedy in Majority Rules! to darker narratives like Black Mirror and Flatliners. How do you adapt to such diverse roles, and do you have a preference for any particular genre?
I am a fan of film and TV, and I truly love all genres. I grew up watching Hong Kong cable shows like Justice Pao and independent Asian cinema on tv, and then the bigger budget American stuff at the cinema. I was exposed to British comedies like Black Adder, Fawlty Towers, and Allo Allo at school. I have a taste for it all and have always wanted to act in all of them. The challenges are different depending on the genre. I honestly couldn’t say if I have a preference for one over another – each genre acts as a palate cleanser for the other. I want to always be moving between the different styles of story narratives. My approach doesn’t necessarily change, I like to feel out the vibe of the project and collaborate with the other creatives and go from there.
Can you tell us about any upcoming projects you’re working on and what audiences can look forward to seeing from you in the near future?
Audiences can currently see me in My Dead Mom, a comedy series on Crave. I was just nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for my work on this project. My latest horror short film, Cockroach, will soon begin its festival run, which I’m very excited about. Additionally, I’m thrilled to be involved in an upcoming feature film shooting in Greece, a darkly comedic drama that explores relationships and self-discovery set at a couple’s retreat. Finally, I am currently developing a pilot alongside my writing partner—a life drama series we feel passionately about and can’t wait to share.
Your roles as Sasha Dixon in Designated Survivor and Irina Wong in Flatliners gained substantial attention. How do you reflect on these performances and their impact on your career?
These projects were so exciting for me because I got to work with incredible creatives in both. I booked these jobs at a time in my life when I was going through a divorce. I’m really proud of the work I did in them. I had the opportunity to use my comedic chops as Sasha Dixon in Designated Survivor and playing Irina Wong on Flatliners, I got to explore darker parts of myself. Bouncing between these different characters was artistically satisfying and opened the doors to genres that I hadn’t previously been associated with.
As an artist who has worked across continents, what have been some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced in navigating different entertainment industries, and how have you overcome them?
I would say that different countries have their own distinct engine and rhythm with how things are done and run. Spoken language being a big part of it. I grew up speaking Cantonese but can’t read Cantonese, so at my audition for Men Suddenly in Black, I asked the casting assistant to read the dialogue out loud, so I could write out the ping yum translations. No way was I going to let something like not being able to read stop me from auditioning. Any challenge that I have encountered across the different industries, I have always been met with kindness and support from exactly the right people.
The entertainment industry can be demanding and unpredictable. How do you stay motivated and continue to push boundaries as an actress?
Staying motivated in this unpredictable industry can be challenging. One of my teachers once said an acting career is largely defined by the time between jobs—how you sustain yourself creatively and emotionally during those periods. I’ve consciously cultivated routines to stay mentally and physically healthy. I take an acting class that specializes in movement psychology and character analysis, called Character Creation. It deeply satisfies both my creative instincts and physical expression. I also practice yoga, cook and bake healthy treats, and spend quality time with my 14-year old cockapoo, named Schumi. I named him after the greatest Formula One driver of all time, Michael Schumacher.
Looking ahead, are there any particular roles, genres, or collaborations that you’re eager to explore in your career?
Honestly, I’m eager to explore every type of role and genre out there. I want to do it all! But if I’m dreaming out loud, I’d start with Mike White. I want to play a role in his next season of The White Lotus. I’d also love to collaborate with Stephen Graham and Philip Barantini, whose work on Boiling Point (film) and Adolescence (Netflix) was so inspiring. I’d love to be involved in a television or film production that has a built-in rehearsal process that culminates in a “oner.” Oh, and R. Scott Gemmill and Noah Wyle! Their current HBO Max series, The Pitt, blew me away. There is so much to be inspired by right now.
With your unique background and experiences, what legacy or message do you hope to leave behind in the world of film and television?
I haven’t thought too much about legacy. My message would be if you are lucky enough to discover what your soul’s passion is, go in that direction and welcome the journey it takes you on. And be kind to everyone and thing you meet.
Instagram – @jennyraven_
Photo credit – Dane Clark
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