As Sweet Tooth wraps up its final season on Netflix, Rosalind Chao, who portrays the formidable Mrs. Zhang, reflects on her character’s evolution and the challenges she faced. Introduced in Season 2 as part of The Three, Mrs. Zhang emerges as the last remaining warlord after General Abbot’s demise, driven by a relentless pursuit to restore order in a world ravaged by The Sick.
Chao, known for her poignant portrayal, discusses Mrs. Zhang’s complex motivations and her contentious relationship with hybrids, particularly Gus and his companions. She acknowledges the character’s polarizing nature, emphasizing the metaphorical depth the role provided:
“It’s a delight. When I first watched the show, I was so moved, I felt like this is why I act, to kind of bring enlightenment and a bigger way of seeing the world through the metaphor of Sweet Tooth. So, just the fact that I got to be on it is such an honor, even though everybody’s going to hate me after this. That’s okay, that means I’m doing my job.”
Mrs. Zhang’s narrative arc in Season 3 expands significantly, revealing deeper layers to her character and introducing her daughters, Rosie and Ginger, portrayed by Kelly Marie Tran and Louise Jiang respectively. Chao humorously recalls the amusing confusion onset when Tran and Jiang were mistaken for each other by the crew:
“We laugh about this. I don’t know if anybody’s mentioned this to you, but we laugh about it. Before she agreed to do this show, I don’t think she had closed her deal yet. Her agent asked my agent if I’d had coffee with her, and when I had coffee with her, I could tell we were going to have an interesting dynamic. And I could see that she wasn’t sure.”
The final season of Sweet Tooth challenges Mrs. Zhang in unexpected ways, forcing her to confront her beliefs and the consequences of her actions. Chao speculates on Mrs. Zhang’s unwavering resolve, despite the evolving circumstances:
“I honestly feel that there are so many parallels, but I feel that she doesn’t see them as people, and she sees them as a threat to her bloodline. It is a metaphor for a lot of things that are going on in the world, and I think sometimes, the more you have people against you, the more you dig in, and I think she’s a digger inner. She’s very absolute in her beliefs.”
As fans eagerly await the conclusion of Sweet Tooth, Chao’s portrayal of Mrs. Zhang promises to leave a lasting impact, showcasing the complexity of her character amidst the show’s rich narrative tapestry.
What are your thoughts on Mrs. Zhang’s journey in Sweet Tooth Season 3? Share your insights in the comments below as the series comes to a dramatic close.
