Joining the cast of Netflix’s live-action One Piece in season two is Charithra Chandran in the role of Miss Wednesday. Longtime One Piece fans will know that Miss Wednesday holds an important secret and is a critical character in the world of the franchise… Something that proves true in the live-action as well. And so it was our pleasure to sit down with Charithra Chandran to discuss the journey of Miss Wednesday in One Piece season two, her relationships with Luffy and Nami, and Chandran’s own experiences on the set of the series. Check out our full, spoilery interview below!
Nerdist: It’s not easy to be the new kid on the pirate ship, but I think Miss Wednesday/Vivi’s journey on One Piece season two, from supposed enemy to friend to crewmate, is really natural and beautiful. What was it like building that dynamic with the rest of the cast?
Charithra Chandran: I think I’m a newbie to the cast, and my character is a newbie to the show. So I think I really… Anytime you can channel your personal experiences into the work is a bonus for me. It makes my life easier. And so I really channeled the new kid energy into the show. And so I think as my relationships with the cast developed, so did my character’s relationship with the Straw Hats. And so I think that’s why it feels so organic, because it in so many ways it was real.
A wonderful part of the One Piece live-action is how the characters are very familiar, but also very specific to this new adaptation. What do you think you bring uniquely to the role of Miss Wednesday in Vivi?
Charithra Chandran: I think that with any live-action, you can bring in different types of light and shade and nuance to a character. And I think that’s the joy of what I do is being able to bring, as you said, a new element to it. I also think that that’s really it. It’s just bringing a little bit different nuance that maybe live-action can capture that manga and anime can’t in the same way, given the mediums. I mean, manga and anime Vivi are amazing, and I hope people think the same of the live-action one.
Coming into One Piece season two, what struck you most about your character, and what do you want fans to take away from your portrayal of Miss Wednesday/Vivi?
Charithra Chandran: I think there are two things, which is that my character really struggles to trust people and let love in. And I think that there are so many people in this world that have the same issue. There are people that want to love them, but because of the circumstances of history, they struggle to feel that love. And I hope that my character’s journey can inspire other people in that way.
I also think an element of Vivi/Miss Wednesday is that she gets really inspired by the Straw Hats, their perseverance, and their unwillingness to ever give up. And that is really what drives her through. And so I would also love that for the fans to take on board, which is like, never give up. Even when the odds are not in your favor, you have a choice, which is either to give up or not to, and always pick the latter… [laughs] Unless it’s like a toxic relationship, in which case, give that up.
So much of that energy comes from Luffy on One Piece, and I really love Miss Wednesday/Vivi’s friendship with him in season two. How would you describe their relationship?
Charithra Chandran: I think that they are both two young people in leadership positions that are responsible for other people. And they have very different approaches to leadership, but I think they both learn from each other. And they’re like yin and yang and in the most harmonious, compatible way. And I think Luffy becomes Vivi’s best friend. I think she absolutely adores him. And I sort of think that really is mine and Kiki’s (Iñaki Godoy) relationship. I just absolutely adore him. We’re similar in so many ways, but we’re so different in so many ways, too.
I love that mirroring. Another relationship and friendship that I really loved on One Piece season two was between Miss Wednesday/Vivi and Nami. Of course, they’re both ladies and a crew that’s mostly men, but what do you think really bonds them?
Charithra Chandran: Well, I think it is that camaraderie between women. And we always talk about how women hype each other up in bathrooms and bars and clubs and stuff. And I really think, especially Nami to Vivi, that happens. And I think Emily does that for me in real life, too, another mirroring. She is the ultimate hype woman. We’re like older sister to younger sister. But with Miss Wednesday and Nami, it’s a little different; there’s an element that is a little sexy.
I’m going to say “cares for.” Nami takes care of Vivi. She takes care of Vivi.
Season two of live-action One Piece is now streaming on Netflix. You can read our full One Piece season two review here.
Rotem Rusak is the Editor-in-Chief of Nerdist. She’d like to join the Straw Hat Pirates herself.