Vanessa Kai

VANESSA KAI is best known for her work in CWs hit series Kung Fu Most recently you can find Vanessa in a recurring role as Gisela Mott on Elsbeth starring Carrie Preston on CBS In theater Vanessa Kai was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for her performance as Ruby in the world premiere of KPOP an OffBroadway immersive musical event produced by Ars Nova Other notable credits include the world premieres of The Pain of My Belligerence at Playwrights Horizons Somebodys Daughter at Second Stage and The Architecture of Becoming at New Yorks City Center Vanessas breakthrough role came in 2020 when she was cast as PeiLing Zhang in CWs hit series Kung Fu produced by Warner Bros Her powerful portrayal of the mysterious and wise mentor to the shows protagonist Nicky Shen Olivia Liang has been praised for its depth and nuance that quickly made her a fan favorite Before Kung Fu Vanessa appeared in a number of other television series and films including New Amsterdam Orange Is the New Black The Mysteries of Laura The Blacklist Law Order Special Victims Unit and Madam Secretary A champion of new works Kai is much sought after for her collaborative spirit and her love of world building and has helped to develop new plays at New York Stage Film Public Theater SoHo Rep Roundabout Theater Company Manhattan Theatre Club Steppenwolf Theatre Eugene ONeill Theatre Two River Theater The New Group The Lark Play Development Center Baltimore Center Stage Playwrights Realm New Dramatists and many others Vanessa is a native New Yorker and a first generation Chinese American