Interview with Ariana Hardie

LA Today
11 minutes ago
4 min read

The Mandarin-Speaking, Scottish Actress That's Breaking Global Barriers in Hollywood

From the Scottish Highlands to vertical dramas in China and now making waves in LA, Ariana Hardie is redefining what it means to be a global artist in today's entertainment industry. The newly minted SAG-AFTRA member—who speaks fluent Mandarin and produced her first project before age 25—is bridging East and West with a fearless work ethic and a vision that goes far beyond the screen.

7 QUESTIONS

WITH ARIANA HARDIE

1. Thank you for your time today, Ariana! What made a Scottish girl from a small town near Edinburgh decide to move to China straight after high school?

Thank you so much for your time, it's lovely to speak with you today!

I moved to China the Summer I graduated high school. It was a very interesting time in my life. In my final year of high school, I was fortunate enough to be granted a scholarship with the Confucius Institute to study Mandarin in China for a year. Growing up I wasn't necessarily gifted at learning languages, but I loved school and focused basically all my time on my studies.

My first few months in China were really special. A lot of new, but certainly challenging experiences, for a 17 year old. I ended up falling in love with China—I loved the culture, language, food, the people. Everything just felt so unique.

I loved the challenge and adventure of learning about a totally new culture and language. I decided to pursue my studies further and went on to obtain a First Class Degree in Mandarin with Business and Economics (which was taught in Mandarin). After graduating, I decided to re-focus my attention on my lifelong passion—Acting. I now spend my time between LA, Beijing and the UK.

2. You're fluent in Mandarin and trained in movie martial arts in China; how do these skills give you an edge as an actor in Hollywood?

I've spent almost 9 years of my life dedicated to learning Mandarin, speaking it every single day. Being fluent in multiple languages allows me to expand the range of stories and characters I can authentically portray. It also allows me to work across international productions, make more meaningful connections and bring cultural nuance to roles that might otherwise feel surface-level. Living overseas away for so many years has also allowed me to become extremely adaptable.

My martial arts training has also taught me a lot. It taught me how to bring discipline to everything I do. It also taught me how to tell a story through physical movement in front of the camera.

I think both of these skills represent a unique type of work ethic. I love learning new skills and building my craft and I'm willing to give it my everything.

3. You produced your first short film "Good People" last November; what was the biggest lesson you learned stepping into the producer role?

Producing Good People was a totally new experience for me which I am very grateful for. It taught me just how much responsibility lives behind the camera. Preparation is everything. No matter how creative your vision is, if the logistics aren't solid, everything else can fall apart quickly.

I also learned how important it is to trust your team. Listening, staying flexible, and problem-solving on the spot became daily skills. That experience gave me a deeper respect for producers and made me a more collaborative actor.

4. Congratulations on joining SAG-AFTRA! What did that milestone mean to you personally and professionally?

Thank you so much! I'm still finishing up some paperwork but it honestly feels like a dream. Personally, it feels like validation for all the hard work, auditions, rejections, and persistence it took to get to where I am today.

As a Scottish Actor it wasn't the most straight forward process but now it feels even more exciting and motivating. I can't wait for what the future holds!

5. You've worked across three continents and done vertical dramas in China; how is the entertainment industry different in China versus LA?

In China, especially with vertical dramas, the process moves extremely fast. Content is produced quickly to meet high demand, and there's a strong emphasis on viewer engagement and trending topics. The market is very data-driven—views, shares, and audience feedback can immediately impact a project's direction. It's also more common to shoot long hours and work on tight schedules, which really tests your adaptability.

In other places like LA or the UK, the process feels more layered and collaborative. There's more time spent on development, auditions, table reads, and character work before cameras even roll. Unions, contracts, and regulations play a bigger role, which creates a more structured work environment. There's also a strong focus on storytelling depth and character arcs.

Both industries taught me different things. China sharpened my work ethic and speed, while LA deepened my understanding of craft and professionalism. Having experience in both worlds helps me stay flexible and bring a global perspective to my work.

6. Your background blends East and West, business and art; where do you see your unique path taking your career in the next 5 years?

My main goal is to take on more complex, layered roles in film and television—especially in projects that explore identity, culture, and human connection. I want to portray unique characters and bring meaning to the stories I’m telling.

I’d also love to work on international co-productions where my language skills and cultural experience can really add value. I would love to be more involved in shaping projects from the ground up. Long term, I’d love to create opportunities for underrepresented voices and help bring global stories to mainstream platforms.