Up close with rising Hong Kong actress and ‘Bridgerton’ season four star Isabella Wei
Isabella Wei’s journey from curious teenager to international screen presence reads like a modern fairy tale. With the support of Tatler Asia’s Most Influential honouree Lindsey McAlister—founder of the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation, a performing arts initiative for young people that Wei first joined as a dancer—Wei auditioned for a television role on a whim while still at secondary school. Just months later, she was in Berlin, filming what would become 1899 (2022), a Netflix mystery thriller set in the 19th century.
In the series, Wei portrayed Ling Yi, a 17-year-old from Hong Kong who is trafficked as a comfort woman disguised as a geisha. The breakout role showcased her ability to handle complex, hard-hitting material despite her youth and lack of professional experience.
Following the success of 1899, the 21-year-old London-based actor secured roles in The Crow remake (2024) alongside Bill Skarsgård and FKA Twigs, where she played Zadie, the protagonist’s loyal but doomed best friend; and Netflix’s Keira Knightley vehicleBlack Doves (2024), as a skilled assassin. Wei ended 2024 on another high: she was cast in the upcoming fourth season of the cult-classic period drama Bridgerton.
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Isabella Wei in Erdem outfit
For Wei, this personal milestone is also a stride towards greater Asian representation in the western entertainment industry. “It’s an honour to be part of a show that celebrates such authentic diversity, where characters are recognised for who they are, not only where they come from or how they look,” Wei tells Tatler. “It shows me that there is a bright future for Asian actresses in the international scene.”
In the beloved Netflix series from Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland, Wei plays Posy Li, the youngest daughter of the Penwoods—a new family whose maidservant, Sophie Beckett, and her affair with Benedict Bridgerton drive the season. “Posy Li is a little unpolished in the eyes of her mother and sister but she has this beautifully sunny disposition and never lets negativity affect her,” Wei says. “I think I relate to her in that way—both Posy and I are optimists, and I always try to see the good in everyone I meet.”
Isabella Wei in Fendi dress and Jimmy Choo heels
Isabella Wei in Róisín Pierce outfit
This optimism marks a big departure from Wei’s previous roles. “Getting to explore the comedy in this role was quite a fun challenge,” she says. “Before Bridgerton, my characters were often intense and dramatic—either I’m running away from something, being chased or crying. It was a lot of fun to do something totally opposite, and it was definitely a challenge to find Posy’s comedic voice without sacrificing her vulnerability and honesty.”
The actress juggled filming for Bridgerton, which began in September, alongside two other major projects in 2024, reflecting a maturity beyond her years. “I think I found it more interesting to observe than difficult, because how often do you get to live multiple lives in one year?” she muses. “Funnily enough, I think it helped me feel more grounded and appreciative of my personal life.”
Isabella Wei in Gucci dress, necklace and bracelet
Isabella Wei in Valentino outfit and bag
Wei’s quick rise, however, has not been all smooth sailing. Her biggest lesson: “I’ve learnt not to sacrifice who I am outside of work for who I am on set. When I first started acting, I felt a lot of impostor syndrome and was eager to please. I’ve come to realise how much fun you can have once you are your most authentic self.”
Filming for Bridgerton ended in June—the season is set for release next year—and Wei is making plans for what she hopes will come next. “I would love to play a villain,” she says. “It would be so exciting to explore that kind of intensity, especially as a stark contrast to Posy and equally to my previous roles. I’ve also always loved musicals, so being in that space is a massive dream of mine."
Isabella Wei in Loewe outfit
Isabella Wei in David Koma dress, Christian Louboutin heels and Dinosaur Design bangles
Her upcoming projects include one that will incorporate dance—“a passion of mine that I have been so looking forward to pairing with acting”—and she eagerly anticipates reuniting with her “Penwood family” for the season’s promotional tour.
As for aspiring Asian actors hoping to follow in her footsteps, Wei’s advice is refreshingly practical: “Keep auditioning. It’s tough to feel you’re constantly taping and never booking, but the more you audition, the more your repertoire builds for different characters. It’s great acting practice, regardless of whether you’re shooting or not.”
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Credits
Photography: Stew Bryden
Styling: Ignacio de Tiedra
Hair: Dayaruci at The Wall Group
Make-Up: Francesca Brazza at The Wall Group
Production: Jack So and Nancy Ngobese at Aalto
Talent: Isabella Wei
Photo Assistant: Ollie Avis
Styling Assistant: Wonder Lisungi
Production Assistant: Sina Oguntimehin