Kitamura was born and raised in Hong Kong, but spends much of her time now in the United States, where she is soaking up the success of Dead Boy Detectives, the hit supernatural adventure series that dropped on Netflix last month.
Kitamura plays Niko Sasaki, a Japanese student who is investigated by the supernatural sleuths after being plagued by paranormal parasites.
“I don’t believe in ghosts – I don’t invite that energy around me – but I do believe in karma,” she says. “It’s important to treat others with kindness in the way that you would want to be treated.”
Kitamura, 26, says she has learned a lot from playing Niko. “I can be sarcastic and cynical, but Niko’s softness, quiet confidence and whimsical optimism left such an imprint on me during and after filming,” she says.
Niko is empathetic and kind. Sensitivity is her superpower.
“Women are championed to be outspoken and bold, and that’s important, but so can being soft and kind and sensitive in a world that feels dark and daunting.
“Niko is light in the darkness, whether that be a comedic moment, supporting her friends through tough times, or truly just the vibrant clothes that she wears,” says Kitamura, adding she was careful to not let the character become a caricature.
What also resonated with Kitamura was the question of identity.
“Hong Kong has played such a pivotal role in my own identity and how I see myself,” she says. “If I was born and raised in Japan, I don’t think I would be the person that I am today.
“Being open-minded and accepting of others is something that comes naturally when you’ve been surrounded by different languages and cuisines – I never understood the feeling of not accepting other cultures,” says Kitamura, who grew up in Kowloon Tong, in Kowloon.
Dream chasing was encouraged by her parents, a rare thing, she adds, in a city that places high value on high achievers. “A lot of parents still want their children to follow a traditional career path,” she says.
And that path has similarities to her father’s. He was also born in Hong Kong, and both attended international schools – Beacon Hill School and King George V School (KGV) – before furthering their studies in the US.
“My fourth-grade teacher was my dad’s sixth-grade teacher, so there was even that parallel. It was fun growing up with that connection.”
Her father helped her land the role of Niko by helping her with her audition.
The experience, she says, was equally wonderful and mortifying. “Having to act in front of a parent in an audition setting was weird. And he gave me notes – that was horrifying to me,” she laughs.
Horrifying maybe, but it worked. “I really am here because of my parents, because of my dad … he was so crucial to me getting the part,” says Kitamura, who is one of three siblings in a sports-loving family.
“I used to swim and then I went through a rugby phase. I played rugby specifically so I could get tickets to the [Hong Kong] Rugby Sevens [tournament] without having to haggle with anybody.”
“It was a safe and wonderful environment [in which] to explore theatre outside of school,” says Kitamura, adding that she later returned there to teach. “I love seeing children explore what it means to be creative and to get a chance to be self-expressive.”
New York was always in her sights, even at a young age. “I was about 10 when I Googled ‘best drama schools in the world’ and New York University [NYU] was on it … I was obsessed with New York and the idea of studying acting.”
Obsession became reality: Kitamura graduated from NYU Tisch School of the Arts in 2019.
“I’m passionate about working with the youth and have always been very passionate about mental health,” says Kitamura, who has collaborated with Hong Kong non-profit KELY Support Group, where she has shared her own mental health struggles.
With teenagers as the target audience, Dead Boy Detectives is the perfect portal to explore serious topics, from mental health and stalking to bullying and domestic violence.
“Gaiman is one of the best graphic novelists in the world and Steve Yockey created such a modern yet colourful, exciting show – it has been such a dream project.
“It was like an actor’s playground to pretend that there were giant eyeballs looking down at you and talking cats around you. But the show is more than amazing visual effects and a larger-than-life world – it is also about humanity and the relationship between the characters.”
For now, Kitamura is living in the moment. “I’m soaking in how grateful I am that this has been my first opportunity. I’m out in LA taking meetings and learning more about the industry.”
Creating stories about Hong Kong is also on her radar. “I really do call Hong Kong home and I wouldn’t be the person I am today if I hadn’t grown up there,” she reiterates.
Championing diversity in the entertainment industry is also part of the bigger plan.
“We’ve had enough outdated characters in our history of media, so I’m excited about international work and sharing stories about people from all over the world, and not just one specific part,” she says.
“I also want to direct and produce more, but acting will always be my first love.”