KICKING OFF

A fantastic action star who has dramatic prowess and comic timing too? JUSTIN CHIEN is all of this and more. Which is why Ambika Muttoo had to speak to him post his unforgettable TV show debut

- Ambika Muttoo

The opening scene of The Brothers Sun – the Netflix series that recently threw the internet into a loop – is astonishing. The camera pans to a sleek highrise in Taipei. I can dream, can’t I by Ruth Brown plays in the background. We’re in what looks like the penthouse belonging to one Charles “Chairleg” Sun, played by Justin Chien, as he roams his kitchen in an apron, cutting strawberries, whisking cream, and piping a cake. Sinewy forearms in frame. Something’s up. But what? Providing a foil to this domesticity, an elevator opens outside to menacing, masked… intruders? It’s not implicit yet, but where else could they be going? Just as you realise what’s about to happen, so does Charles.

What follows is the most devastating, visceral, beautifully-choreographed fight scene, which explodes onto screen with Chairleg as the target and centre. When he’s done despatching the assassins, and you find a moment to catch your breath, you realise not one word has been spoken yet. There’s only the sound of The Great British Bake Off on the TV in the background, and grunts, screams and death rattles. You also realise the camera focuses on Chairleg’s face only when the carnage is over – as he opens his oven. To his chagrin, his cake’s burned, but the real heat’s simmering in his expression. Justin Chien… Damn. Where have you been?