Amy Tsang, the talented Chinese-American actress known for her versatile roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Lucifer, has recently taken the Star Wars universe by storm. Best known for her role in The CW’s Kung Fu, Amy has now stepped into the shoes of Ensign Rane, an Acolyte witch, in the highly anticipated Disney+ series Star Wars: The Acolyte.
We caught up with Amy as she shares the exciting, and tumultuous, journey that led her to join one of the most beloved franchises in cinematic history. From overcoming personal grief to navigating the pressures of the industry, Amy’s path has been one of triumph, unexpected opportunities, and plenty of strong bonds along the way.
Join us as we sit down with the talented actress as she tells us what it was like to bring the magic of the witches of Brendok on screen.
From indie films to the Star Wars universe
Amy Tsang’s journey to landing the role as Ensign Rane in Disney+’s Star Wars: The Acolyte is a tale of perseverance, passion, and a sprinkling of luck. Before securing her part in the highly anticipated series, Amy had already made a name for with credits in popular shows such as Magnum P.I., Grey’s Anatomy, Shameless, and Lucifer, to name just a few. But it was her performance in the indie film Silent River that unexpectedly opened the door to the Star Wars universe.
“It all started with my friend Jeff King, the executive producer on the show,” Tsang tells Student Pages. “He watched an indie film that I co-led and was promoting at the time. He read the Acolyte script and thought I would be good for the character Ensign Rane. He reached out to me and asked if I’d like to audition. I sent in an audition tape, gave it my best shot, and three months later, I found out I got the role.”
For Amy, stepping into the Star Wars universe was marked with a blend of both excitement and disbelief. Reflecting on her journey, she recalls the ‘pinch-me’ moment she got the call.
“I never thought I would be part of the Star Wars universe,” says the actress. “I was so surprised that I even got an audition. The opportunity to audition in itself was amazing for me.”
Finding magic: behind the scenes of The Acolyte
Landing the role of Ensign Rane in The Acolyte allowed Amy to tap into her childhood fascination with the mystical and bring it to life in a galaxy far, far away. And it was this intrinsic connection to her character allowed Tsang to bring a unique depth to her performance.
“I’ve wanted to play a witch on screen ever since I was a kid,” she shares. “I loved the idea of casting spells and all the witch movies and TV shows. So, it was perfect. I had a lot to draw from in terms of the world of magic and what it means to be a witch.”
With her childhood dreams coming to fruition, working on The Acolyte also acted as a transformative experience for Amy, offering her the chance to collaborate with some of the industry’s finest talents.
“I had the best experience I could ever ask for,” says the Silent River actress. “I admired every actor that walked on set. They were all passionate about what they were doing, regardless of the size of their roles.”
But what makes Ensign Rane resonate with Amy?
“I think there are similarities between myself and Rane,” she tells us. “I’ve always been drawn to the idea of magic and the power it represents. Playing a witch was perfect for me because it felt like I was manifesting a part of my own personality into this incredible universe.”
Despite the enormity of the Star Wars legacy, Tsang approached the role with authenticity and dedication.
“I was lucky enough to know it was for Star Wars from the beginning, but the sides were very secretive,” Tsang recalls. “I got dummy sides for another character and just did my best to gauge what was on the page. I really showed my own personality in it and told the story that was written.”
Joining the Star Wars franchise is no small feat, but it was the people she collaborated with along the way that Tsang is most grateful for as she speaks about her experience on set.
“The environment was warm and collaborative, which started from the showrunner Leslie Headland. The producers and directors were not only geniuses in what they were doing, but they were also very kind people. It really gave me an idea of what I would want in a collaboration in the future,” Amy looks back fondly.
The series has brought a fresh perspective to the Star Wars universe, exploring uncharted territories and introducing new characters and dynamics, and it’s safe to say Amy’s character played a pivotal part in bringing the magic to life.
Speaking of the new direction, Amy told us, “There was a lot of freedom in creating my role because it wasn’t there before. It’s definitely going to be new for old Star Wars fans and [will appeal] to new fans as well.”
The road to acting
Before her rise to fame, Amy’s journey was marked by personal challenges and diverse interests. “I didn’t start off wanting to pursue acting,” reveals the actress. “I went to art school. I always wanted to be an artist.”
It was only when Amy’s life was marked by tragedy that her path took a dramatic turn.
“I started off wanting to go to art school in New York. That didn’t pan out because that year, I found out my mom had cancer. She didn’t tell me until I went back for a summer vacation and that really affected me in my decisions on how I go about deciding things for myself and my future.”
Her mother’s battle with cancer profoundly impacted Amy’s decisions about her future.
“My mom always encouraged me to pursue what I wanted. She put me into art classes, singing lessons, and drama school. When she passed away, it really affected me and how I went about deciding things for myself,” Amy reflects. “I took a gap year in Hong Kong, and during that time, I found comfort in films and TV. I felt seen and heard through the characters on screen and thought maybe that’s what I wanted to do – inspire and impact others through storytelling.”
This personal tragedy was not only a turning point in Tsang’s life but also solidified her decision to pursue a career in entertainment. Keeping a promise to her mother, Amy participated in the Miss Hong Kong pageant, a significant event in the Chinese community. “I did end up getting into the pageant, and I got a contract from the TV station hosting it. That’s how I got my start in the industry.”
Uncovering the complexities of film in Silent River
Silent River, a captivating suspense film available to watch on Amazon Prime, is a particular passion project for Amy Tsang – one that showcases her versatility and dedication to her craft.
Taking on the formidable task of playing a dual role while also serving as the costume designer, Amy looks back fondly at her involvement with the movie and the insights it gave her, not the complexities of filmmaking.
“It was an incredible experience. I learned so much by doing it. I was a tad overwhelmed because I had to do my roles and costume design. I have so much respect for costume designers and anyone behind the scenes.”
A significant part of Amy’s growth on Silent River came from the mentorship of director Christian Lee. Sharing her experiences on set, Amy tells us his guidance and willingness to share knowledge had a lasting impact on her.
“He taught me so much. He was so generous with answering my questions,” shares the actress. “It really opened up doors for me on what is possible for me in the future.”
Embracing challenges and triumphs
Acting, like any profession, comes with its own set of challenges – those pre-audition nerves being a key culprit. For Tsang, battling the pressures of auditions boils down to removing expectations and showing up as her true self.
“I used to try hard to fit myself into what I thought the casting director wanted,” she admits. “But now, I show up authentically as myself through these roles, bringing my own experiences and perspectives. This approach has made things more successful for me, and I get a lot more bookings from that.”
Emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle, Tsang stressed the importance of keeping a healthy mindset when navigating the ups and downs of a career in acting.
“It’s essential to have all aspects of your life balanced to have a long journey as an actor,” says The Acolyte actress. “Keeping a healthy mindset, making sure that everything in your life is balanced – mentally, emotionally, spiritually – is crucial.”
Despite the challenges, Amy finds immense joy and fulfilment in her work – something she never takes for granted in each and every role.
“What I love about being an actor is that I get to tell stories. Getting to experience other people’s realities and play in worlds that I’m not used to is such a privilege and so exciting. To actually reveal my truest self through these characters has been really rewarding.”
Looking ahead: what’s next for Amy Tsang?
With her role in The Acolyte garnering acclaim, Amy Tsang’s future is looking bright. Reflecting on her journey, Amy expresses a deep sense of gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead. Her passion for storytelling and her commitment to bringing authentic, diverse characters to life make her a standout in the industry.
Whether she’s portraying a witch in a galaxy far, far away or designing costumes for an indie film, Amy Tsang continues to captivate audiences with her talent, dedication, and unique perspective.
As Amy Tsang’s star continues to rise, one thing is clear: her journey is a testament to the power of passion, perseverance, and the magic of storytelling. With each role she takes on, Amy not only honours her late mother’s legacy but also inspires a new generation of actors and fans alike – and we can’t wait to see what she’ll star in next.
Author: Gabriella Wieland
Gabriella Wieland is a writer and English Literature graduate. She spends most of her time trying to keep her mini-poppadom obsession at bay and finding adventures of the ‘free’ variety. Residing in Manchester, she also spends much of her time liaising with scientists to find a geographical cure for eternally-grey skies and Vitamin D deficiency.
