Who is Isabella Wei, Hong Kong’s rising star on Netflix’s 1899? The 18-year-old actress playing Ling Yi will also appear in The Crow reboot opposite Bill Skarsgård and FKA Twigs

Nov 28, 2022

Isabella Wei is Hong Kong’s rising star who starred in Netflix hit series 1899 as “Geisha” Ling Yi, which garnered positive reviews from fans worldwide. Photo: @izabearlur/Instagram

Isabella Wei just made her TV acting debut in Netflix’s German mystery sci-fi series 1899 – recently ranked No 2 most-watched globally, behind The Crown – and already has rave reviews

The multitalented Chinese International School graduate made her start in theatre and dance, busting moves to Chris Brown’s music on her Instagram page, and seems to love travel and sports too

The much-anticipated German mystery sci-fi 1899 was finally released on Netflix on November 17 – and fans can’t get enough. The series ranked second among the platform’s most-watched films and TV shows globally from November 14 to 20, garnering over 79 million hours of viewing time at the time of writing, bested only by The Crown.

Isabella Wei made her acting debut in Netflix series 1899. Photo: @izabearlur/Instagram

The show revolves around a crew of immigrants who travel from London to New York in the year of 1899 and experience a mysterious event during their journey. Helmed by duo Baran Bo Odar and Jantje Friese, who created Netflix’s hit series Dark (2017), the show also features a roster of talented actors – including Isabella Wei who plays the enigmatic Ling Yi, a Hong Kong teenager who dons a geisha disguise.

So, what do we know about Hong Kong’s rising star?

She is a professional dancer …

She knows she can dance! Isabella Wei is well-versed in ballet, contemporary dance, jazz and hip-hop. Photo: @izabearlur/Instagram

According to TMH Management, the 18-year-old is a gifted dancer who specialises in general movement, ballet, contemporary dance, hip-hop and even jazz choreography.

She can be seen busting some moves on her Instagram page, grooving to hip-hop tunes from Chris Brown to Dreya Mac. Wei also took part in the Dance World Cup 2018 for Asia.

… and a theatre actress

Isabella Wei grew up on the theatre stage as a dancer as well as an actress. Photo: @izabearlur/Instagram