EXCLUSIVE | 'Marvel's Helstrom': Alain Uy talks about the show's origin story for Chris Yen and hopes for Season 2
Marvel's latest live-action television series has gone and explored new territory as it dives into the supernatural. Adapting the Son of Satan character from Marvel Comics, Hulu has weaved a tale of demons, exorcism, Hellfire but somehow above all, family. MEAWW spoke to Alain Uy, who plays Chris Yen on the series, about his character, his experience on the show, and what it's like to become a part of the Marvel Universe.
For fans who don't know Chris Yen, what can you tell us about him?
Chris Yen is a self-made man. He grew up through the foster care system in San Francisco. That's where he met his best friend, his confidant, his partner in crime - Ana Helstrom. Having grown up through the system, he experienced a lot of challenges, trauma, and abuse. Now years removed from those challenges, we find Chris, in his well-tailored suits, as the co-owner of a flourishing auction house that deals with antiquities. Ana and Chris both run the business together. They also do a little side hustle – killing people who they feel are unredeemable pieces of sh*t. Pardon my language!
Before going into the show, what were your feelings about the supernatural side of the Marvel Universe?
When I was younger, I was a voracious consumer of all things comic books, but I never really got into the supernatural side of the Marvel Universe. I was more into Wolverine, the X-Men, and other mutants. My older brother was really into Ghostrider and Blade... so every so often I would read some of his comics, but I never got into it.
Marvel's supernatural side is relatively unexplored – is that something you're hoping to see more of in the future?
Absolutely! I think the supernatural side of Marvel is rich with story, character, and mythology. I think it would be worth exploring and investigating. I also think that fans of this particular genre of television/film might be yearning for a little spice in their life. I'm excited for what's to come.
Helstrom feels both a deep dive into comics while also completely reimagining the characters - also creating new ones, like yours. It feels like it's not bound by the comics it takes its inspiration from - did it feel, while shooting, that the goal was to make something entirely new from the source material?
I think it's important to make sure that the show carried the same ethos as the source material. Was the goal to make it something entirely new? I think the goal was to make something that was grounded and that was of this world. I think it was a creative choice to deviate from the source material while maintaining the mythology. And I think they did a fantastic job balancing the two out. Ultimately, it's about the story and the emotional beats that each character lives out.
Considering the fact that your character exists was created just for the show, how do you feel about the idea of Chris Yen possibly appearing in the comics - drawn in your likeness?
Omg... what a treat that would be! I think that would be the most flattering thing ever. Wait.. are you breaking some news to me? Are they writing Chris Yen in?! Don't tease me like that!
Ana's most significant relationship in terms of the show is the one with her family, but her closest one seems to be with Yen. Can you tell us about how you and Sydney Lemmon worked on building your characters' unique dynamic?
Honestly, I don't think you can consider what we did as "work". We really didn't have to "work" on building our characters’ unique dynamic. From the minute I met Sydney, we clicked. So, the dynamic, I suppose, organically developed in that way. But we did spend some time before we shot a single frame of the show talking over coffee, eating sushi, going to the cinema to watch movies, driving around town - sharing stories about love, life, and just vibing on the same frequency. Sydney is such an unbelievable talent and it was just such a joy to have been able to spend time with such a beautiful human being.
By the end of the series, Yen becomes the new Keeper. We didn't get a lot of time to explore what that means in Season 1, how are you hoping that aspect of his life will be explored in a potential Season 2?
I think Season 1, in some ways, is the origin story for Yen. Of course, I still think the acerbic nature of Yen will still be there. But I hope we get a chance to go deeper into the mythology of this world they live in. There's sooooo much to dig into that, and I just hope that we get a chance to do it. It would be so much fun to dive deeper into the world.
Out of all the cast members you've worked with, who do you think is the most undeniably wicked?
The Keeper Skull. Easy question. I mean, I did spend more time working with that damn skull than any of my castmates. Hahahaha. But I’ll tell you what, Tom has a wicked sense of humor. I didn't get to work with him that much, but in the time we spent together off the set, he always had me laughing.
Are there any other projects that you're working on that you'd like to talk about?
I'm a lead in an indie action-comedy called 'The Paper Tigers' that just got picked up for distribution. We're super-excited about that. It's a story about three aging friends who are trying to avenge the death of their Kung-Fu Master. I can't wait for everyone to watch it!
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All episodes of 'Helstrom' Season 1 are now available to view on Hulu.