Love is blind, but is Aussie casting?

You’d think with a long list of prominent roles in films such as The Matrix sequels and Little Fish, an actor of Asian descent such as Anthony Brandon Wong wouldn’t have any problem being cast as a variety of characters.

But even with a role in Steven Soderbergh’s upcoming film, Haywire, alongside the likes of Michael Douglas and Ewan McGregor, Sydney-born Wong is incredibly grateful to Malthouse Theatre’s new artistic director, Marion Potts, for casting him in her first production of the 2011 season.

“I’ve wanted to go thank [Potts] for casting an Asian actor in a role that’s for a Spaniard – she wouldn’t see that as anything to be thanked for, that’s just how she thinks; she’s very progressive in that way,” he said.

“But it’s an unusual thing to happen in Australian theatre, film or television.”

Now LA-based, Wong said that while the US wasn’t perfect in regards to their approach to casting either, he saw a vast different between their strong charter to overturn racial stereotyping as opposed to Australia.

“In America, colour-blind casting is much more the excepted norm but we’re still, in Australia, looking to fully embrace that norm.”

As well as successfully infiltrating Hollywood in his five years of residence there, Wong’s also engaged politically as a strong supporter of the repeal of California’s same-sex marriage ban, Proposition 8.

“Prop 8 was shocking to California, because one assumes internationally that California is very liberal. So I went to those protests and marched – I’m very much involved in projects that speak out against discrimination or abuse,” he said.

No stranger to television as well as film and theatre, Wong even landed a guest role on series two of Glee late last year.

“It was a great opportunity to work with Matthew Morrison and Chris Colfer – who is extremely talented. I was so glad he won that Golden Globe, it was well deserved,” he said.

Wong clearly had faith in Potts’ epic adaptation of John Ford’s 400-year old work, ditching the busy pilot season in the US for the Melbourne production and admitting he barely read three pages of the play before realising he had to be part of it.

“It’s a very dangerous, provocative and controversial story of forbidden lust and revenge,” Wong said.

“It has the body count of a Quentin Tarantino movie and more deceit and backstabbing than a whole season of Melrose Place.”

‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore is at Malthouse’s Merlyn Theatre until March 5. Bookings: malthousetheatre.com.au or 03 9685 5111.