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Derek Mio

Derek Mio

Derek Mio is an actor who portrays Chester Nakayama on The Terror: Infamy. Mio is an Asian-American actor based out of Huntington Beach, California. He has had roles in a number of different television series. He also worked as a production assistant on the film I Thought of You.[1]

Mio's role as Nakayama is the lead character in The Terror: Infamy.[2] He has stated in regards to the series that he's excited to see audiences being told an Asian-American story on mainstream television.[3] The series has a personal resonance for Mio because, like his character Chester Nakayama, his grandfather lived on Terminal Island in California and was sent to a Japanese internment camp.[4] He stated that "When I learned the show was following a group of Japanese Americans from Terminal Island, I was shocked. My grandfather grew up in Terminal Island, then was sent off to Manzanar, one of the camps, during the war. This was absolutely personal."[5] In researching for the role, Mio discovered a preservation project of Terminal Islanders online and found testimonies from his great-grandmother and aunt.[6]

Mio became star-struck working with George Takei during the series, considering him a legend. In response, Takei told him that someday people would say the same thing about him, "I can't believe I acted with Derek Mio."[7]

Mio described his role on the series as "once in a lifetime," and also was delighted work with director Ridley Scott, whom he considers one of the greatest directors living today and a personal favorite.[8] He also described the series as unlike anything else that viewers have seen on television, stating that they would be scared, thrilled, and on the edge of their seats.[9]

Selected filmography[]

  • The Emoji Movie - voice of the Elephant
  • Spooked - Elliot
  • Greek - Wade Matthews (Television, starring role)

External links[]

Notes and references[]

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