NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 08: John Cho attends the 'The Exorcist' panel during the 2017 New York Comic Con - Day 4 on October 8, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images)

Actor John Cho gave a one of a kind interview on Fox’s The Exorcist and the state of Asian American TV and Film roles today.

John Cho was truly an open book, sincere in discussing Fox’s The Exorcist and initial concerns about being part of it. How he didn’t want to see violence and harm come upon children on the series.

Cho, who plays Andrew Kim on The Exorcist, wanted the challenge of being on a horror show, to be a student of the terminology. He wanted to understand why the original Exorcist film was considered so blasphemous. Cho was thrilled about the quality of the The Exorcist television series, calling it “exceptional.”

In a unique moment, Cho candidly talked to us about the state of Asian American roles on television and film. How it’s not just about counting the number of faces you see on TV and Film but the roles themselves. One strong quote that has stayed with us ever since the interview is this one:

“At this point, it seems from my vantage point as an Asian American, you basically have to be Jackie Robinson. The best there ever was! You know … Rather than get a shot like everyone else does at playing in the majors, you have to be the best that ever played. Because the system isn’t geared to look for you, and that’s really the issue. Until the system is setup so that it looks comprehensively, then we’re not there. “

We thank John Cho for being so frank with us on both his role on Fox’s The Exorcist and beyond. An interview that will stay with us for years to come.

John Cho Interview on Fox’s The Exorcist at New York Comic Con ’17

FanSided.com – Nir Regev: John, your father was a minister, I was wondering how that ties to you now being on the The Exorcist. Is there any kind of real relationship there? I know you were really close to your father. Is that why you chose the role?

John Cho: No, no. I chose the role based upon the character they pitched to me, it was just a tremendous arc. There’s a lot of interesting things about the character. You know, I was concerned how far we’d take it, how blasphemous it would get. Network television thankfully, prevents me from going to places that I’m a little uncomfortable with.

I also didn’t want to see … I didn’t necessarily want to see violence committed upon children, that was something I was keen upon. I mean suggested, but I didn’t want to see it. Those are some areas that I was concerned about, but I’m comfortable. I’m thrilled with the results of the show. It’s hard making a show week-to-week and the quality level has been exceptional from my vantage point.

To your question … I actually have been a little stumped, saw the original movie, and stumped by why it was considered so blasphemous. I can see why but it does seem like it suggests that God is real and the devil is real which the Bible does also. You know what I’m saying? Maybe it’s just the imagery.

Media member: I know a lot of viewers are very excited about seeing you as a dad. So, can you talk about how you just mentioned about, not wanting to see violence sort-of inflicted against children? Can you talk a little about what you fraught from your own experiences as a dad and your own sort of fears to playing that on-screen?

John Cho: Yeah, it’s not like something I think about so much but it was a factor in me taking the role. I wanted to see what happened with me and children. I have found that my own experience has enriched the playing of that role. I enjoy [it], it’s something new to care about on-screen for me. Not getting the burgers but saving the children. *laughs*. For me, it’s very easy, maybe because I’m a dad, to care about children.

Media member: Is it easier to play scared as a father?

John Cho: Sure, the stakes are very high. I guess that’s the fun of the show, it’s like, what’s at stake? Your children, your soul, your life! It’s all extreme stakes, all the time.

Media member: Because the episodes are so dark, how do you cope with that season after season?

John Cho: Yeah, that’s a good question. I actually generally don’t have a problem with that but we’ve had a few … Let me tell you, these last few weeks have been so dark for me as an actor. I found that I was coming home just a little depleted, you know. Which is why I’ve started a very intense heroin habit. *smiles / deadpan joke* I’m gonna be honest it’s out of hand. *laughs*

It’s not so much the gothic visuals or whatever. It’s just you know being in peril all the time and worrying about your family members. And your soul, and the grief. You just spend time there and it’s very hard not be affected at some point.

Media member: How do you feel about the difference between your role on Sleepy Hollow, Andy [Brooks], and this one?

John Cho: To me, the difference is Andy’s world is much bigger and his character past is much broader and deeper. And he’s dealing with stuff that’s very recent and very current. I guess in some ways I didn’t regard Sleepy Hollow as a horror show. This is my first time entering a job, thinking about like a different film language. It’s one of the reasons I wanted to do it was I was curious. I wanted to learn what it was, I wanted to be in this world.

It’s been very interesting to me to pick up the vocabulary of the genre, and to learn it how it affects your performance. Yeah, I’ve just been a student on this.

FS: You’ve previously spoken at length about the roles of Asian Americans in film. How they’re relegated to certain roles. You actually turned down a voice acting opportunity a few years ago because they wanted you do an Asian accent. And you didn’t like the idea of kids indirectly potentially making a connection to laughing at that.

Recently, a fellow actress in Chloe Bennet, did an entire interview about how she was discriminated against in film until she changed her last name. I was wondering your thoughts on that? Essentially, do you think a last name still makes a difference in the audition world?

John Cho: I have no experience from which to speak of about that. I’ve always had an Asian last name and an Asian face. So I’ve never been able to deceive anyone. *laughs*

FS: Do you feel acting roles are improving for Asian Americans or do you feel it’s mostly stayed stagnant?

John Cho: Here’s the deal, there are more Asians on television. The question is, what are they doing on television and in film? And the second level of question, would be, is there a system in place in which Asians are considered for lead roles and are written for? I would say no. That is the problem. It’s not so much counting the number of faces and seeing an uptake. I think Chris Rock once said, “what you really want is an opportunity to be terrible.”

At this point, it seems from my vantage point as an Asian American, you basically have to be Jackie Robinson. The best there ever was! You know … Rather than get a shot like everyone else does at playing in the majors, you have to be the best that ever played. Because the system isn’t geared to look for you, and that’s really the issue. Until the system is setup so that it looks comprehensively, then we’re not there.

So, it’s not so much results based. It’s like, what is the process? I think people watch shows on television, and count faces and think, “Oh, that’s better!” That may be true today and it may not be true tomorrow, season to season.

FS: Thank you!

John Cho: Thanks!

Fox’s The Exorcist: Air time and trailer

Catch John Cho as Andrew Kim on Fox’s The Exorcist each Friday at 9 p.m. Eastern/8 Central time.