Fans of the Disney+ period drama A Thousand Blows are in for a surprise as season two brings back a character whose story seemed to have concluded. Actor Jason Tobin reprises his role as Mr Lao, who was believed to have escaped to Liverpool after faking his death in season one.
Mr Lao, a Chinese immigrant, had been imprisoned for murdering a diplomat in revenge for the burning of his village and the deaths of his wife and child. He was rescued by Mary Carr and Alice Diamond, who orchestrated his fake death and gave him a new identity. However, the character makes an unexpected comeback in the new season.
Tobin, speaking at the London premiere, expressed his surprise at returning: “I’ve been surprised that I’m even in the show so I have no idea how this has happened.” He added that he wanted to explore how Mr Lao recovers from the devastation of season one and praised the cast and crew as “the most incredible team to work with.”
The actor, who holds a British passport but grew up in Hong Kong and started his career in America, noted that A Thousand Blows is his first British production. “It’s a crazy big circle of my life that I’m back here doing this, and I still pinch myself that I’m actually rubbing shoulders with these people,” he said.
Season two also introduces new characters, including Sophie Lyons played by Catherine McCormack and Bull Jeremy played by Ned Dennehy. The series returns on Friday, January 9, on Disney+.
