Actor Charithra Chandran says working on One Piece has become a major part of her life at the moment. The British actor of Indian origin appears in Season 2 of the popular Netflix series as Nefertari Vivi, also known as Miss Wednesday, an undercover princess central to the Alabasta storyline.
Best known to many viewers for playing Edwina Sharma in Bridgerton, Chandran recently spoke about her experience joining the world of One Piece, which is based on the iconic manga created by Eiichiro Oda.
‘One Piece is currently my entire life’
Talking about the highlights of filming the latest season, Chandran said the most memorable part has been the friendships formed on set.
According to the actor, some of the relationships she built while working on the show are likely to last a lifetime. Another major highlight for her has been portraying Vivi, a character she believes has deeply influenced her personally. She also described the filming locations as inspiring and unforgettable.
Speaking about how the role has affected her personally, Chandran admitted that she tends to absorb elements of the characters she plays.
She said she learns something from every role and feels especially inspired by Vivi’s courage and determination. The character’s resilience, she noted, has motivated her to be braver in her own life as well.
Discovering the world of One Piece
Interestingly, Chandran revealed that she was not familiar with the anime before landing the role.
However, once she began working on the series, she realised how massive and influential the franchise is. Now that she is fully immersed in the One Piece universe, she says she notices references to it everywhere and understands why it has such a passionate global fanbase.
Facing criticism over casting
Chandran’s casting as Vivi sparked some criticism online from fans who felt the character did not resemble the anime design. The actor acknowledged the backlash but also emphasised the support she received from the team.
She said it meant a lot when the show’s creator Eiichiro Oda and her co-stars publicly defended her casting. That support, she explained, helped her feel safe and confident while working on the role.
Life on the One Piece set
Describing the atmosphere during filming, Chandran said the cast maintains a balance between serious work and having fun. While the team remains highly focused and prepared during shoots, the show’s whimsical nature also encourages creativity and playfulness.
Reflecting on her acting journey
Looking back on her career so far, Chandran said landing a role in Bridgerton early in her career was a major milestone.
Despite the scale of the projects she has been part of, she tries to stay grounded and view acting simply as her profession. Once filming wraps and the director calls “cut,” she believes the outcome is largely out of the actor’s hands.
For Chandran, the focus remains on doing the best work possible and hoping that audiences connect with the final result.
