#oouil nate

[thepermanentrainpress]

THE PERMANENT RAIN PRESS INTERVIEW WITH DORALYNN MUI

Doralynn Mui didn’t view acting as a probable career path in her youth, but she’s making good use of her time now – gaining knowledge both in front of the camera and behind it along the way. After guest spots on shows like Riverdale, The 100, and Kung Fu, the Chinese-Canadian actress finds herself entangled in murderous mystery as Fiona on One of Us Is Lying.

We spoke with Mui about her journey in the arts, growing up in Vancouver, and more.

You have been acting since a young age, dating back to elementary school plays. Did you always see yourself pursuing a career in the arts, and can you describe the feeling you get when you perform?

I did have secret hopes of becoming a pop star (I’m partially kidding?), but I honestly didn’t know that acting was a real, attainable career until much later in life. I remember the first time I acted in a play in Grade 7, there was this buzzy feeling right before stepping onto the stage, and then on stage I sort of lost myself in the moment. I had maybe two lines in that whole play. I crave that feeling when you’re locked into the moment, and so open and present with your scene partner and the story that you lose track of everything else.

Viewers can now see you as Fiona in Peacock murder-mystery series One of Us Is Lying. What did you enjoy most about this role, and what challenged you in playing her?

I love Fiona. She's so messy and insecure, and at the core of it all, she just wants to be loved! I had so much fun exploring everything that goes on in her brain.

During prep, I actually clued in from the makeup and wardrobe tests that she was going to be a bit edgier than I imagined her to be when we shot the pilot episode. I was honestly a bit intimidated about portraying Fiona's constructed "cool girl" persona, while also tying that in with other elements of her character (AKA being an outsider). It was challenging to find the right balance in making her a believable, rounded person.

What excited you about the story this season?

I was so excited about all the action that was packed into this season, they really turned it up a notch! Personally I got to learn how to drive a little motorized dinghy, which was surprisingly scary and fun at the same time.

Aside from Fiona, who is your favorite character and why?

Oof, that one's an impossible question to answer. I love all the characters so much and it would kill me to pick one!

You shared many scenes opposite Cooper van Grootel (as Nate). How was he as a scene partner, and did you discuss your characters' relationship?

How lucky I am to work with Cooper! He’s such a generous and curious person as an actor and human being, it was genuinely a lot of fun. We discussed our characters’ relationship a lot before we started shooting, because we really wanted to be specific about what drew them together. We also brainstormed some ship names (I vote for #fate). During shooting it was great to bounce ideas off each other without judgement, and discover the journey together.

The series was filmed in New Zealand. Did you have the opportunity to sightsee with your castmates on downtime?

Yes! New Zealand is gorgeous, and they’re very protective of their ecosystem so we were extremely lucky to be able to explore the volcanoes, beaches and forests. The first free weekend, I hiked with Zenia [Marshall] and Karim [Diane] up Rangitoto, which is their youngest volcano. Climbing into their lava cave was surreal. We almost didn’t go in because the opening looked so tiny and terrifying, but thankfully some kid shamed us into going in, and it was unforgettable.

I also loved getting to learn about Maori culture in Rotorua and walking around Piha Beach; it was so beautiful. My absolute favourite spot was actually Devonport Village, which isn’t really a tourist destination, but it had the cutest op shops (Kiwi-speak for "thrift stores"), ice cream on every corner, and the best ever CARROT CAKE. I’m still dreaming about it. I feel like I’m writing a travel blog for New Zealand, but anyway, those are my highlights!

You have had guest roles in shows like Riverdale, The 100, and Deadly Class. What did you take away from working on these more high-profile shows?

All the experiences I’ve had make me really appreciate all the moving parts that go into getting a show made. Everyone has their own role and expertise, and you really notice how collaborative the whole process is. As an actor you have to show up and be prepared, but also be flexible enough to roll with the punches. I love watching experienced actors who have been doing this for so long that they have this sense of ease, and are able to try something new on each take. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't, but they really don't sweat it.

Did you ever face any challenges as a POC in the industry, and if so, how were you able to overcome them?

I would say, especially as an Asian-Canadian, I’m more aware of how POC can get sidelined in stories or neglected in terms of character development. I’m encouraged because I’m starting to see more effort being made to include Asian voices and characters on screen, but I would love to see more representation in the writers’ room, or in producing and directing positions. A lot of times when there is a lack of representation in those roles, our stories can be easily forgotten or misunderstood.

Personally, I'm grateful for every opportunity that I have and try to make the most of each role. For every character I play, I do my best to create an inner world and fill in the lines of their story, even if it's not something that gets to be explored on screen.

Who are some actors you are influenced/inspired by?

I’ve never met her, but I would love to work with Sandra Oh one day because she’s a fellow Canadian-Asian actress who seems genuinely down to earth and just hilarious. I love how varied her career has been so far. Cillian Murphy’s character work is so interesting to me, and I’m always in awe of the work that Jodie Comer, Florence Pugh and Emma Stone do.

You grew up in Vancouver. What are your favorite places to visit - and restaurants to eat at - in or around the city?

I feel like I’m the wrong person to ask for exciting recommendations because all I want to do when I’m home is lounge around at my familiar places. My perfect day would be digging through thrift stores on Main Street or in New West, getting hot pot at Gokudo Shabu Shabu or Boiling Point, then getting chocolate, tea or ice cream at Teapressu, Shiny Tea, Purdys or Earnest Ice Cream. Maybe getting bubble waffles at Crystal Mall after that. There’s also a person in North Van who runs a clothing swap out of her basement – it’s a magical place for me. Ooh! And getting giant bags of fruit for a dollar in Chinatown. I always get a thrill out of that.

What is up next for you?

I’m working on a couple of guest spots on CBS and Hulu shows – I’m not sure what I’m allowed to give away, but I’m very excited about them! I’m workshopping a couple of indie projects with some friends, and slowly doing some writing of my own. I’m also going to continue purging my closet, tending to my plants, and learning how to do a body roll.

If you could be any ice cream flavor, which would you be and why?

I love this question because if you haven’t noticed, ice cream is one of my first loves on this planet! My dad always says I'm like a ball of fluffy cotton candy with spikes hidden underneath – as in, I can seem soft and bubbly on the outside, but I can be pretty feisty if you try to test me. So, if I could translate this into a flavour, maybe… cotton candy mixed with popping candies. Is that a flavour? I'm sure it is somewhere!

My alternative answer is chocolate. If you are what you eat, I think I'm made up of 90% chocolate.

-

Thanks to Doralynn for taking the time to answer our questions! We can’t wait to watch the second season of One of Us Is Lying, premiering in Canada on Thurs, Jan 19th at 9pm e/p on W Network. In other regions, it is out now on Peacock and Netflix (international).

Keep updated with Doralynn on Instagram and IMDb. 

Photo credit (headshot) to: Jenna Berman

[sbd-laytall]

One Of Us Is Lying | 1.07 | "One Of Us Is Not Giving Up"

Shameless | 1.10 | "Nana Gallagher Had An Affair"

Grey's Anatomy | 15.25 | "Jump Into The Fog"

[erenfox]

guess who just speedran through A Good Girl's Guide to Murder and One of Us is Lying, and now is gonna hyperfixate over pipravi, natewyn, addy mf prentiss as a whole, and ashton x eli (what's their ship name???) 😍😍😍

[felicitykings]

NATE MACAULEY & BRONWYN ROJAS

ONE OF US IS LYING (2021-2022) ↳ 2.05 Simon Says Ho Ho Ho!

[duckthevillain]

Started "one of us is back" for the mistery. Did not expect to be giggling and kicking my feet at every domestic moment

[glitterandgoldrush]

A: Kris, Bronwyn, Maeve, Addy, Knox

B; Cooper, Nate, Luis, Keely, Phoebe

[lanesclub]

I’m so sad that I entered in the oouil era in 2024 because the series was released in 2021 and now I’m obsessed with Bronwyn and Nate alone :(

[jackchampioncumpit]

Cooper Van Grootel as Young Jesse in One True Loves (2023).

[good-ol-lisa]

A little look at Bayview Crew's instagram pages one month after the events of oouib

[lueurichor]

The One of Us is Lying Series | Relationships

Nate Macauley & Bronwyn Rojas

« We’re endgame. It means that we’ll wind up together eventually. It might take a year for us to sort everything out, or two, or ten. Whatever. But it’ll happen. »

[writerkmc]

bronwyn: what are you doing?

nate: *closes bayview four, bronwyn x nate, slowburn, acquaintances to lovers, mutual pining, hurt/comfort, angst with a happy ending fic*

nate: nothing

[natewynoou]

Addy: Word association, go! Holidays.

Nate: Bronwyn!

Addy....pft...

Nate: shut up!!!

[allofmytoxicity]

(as well as an intro from me!!)

And if you don't go any further than this, please click this link as it leads to a page where you can find a go fund me to get Dr. Farhat's family out of Gaza.

Hi lovelies!

My name is Rachel, but I'm mainly called Raquel, especially by my friends. I'm a Holly Humberstone and Benson Boone fan and I enjoy reading and art, and I hope that if you read any of my works, you'll enjoy it.

Not sure of what to request but want to? Here are some prompt lists:

Kissing

'I Love You'

Fluff

Masterlists

NCIS Masterlist

Criminal Minds Masterlist

The Inheritance Games Masterlist

Marauders Era Masterlist

MacGyver (2016) Masterlist

Top Gun: Maverick Masterlist

White Collar Masterlist

One of Us Is Lying Masterlist

Read this to find out who I write for, and requests are open!

[sbd-laytall]

One Of Us Is Lying | 1.04 | "One Of Us Is Famous"

[felicitykings]

I can't hear you. I love you. I fucking love you.

ONE OF US IS LYING (2021-2022) ↳ 2.05 Simon Says Ho Ho Ho!

[maeverojaskinnie]

Oou Characters' favourite tv shows

(this is based solely on vibes)

Addy: She-ra and the princesses of power

Bronwyn: Gilmore Girls

Cooper: Yellowjackets

Nate: Some underground show nobody has ever heard of before

Maeve: Criminal Minds

Knox: The Last of Us

Phoebe: Pretty Little Liars

Kris: Breaking Bad

Luis: The Bear

Keely: The Vampire Diaries

Vanessa: Euphoria