Gemma Chan - Asia's Newest Action Heroine

From crazy rich tai tai to blue-skinned tyrant, actress Gemma Chan speaks of superheroes, real strength and the conflicted identity she’s battled all her life.

- Trishna Goklani

Want to know what actress Gemma Chan’s superhero ability is? “I can fit a lot of Maltesers in my mouth,” she laughs. “I’m a big fan of chocolates.”

This is from someone more known for her statuesque beauty, clipped British accent and elegant poise. But that cheeky sense of humour simply adds to the appeal of Chan. Like her superhero costume of choice: “Dungarees,” she says gleefully. “And sneakers—I’m obsessed with them!”

We’re talking about superheroes because Chan’s taken on the role of Minnerva, a blue-skinned, sniper-toting Kree warrior of the Star Force in the next eagerly anticipated instalment in the Marvel universe, Captain Marvel. “She has an attitude and is pretty bad-ass, you wouldn’t want to mess with her,” says Chan, describing her character.

It’s a bit of a departure for the British-born beauty who’s sealed herself into our collective consciousness playing ultra-glamorous socialite Astrid Leong-Teo in 2018’s juggernaut Crazy Rich Asians. But then again, the last time she was seen onscreen, she was portraying Scottish noblewoman Bess of Hardwick in historical drama Mary Queen of Scots, so being typecast would seem to be the least of Chan’s worries.