'Warigami' star Emily Piggford hopes Season 2 explores her character Wendy deeper and takes her to Japan
The CW has a new action-fantasy series in its online library narrating the story of a pair of twins who are tasked with protecting a weapon of their ancestors, and if you haven't watched it already, now would be the time to add it to your list of must-watch shows.
'Warigami' is a perfect mix of samurai films and anime, giving viewers an opportunity to experience melodrama, "badassery" and fantasy in the same stretch of time.
As the show's star Emily Piggford summarizes, "Japanese ninja paper-power twins on a mission with their best friend against a bunch of baddies and it's funny... It's not so self-serious, but can also sneak-attack you with the feels."
During a conversation with MEA WorldWide (MEAWW), the actress shares how the success of the show, first in Canada and later in the United States, is a testament to the "delight, hard work and the best of intentions" that everyone who worked on the show put in.
"We wanted to make something that was a fun ride and visually stunning (special shoutout to cinematographer Vlad Horodinca and his team), that nods to classic samurai films and also anime," she says, adding, "We made the show to be enjoyed and it's great to gather that's the response so far."
Piggford's reaction to portraying the character of Wendy was certainly an emphatic yes. She recalls how she "actually groaned out loud" in the middle of a store in Vancouver" because she wanted it so badly.
And, why wouldn't she? in her own words, it's "An action-fantasy series with this ferocious young woman at the front and it's also a sibling story and a comedy and was calling for authentic Japanese casting. Plus ORIGAMI SUPERPOWERS!"
"I loved that Wendy was so serious and driven and I was excited to explore the dynamics between her and her long-lost brother, Vincent (Kai Bradbury)," shared Piggford.
"Wendy's character description painted a pretty clear picture, but when I read the audition sides I was actually a little thrown because I could see her going in three different directions," she reveals.
"It came down to the question of how aware of her abilities and personality was she, where did her ego sit?" she says, adding how it was a long journey to actually figure out everything about her.
Piggford hopes that based on the response for the show so far, the creators would be inspired to make new episodes, and when they do, the show explores Wendy's character in-depth, and hopefully also take Wendy and Vincent to Japan.
"I want to see Wendy and Vincent hone and flex their kamijin abilities," she says. "I want us to learn more about Mark’s past and also have even more opportunities for him to shine and become a hero in his own right. And I really want this connection between Wendy and Sadako to be explored further."
She also has quite a few questions that the future seasons will hopefully answer. Namely. "How will this unlikely squad manage in the world with this huge responsibility on their shoulders? What new alliances and rivalries will form within the group? What sort of mayhem will this magic ability get them into, or out of? How much longer can it be kept a secret? How will the ancient feud with the Akuma go, particularly on their home turf?"
We are certainly on Piggford's side. We need answers, but until we get them, we are happy to rewatch season one of 'Warigami' over and over again on The CW Seed.