Iron Fist: Jessica Henwick On Why She Almost Turned Down Her Role

It’s no secret that Iron Fist was surrounded by controversy and criticism during its debut on Netflix a week ago. One of the main praises in the show across the board, however, has been Jessica Henwick‘s portrayal of Colleen Wing, the dojo-owning, underground fight club martial artist.

Except even that role seemed like a tough sell to Henwick. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, the British actress admitted it wasn’t an easy task deciding to take the role.

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“It was a hard decision to make to join the show. Not because of the material or anything. But I’m part of the Asian community,” Henwick reflected. “I’m Asian. I’m an actor. If anyone understands the conversation, it’s me. I’ve lived and breathed it.”

Eventually, Henwick said it was the opportunity to play an Asian-American character that had a strong showing in the series that sealed the deal for her.

“When I came on to Iron Fist, it was really Colleen Wing that sold it for me. I thought it was a good opportunity to see a really strong female Asian American,” said Henwick. “She’s not a superhero; she’s just an ordinary person who has the guts to fight people with superpowers. Which I think is amazing!”

Henwick is set to reprise her role as Colleen Wing in The Defenders, which is slated to premiere on Netflix later this year. Other than team-up series featuring each of the main characters we’ve seen on the Netflix side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the futures of Danny Rand and Colleen Wing remain unclear as a second season of Iron Fist has yet to be announced.

In Marvel’s Iron Fist, fifteen years after being presumed dead in a plane crash, Danny Rand (Finn Jones) mysteriously returns to New York City determined to reclaim his birthright and family company. However, when a long-destined enemy rises in New York, this living weapon is forced to choose between his family’s legacy and his duties as the Iron Fist.

Based on the Marvel Comics character created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane, Marvel’s Iron Fist is developed by Scott Buck, who serves as the series showrunner. Iron Fist stars Finn Jones as Danny Rand, the Iron Fist, as well as Jessica Henwick, David Wenham, Jessica Stroup, Tom Pelphrey, and Rosario Dawson.

The series is the fourth Marvel Television show on Netflix, following Marvel’s Daredevil, Marvel’s Jessica Jones, and Marvel’s Luke Cage. Marvel’s Iron Fist will lead into Marvel’s The Defenders crossover miniseries, which will debut on Netflix later this year. The series sees Daredevil, Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, and Iron Fist teaming up, along with several allies from each series, to take on a threat to New York City no one of them could handle on their own.

All 13 episodes of the first season of Marvel’s Iron Fist are now available to stream on Netflix.

MORE IRON FIST NEWS: Finn Jones Reveals Surprising Fight Training Details / Stars Tease Surprise Villain / New Cast Poster / Will Iron Fist End Marvel And Netflix’s Hot Streak?

[H/T Entertainment Weekly]