Exclusive Insights: Behind the Scenes of Warrior Season 3 with EPs Jonathan Tropper & Shannon Lee

Warrior is a series that follows the story of Ah Sahm, a prodigy martial artist, as he navigates the Tong Wars in 1870s San Francisco. His journey begins when he travels to America in search of his sister but ends up getting involved in the conflict between powerful Tongs in Chinatown. In Season 3, tensions between the Irish and Chinese communities escalate following race riots. Ah Sahm is confronted with his hidden past, struggles to find his place in the Tongs, and becomes a local legend in Chinatown.

Created by Jonathan Trooper, Warrior is based on an original idea by the renowned Bruce Lee. Shannon Lee, Bruce Lee's daughter, serves as an executive producer alongside Evan Endicott, Josh Stoddard, and Justin Lin. The series stars Andrew Koji, Olivia Cheng, Jason Tobin, Dianne Doan, Kieran Bew, Dean Jagger, Hoon Lee, and Joanna Vanderham.

Screen Rant spoke with executive producers Jonathan Trooper and Shannon Lee to get exciting insights into Warrior season 3. Trooper sheds light on his comeback after a hiatus of over two years, emphasizing the intriguing dynamic between Ah Toy and Nellie. Meanwhile, Lee delves deep into the adrenaline-pumping fight sequence that captivated viewers in Warrior season 2, while also teasing the development of Richard Lee's character in the highly anticipated season 3.

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Jonathan Trooper & Shannon Lee On Warrior Season 3

Screen Rant has deemed this television show the best there is. It is undeniably phenomenal, and the conclusion of season 2 was nothing short of incredible. The ninth episode, in particular, deserves a spoiler alert for those who haven't watched it yet. It circles back to where it all began, with the execution of Jacob, ultimately serving as the catalyst for Season 3. For both of you, which aspects of these characters' journeys in Season 3 are you most eager for fans to witness?

Jonathan Trooper: After a long hiatus, we have returned with a renewed determination to prove ourselves. The green light we received two and a half years later fueled our desire to earn our place retroactively. This time, we have even more ambition than before. Prepare to witness more elaborate fight sequences and complex storylines. We will take you on journeys to unexplored territories.

This season is undoubtedly the most intricately crafted in terms of story. Emotionally, it packs the strongest punch and showcases some of our finest fighting. In fact, we believe it features the best fighting ever seen on television, considering our already high standard.

Yeah, I don't know how they manage to escalate the intensity of the fights on this show, but what's really great is that the writing never gets overshadowed. It's like the fights are a seamless extension of the storytelling. Let's talk about Season 2 as a prime example, specifically the Ah Sahm versus Leary fight. Can you describe the sheer intensity of these fight scenes? I was told that Andrew really outdid himself with this one.

Shannon Lee: Oh yeah, I actually witnessed the filming of that fight scene on set. It took place at night, and let me tell you, Andrew and Dean are exceptional actors. Their dedication and skill in performing their own stunts is truly remarkable. In that particular scene you mentioned, the chemistry and energy between them, along with the presence of all the extras, was electrifying. Every single person on set was fully immersed in it, even late into the night.

I believe their performances as actors are exceptional, as they effectively convey the emotions and the essence of their characters in all the fight scenes. Throughout the show, we strive to make the action a reflection of the characters, their story, and the circumstances they face. Whenever there is action on set, it brings an added energy. Despite the exhaustion and time-consuming nature of filming, there is also an inherent joy that permeates everything.

Now, let's delve into some of the character arcs, if we may touch on a few. I must admit, there are numerous journeys and I may not cover them all, but I'll give it a shot. So, to begin with, I want to discuss how well the female characters are portrayed in this show. They are all strong individuals. Specifically, I'd like to focus on Ah Toy and Nellie. When Ah Toy encounters Nellie, it seems as though she finally believes she can leave Chinatown behind and relinquish her role as a warrior. Can you elaborate on the journeys of these two characters throughout either Season 2 or Season 3?

Jonathan Trooper emphasizes the complexity of the relationship between the two women in the context of not only their shared experiences and deep connection but also the additional challenges posed by their interracial dynamic and racially strained period. Despite their love for one another, their contrasting perspectives and ingrained assumptions create conflicts and hinder their ability to fully understand each other. Season 3 delves into their arduous journey of navigating these issues, acknowledging that their love alone cannot resolve the disparities they face.

Talking about love and navigating through its complexities is Richard Lee. Let's take a moment to discuss his character because he has undergone significant transformation from Season 1 to Season 3. Shannon, can you touch upon the development of Richard Lee's character and the unexpected bond he forms with Chao in Season 3, without revealing any spoilers?

Shannon Lee: Jonathan is better suited to discuss characters without giving anything away, but I believe Season 3 features numerous brilliant pairings, including this one. Both Richard and Chao are grappling with their own challenges in different ways, yet they find themselves in a similar situation and eventually become unlikely allies. Through their journeys, we witness a more vulnerable side of Chao.

We have caught brief glimpses of it before, but now we have the opportunity to delve even deeper and truly understand what lies at the core of Richard Lee as a character and what love truly means to him. It's something we've always had a sense of, but now it's being brought to the forefront. Jonathan, do you have anything to add to that?

Yes, absolutely. I thought that was incredibly well put. One interesting aspect about Lee is that he is perhaps the only white character who is not racist. That's not to say that he will automatically like every Chinese person he meets. In fact, his relationship with Chao has been anything but friendly up until now. Even when they are forced to work together, there is an intriguing tension between them. Both offscreen, Ah Sahm and Leary, and Lee and Chao, are actually good friends. This friendship off camera only adds to the intense friction we see on screen.

The show will air on June 29th and I'm really excited for people to see it. I'm hoping for a Season 4 and I actually want this show to continue indefinitely. Can you please confirm if there will be a Season 4?

About Warrior Season 3

Following the race riots, the Irish and Chinese communities remain locked in escalating tension, exacerbated by new legislations specifically aimed at the Chinese population. Ah Sahm has now attained legendary status within Chinatown, symbolized by a grand portrait of himself. Nevertheless, he grapples with the dichotomy between the heroic figure his people admire and the criminal nature of his own pursuits.

Explore our additional interviews with the cast and crew of Warrior season 3 here:

Andrew Koji & Jason Tobin

Dianne Doan, Olivia Cheng & Hoon Lee

Josh Stoddard & Evan Endicott

Warrior season 3 debuts on Max June 29.