DEADLINE:What details can you share regarding your process in bringing the Captain to life for the series?
HOA XUANDE:For me, it starts with the book.
When I first read it, I imbued within the lines.
Hoa Xuando as the Captain in ‘The Sympathizer’HBO
Now, were getting a Vietnamese perspective on how things went down and its very nuanced and complicated.
Once I figured that out, the lines were just layering on top.
HX:I love Fred and Duy dearly.
We continue to speak to one another.
Fred and I spent the first two weeks shooting together as we started with episode two.
The beginning bits of Episode Two are about us dealing with the trauma and the aftermath of the escape.
We looked out for each other being thrown into this massive project.
WDuy came in a little bit later into the project, like two months after we began shooting.
Fred and Duy were already good friends from Montreal, so that helped too.
I hope that all showed on screen.
DEADLINE: It really does come off on screen.
The casting of you three worked perfectly.
HX:We were just really generous with each other.
And I think through the story, its kind of heartbreaking because of the relationship between us.
It was a metaphorical illustration of how the people were split in terms of the conflict who were Vietnamese.
They all have different ideas and opinions, yet they still find a way to be friends.
HX:Thats it.
HX:Yeah, thats the thing.
Thats the dilemma of a lot of the characters in this show.
Especially with how we see them in episode one.
Theyre dragged into this war, and now theyre just having to do the best that they can.
I feel like thats a relatable theme, even in todays world.
DEADLINE: So, theres another book.
Are you interested in delving into this story further?
HX:Yeah, there is and hopefully we get to do it.
I would love to do more but well see what happens there.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
