Unveiling Warrior Season 3: Unearthing the Bittersweet Journey of Josh Stoddard & Evan Endicott

Warrior is set in San Francisco in the 1870s, amidst the Tong Wars. The story follows Ah Sahm, a martial arts prodigy who travels to America in search of his sister but ends up being sold to one of Chinatown's most powerful Tongs. Season 3 takes place after the race riots in Chinatown, as Ah Sahm grapples with his newfound status as a local hero while facing threats to his position within the Tong and his own life.

This action-packed series was inspired by an original idea from the iconic Bruce Lee. Bruce's daughter, Shannon Lee, brings his vision to life as an executive producer, alongside Jonathan Trooper, Evan Endicott, Josh Stoddard, and Justin Lee. Warrior features a talented cast including Andrew Koji, Olivia Cheng, Jason Tobin, Dianne Doan, Kieran Bew, Dean Jagger, Hoon Lee, and Joanna Vanderham.

Screen Rant spoke with showrunners and writers Josh Stoddard and Evan Endicott about

Josh Stoddard & Evan Endicott On Warrior Season 3

Guys, I just wanted to commend you on the exceptional work you've done with this show, Warrior! It is truly extraordinary in every aspect. I must say, episode 9 of the previous season, the one featuring Jacob, left a lasting impression on me. It acted as a powerful catalyst for many significant developments that followed. Could you please share a bit about that particular episode?

Evan Endicott: That episode seems to be a favorite among many. Let me quickly share my observations before handing it over to Josh. It was a beautiful collaboration as it started with a historical event that inspired us, which was mentioned early in our season 2 discussions. Despite having only five weeks to plan the entire season, we made sure to include it as an important milestone.

Because we were all deeply invested in it, we had plenty of great ideas that emerged rapidly. For instance, we decided to incorporate a flashback from Jacob's point of view to continue the story. Additionally, the director, Dennie Gordon, recognized the uniqueness of this episode and worked closely with our second unit team to make it truly exceptional.

I don't recall ever having so many cameras on set as we did for the riot scene. The actors and performers also experienced the intensity of the moment. It felt like a special occasion where everyone wanted to bring their best performance. The emotion was palpable. The tribute to Bruce Lee, with Ah Sahm using nunchucks in the midst of the emotionally charged event, was uncertain whether it would work. However, when it happened, it was mind-blowing. It was one of those fortunate occurrences in filmmaking where everyone was at their best, and witnessing the final product was awe-inspiring. I honestly didn't expect it to turn out that good.

Josh Stoddard: I distinctly remember being on set the day we filmed the lynching scene for Jacob's character. It was an incredibly intense and heavy day. It's the kind of imagery no one wants to see or even consider. Although we were just acting, the weight and horror of the scene was undeniable. Part of me wondered if it was wise to include it in the final cut.

Perhaps this isn't the course of action we desire. Maybe we should refrain, but that's not the focal point of the show or this particular episode. The atmosphere on set that day was incredibly intense, with absolute silence hanging in the air. The impact was so powerful that some individuals were moved to tears. Our crew from Cape Town were particularly emotionally affected by the experience, yet we all recognized the significance and necessity of what we were doing. It was a deeply profound day on set.

We witness Sergeant Bill aligning himself with the Chinese, and this does not sit well with Leary. In season 3, we will delve into his journey towards redemption. Could you share some insights about Sergeant Bill's trajectory this season?

Evan Endicott: We wanted to give Bill a deeply personal narrative. As the seasons progress, we wanted to delve into the emotional lives of the characters. It was essential for us to avoid endlessly repeating the dynamic between Bill and Lee, even though we enjoy watching them together. Therefore, we aimed to find something fresh and different for Bill, allowing him to grow and develop.

Confronting the new captain and standing up against the mayor presented a unique challenge for Bill. It was exciting to see him operate in a new environment. Kieran Bew, an exceptional actor, brought these scenes to life and made us genuinely care about the character. The climax of his fight is personally one of my favorite moments of the entire season. This opportunity allowed us to showcase Bill as an individual, battling his inner demons.

Josh Stoddard believes that by the end of the season, Bill will be involved in helping Leary cover up a murder, which will have severe consequences for him going forward. Stoddard thinks that Kieran is at his best when he is conflicted morally, physically injured, and vulnerable, as those are the moments that showcase the best of Bill's character.

At the end of the previous season, Mai Ling shocked Young Jun by revealing that she and Ah Sahm are siblings. This season, we will witness how this newfound relationship between Ah Sahm and Mai Ling affects their dynamic. Additionally, we will see how it impacts the relationship between Young Jun and Ah Sahm.

Evan Endicott: I don't want to spoil anything for those who haven't seen it yet, but I believe that the foundation of this season is centered around Ah Sahm's loyalty to his Tong and his family. His initial reason for coming to America was to find Mai Ling, and their relationship has been strained since then. This season, he is faced with the challenge of reconciling that relationship and determining what truly matters to him. Although Mai Ling has been harsh towards him, he has also made mistakes, resulting in a lot of animosity between them. It's fascinating to see them navigate their relationship and find a way forward.

I must say, you guys do an exceptional job in portraying strong female characters on television. I'd like to mention Ah Toy and Nellie for a moment, as Ah Toy has the opportunity to break free from Chinatown and leave it all behind. However, unexpected events occur in season 3.

Josh Stoddard: It was essential for us to soften Ah Toy's heart a bit and give her a chance to dream, despite her toughness and the challenges she has faced. We wanted Nellie's presence in her world to achieve this. However, it turns out to be devastating for Ah Toy when her hopes are shattered. We wanted to provide all of our characters with a glimmer of hope followed by a disappointment, which would strengthen them for the battles ahead. Despite the difficulty of watching it all unfold, Olivia's exceptional acting skills and her embodiment of the character make it a compelling and thrilling experience.

In season 1, my favorite episode was the Wild West episode when they visited Nevada. In season 2, everyone was taken to Mexico for a fight tournament outside of Chinatown. I'm curious to see where season 3 will take us.

Evan Endicott: There are some captivating locations in store, but I don't want to give away too much. Each season, we like to include an episode that breaks the mold and takes the characters out of Chinatown. In this season, Ah Sahm and Young Jun find themselves making a deal for silver at a peculiar church camp run by German brothers, where they encounter trouble.

We will also be exploring the American South, a significant location in our country's history of racism and oppression, which the show thoroughly examines. This connects with Lee's backstory, a topic that has been hinted at since season 1 and one that we wanted to delve into further. This leads to an unexpected partnership that takes us on a journey to Georgia. These are the major changes that move us away from California and Chinatown.

I could talk to you indefinitely. Although our time is up, I would love to discuss Hong. I am a passionate fan of this show and hope it continues indefinitely. Thank you so much for creating this incredible piece of work.

Josh Stoddard expresses gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of the show and considers it an immense honor. He sincerely thanks the person.

Evan Endicott acknowledges the importance of passionate fans in keeping the show alive and appreciates their advocacy.

About Warrior Season 3

Stay tuned for more interviews with the cast of Warrior season 3, including updates on the escalating tensions between the Irish and Chinese communities following the race riots and the introduction of new laws specifically aimed at the Chinese community. Meanwhile, Ah Sahm finds himself caught between the image of a revered figure in Chinatown and the reality of his involvement in the criminal underworld.

Dianne Doan, Olivia Cheng & Hoon Lee

Andrew Koji & Jason Tobin

Jonathan Trooper & Shannon Lee

Warrior season 3 debuts on Max June 29.