Transformers Prime's Sumalee Montano & Tania Gunadi Interviews

How would you describe Miko? What is your favorite aspect of the character? Could you tell us any more about her character and how you approached the role?

Miko is a 15 year old Japanese girl who loves her freedom! She loves adventures, punk clothing, playing guitar, hangin’ out with Bulkhead at Monster Truck Rallies, and of course, she loves inviting herself to go on any and all missions with the Autobots- especially the dangerous ones. Ha! Not to mention, she very much likes to break rules. Hmm..I’m kinda’ like that too, a bit, so my approach to the role was to have as much fun as I could possibly have leading up to and throughout each recording session!

Arcee is very different than many fans expected. She's tough, haunted, caring, smart and fierce all in one package. Did you expect such nuance in the character when you originally read for her? Is there anything of yourself that you have injected into the character to add a layer to her personality?

Based on the audition script I was given, I didn’t anticipate such a cool exploration of her haunted past. But I love that we got a chance to live through it, so people can really understand where she’s coming from and how her character grows.

I think an actor necessarily injects who he/she is into every character. That’s the beauty of it. No two actors can ever play the same role in the same way, because we’re all different. If I’m doing my job right, there is quite a bit of me in Arcee. Not all of me, of course, but definitely certain parts. I love her determination, her sassiness, and her vulnerability. I think you really see that human aspect of her through her relationship with Jack and how much she cares about him.