THE IT FACTOR

After snagging a coveted role in season four of Bridgerton, rising Hong Kong actress Isabella Wei continues her remarkable ascent—but this is just the beginning

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Isabella Wei's journey from curious teenager to international screen presence reads like a modern fairy tale. With the support of Tatler Asia's Most Influential honouree Lindsey McAlister—founder of the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation, a performing arts initiative for young people that Wei first joined as a dancer—Wei auditioned for a television role on a whim while still at secondary school. Just months later, she was in Berlin, filming what would become 1899 (2022), a Netflix mystery thriller set in the 19th century.

In the series, Wei portrayed Ling Yi, a 17-year-old from Hong Kong who is trafficked as a comfort woman disguised as a geisha. The breakout role showcased her ability to handle complex, hard-hitting material despite her youth and lack of professional experience.

Following the success of 1899, the 21-year-old London-based actor secured roles in The Crow remake (2024) alongside Bill Skarsgård and FKA Twigs, where she played Zadie, the protagonist's loyal but doomed best friend; and Netflix's Keira Knightley vehicle Black Doves (2024), as a skilled assassin. Wei ended 2024 on another high: she was cast in the upcoming fourth season of the cult-classic period drama Bridgerton.